What is the difference between "Certification" and "Accreditation"?

"Certification" deals with people; "accreditation" deal with facilities. If you are seeking information regarding how staff become certified, then continue to read this section. However, if you want to know more about how institutions/agencies become accredited, then you need to click the "Standards & Accreditation" button on this Web site.

Can I take the Certification exam if I am not currently working in corrections?

No. There are specific education and work requirements that need to be fulfilled before one qualifies for any of the exams. One of the work requirements is that you need to be working in corrections for one full year at the certification level for the exam that you applying for.

When will the CCP examinations be given near me?

Examinations are offered in cities where the ACA Winter Conference and Summer Congress of Correction are held. Tests are also offered in conjunction with some ACA affiliate conferences. A testing site can also be setup in a location if 6 or more candidates are signed up to take the exam. (Such locations must allow individuals from other jurisdictions to be tested at that site.) Examinations cannot be taken by mail or over the Internet.

How will I know how I did on my exam?

Exams are graded within one or two days of receipt of an administered exam. Candidates are notified of their results (pass/fail/honors) by email or phone immediately after the exams are graded. If your agency has paid for the exam fee, the results my go only to the agency representative, who will then inform the candidates of their results.

Do I qualify if I worked in military corrections for 22 years?

Experience in military corrections is acceptable.

How does the Certification Program apply to central office personnel?

Central as well as regional office personnel can participate in the Certification Program. The table below provides some guidance with regard to the various categories. To make the necessary "translations" from our facility-oriented literature to central office position language, refer to the following table:

Certify as:	Facility personnel	Headquarters staff
CCE	Wardens, Superintendents, & Deputies	Commissioners/Assistant Directors
CCM	Dept. Heads, Unit Managers	Section Chiefs, Program Administrators
CCS	Caseworkers, Instructors, Lieutenants, Psychologists	Classification Personnel, Legal Staff
CCO	Privates, Corporals, Sergeants	N/A
CCN	Staff Nurse -- does not supervise any personnel	N/A
CCN/M	Nurse manager -- supervises other medical personnel & administrative staff	Section Chief, Program Administrator

Which of the Certified Corrections Professional categories should I apply for if I work in a prison's health services department?

It depends where your position is located on the facility’s table of organization. If you are the head of the health services’ department, the CCM or CCN/M level would probably be appropriate. If you are in a staff position and you do not supervise other staff, the CCN level would be appropriate.

What study materials should I buy?

There are no required courses. However, study guide information is provided to all candidates. The information denotes study areas and the books from which the examination questions were drawn. We encourage individuals interested in becoming certified to study for their exam -- many candidates who have taken and passed their examination have indicated that they were very glad they studied. There is no requirement that you purchase the recommended resource materials. However, if you choose to do so, please wait until you receive a confirmation letter from the certification staff which will indicate the certification category for which you qualified.

Can you take another examination at a different level after successfully passing a certification examination at one level?

You may take another examination in a different category if/when you meet the experience (one year on-the-job plus a favorable recommendation by your immediate supervisor) and educational requirements for that category. For the CCN/M designation, you must meet the experience qualification as well as the education and licensing requirements.

Is the Certification Program applicable to community corrections or detention facilities?

Yes

I want to become a Warden, what must I do to qualify for certification in that category?

Meet all the criteria to qualify for the CCE category. The Correctional Certification Program certifies that a corrections practitioner is functioning at a professional level is his/her current position. This assertion is based on a candidate meeting all the criteria for his/her current certification category and passing the appropriate examination. While many certified corrections professionals have been promoted following their successful completion of the certification process, the program is not designed to assess an individual’s potential for a higher