Certification Process Checklist
INITIAL PHASE
1. Become a member of a CPSP Chapter:
Complete New Member Data Form (cpspdirectory.org) and send it to
Krista Argiropolis, Administrative Coordinator (krista@cpsp.org)
Pay annual dues ($75, due Jan. 1)
Attend Chapter meetings (member in good standing)
2. Education, Training & Endorsements:
Education consistent with the required educational level for certification
sought; or equivalencies (CPSP Standards 310 & 320)
Clinical training consistent with the required level of training for the
certification sought; or equivalencies (CPSP Standards 310 & 320)
Ecclesiastical endorsement from the candidate’s faith group for the
ministry which certification is sought when ecclesiastical endorsement is a
normal practice of the candidate’s faith group.
Reciprocity: Candidates who hold certification with other cognate groups
may become certified with CPSP via our reciprocity process.
Reciprocity is not automatic nor is it guaranteed.
3. Submit materials to Chapter for review. (Note: Certification forms or facesheets are
not required until much later in the process.):
Diplomate in CPE/CPT Supervision certification (Section 440 of the CPSP Standards):
440.1 An comprehensive autobiographical sketch, not to exceed ten
pages, outlining the candidate’s own pilgrimage, including how his/her
psychotherapeutic journey impacts upon his/her understanding and
practice of clinical pastoral supervision.
440.2 Audio or video recordings of two complete supervisory
sessions (one individual and one group) along with the candidate’s brief
assessment of each session.
440.3 A comprehensive theory paper of sufficient length to
demonstrate the integration of personal, professional, and clinical
competency addressing theories of personality, education, and theology.
440.4 A recording of a portion of a supervisory session not more than
15 minutes in length (to be played during the certification review) along
with a theory integration paper demonstrating the integration of
personality and educational theories, theology, and the candidate’s
personal journey.
440.5 The syllabus of an entire CPE/CPT unit supervised by the
candidate.
440.6 Final evaluations written by the candidate of all trainees who
participated in the candidate’s supervised CPE/CPT unit.
440.7 Final evaluations written by the trainees who participated in the
entire candidate’s supervised CPE/CPT units.
440.8 Final evaluations of the candidate’s SIT process written by the
candidate and the training supervisor.
440.9 Evidence of ecclesiastical endorsement if appropriate (see
310.3)
Diplomate in Pastoral Psychotherapy (Section 540 of the CPSP Standards):
540.1 An comprehensive autobiographical sketch.
540.2 Audio or video recordings of two complete psychotherapy
sessions along with the candidate’s brief assessment of each session.
540.3 A comprehensive theory paper of sufficient length to
demonstrate the integration of personal, professional, and clinical
competency addressing theories of personality, psychology, and
theology.
540.4 A recording of a portion of a psychotherapy session not more
than 15 minutes in length (to be played during the certification review)
along with a theory integration paper demonstrating the integration of
personality and psychological theories, theology, and the candidate’s
personal journey.
540.5 Final evaluations of the candidate’s training process written by
the candidate and the training supervisor.
540.6 Evidence of ecclesiastical endorsement if appropriate (see
310.3)
Clinical Chaplain/Associate Clinical Chaplain (Section 640 of the CPSP Standards):
640.1 A comprehensive autobiographical sketch.
640.2 Two case studies demonstrating recent clinical work.
640.3 A comprehensive theory paper of sufficient length to
demonstrate the integration of personal, professional, and clinical
competency addressing theory and theology of pastoral care and
counseling.
640.4 Evidence of ecclesiastical endorsement if appropriate (see
310.3)
Pastoral Counselor/Associate Pastoral Counselor (Section 740 of the CPSP Standards):
740.1 Comprehensive autobiographical sketch.
740.2 Two case studies demonstrating recent clinical work.
740.3 Comprehensive theory paper of sufficient length to
demonstrate the integration of personal, professional, and clinical
competency addressing theory and theology of pastoral care and
counseling.
740.4 Evidence of ecclesiastical endorsement, if appropriate (see
310.3).
Hospice & Palliative Care/Associate Hospice & Palliative Care (Section 830 of the CPSP
Standards):
830.1.2 Completed Hospice and Palliative Care Subspecialty Form.
830.1.3 Appropriate supervisor’s, mentor’s, or official’s evaluation.
830.1.4 Candidate’s self-evaluation of participation in CPE subspecialty
unit, alternative mentoring program, or work place subspecialty
experience.
830.1.5 An integration paper written by the candidate addressing his or
her competence in each of the above standards (including clinical
examples).
Clinically Trained Ministers (Section 930 of the CPSP Standards)
930.1 Comprehensive autobiographical sketch.
930.2 Two case studies demonstrating recent clinical work
930.3 A comprehensive theory paper of sufficient length to
demonstrate the integration of personal, professional, and clinical
competency competence, addressing the theory and theology of
pastoral care and counseling.
930.4 Evidence of ecclesiastical endorsement if appropriate (¶ 310.3).
4. Additional required materials from Chapter (talk to your convener and/or Chapter
for their requirements). Use the space below for your notes:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
5. Meet with Chapter to review certification materials
Date/Time/Location of meeting: ________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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If further professional preparation and development is needed, the chapter
will continue to support and guide the candidate in addressing any
deficiencies
Once the candidate and chapter agree, the chapter can offer another review
process to determine readiness for phase two of the process.
6. Candidate’s chapter has at least four certified members of the chapter holding the
same certification the candidate seeks
No – Regional Representative from the Certification Team will assist
Chapter with connecting candidates with an appropriate Chapter for the
review process
Yes – Regional Representative from the Certification Team will assist
Chapter with the next step
7. Chapter Certification Report Form/Reciprocity:
Submitted by the candidate’s Chapter convener (or convener of chapter
assisting with the initial review for candidate’s from chapters without a
critical mass to conduct a certification review)
Candidate recommended for the second phase of the process
Candidates holding certification with other cognate groups may also
submit evidence that they are certified with that group and in good
standing.
Chapter will need to submit the Grandparenting Form to the
Certification Team’s Regional Representative, who will work with the
Chapter to determine if the candidate is eligible for certification through
reciprocity
SECOND PHASE
8. Candidate pays Certification Fees
Candidate contacts the Treasurer (cpsptreasurer@gmail.com) with a
request for an invoice for his/her certification fee(s) and outside review
fee.
 Diplomates initial fee is $100, and the Outside Review fee is $250
 Clinical Chaplain, Pastoral Counselor, Associate Clinical Chaplain,
Associate Pastoral Counselor, or Clinically Trained Minister: Initial
certification fee is $50, and the Outside Review fee is $250
 Hospice & Palliative Care or Associate Hospice and Palliative
Care: Initial Certification Fee is $100, and there is no outside
review fee.
Candidate sends the receipt from the payment of the invoice to the
Administrative Coordinator (krista@cpsp.org).
9. Dropbox (a free, online file sharing program)
An invitation to Dropbox is sent to the candidate, the candidate’s
Chapter convener, and the Regional Representative from the Outside
Review Team, with the follow documents in the folder:
 The receipt from the payment of the certification fees and annual
dues
 Instructions for accessing and completing the online forms
Upload ALL documents to Dropbox (exception: video and audio files, as
required from Diplomate candidates. Please check with your Regional
Rep. to find out where those files should be mailed)
10. Certification Facesheet (form):
Complete online form (facesheet)
Notify your Regional Representative from the Certification Team, and
copy (“Cc”) the Administrative Coordinator (krista@cpsp.org) on your
note.
11. Review Panel – Preliminary Review
Candidate’s materials and facesheet (form) are shared with the Review
Panel members.
 Candidates from Chapters who function in compliance with The
Standards, and who submit a complete file of certification
materials, will be referred to a four-person Review Panel by their
Regional Representative.
 The Panel may be comprised of members of the Certification
Team, and others appointed by the Certification Team, in
consultation with the General Secretary.
The Review Panel completes preliminary review of the candidate’s
materials and the Chapter’s Certification Report Form
Candidate is determined to be prepared for an in-person review
with the Panel.
Review Panel finds that the Candidate is NOT prepared for an inperson review, and responds with suggestions and rational, which
is shared with the candidate and the candidate’s Chapter
convener.
12. Review Panel – In-person Meeting
Review Panel meets with candidate at National Clinical Training Seminar,
the day before the event starts.
 There are two training seminars in the East and one in the West.
(NCTS-East, NCTS-West)
 Additional reviews may be scheduled in the west, and elsewhere if
needed.
 The Review Panel informs the chapter convener within 30 days prior
to the upcoming Governing Council meeting regarding the status of
its recommendation.
 The Governing Council meets twice a year; once in the Fall, and once
in the Spring. (Usually March and September.)
13. Ratification by Governing Council
Candidate’s name is presented by the Certification Team at the
Governing Council meeting, for ratification.
 If ratified by the Governing Council, the Candidate receives
certificate(s) at the next Plenary.
 Certificates are prepared once per year.
 The certificates of those not attending the Plenary will be mailed to
the Chapter Convener.
 Certified member’s certification category(ies) are updated on
cpspdirectory.org, following the candidate’s receipt of his or her
certificate(s) at the Plenary.
14. Annual Recertification (occurs at the Chapter-level)
Certified member remains an active member of Chapter Life and pays
annual dues appropriate to the certification category(ies).
Certified member’s name is presented for re-certification on the Annual
Chapter Report, if approved annually by Chapter.
NOTE: This form is intended as a help guide for candidates and their conveners and
does not need to be submitted for review or included with the certification documents.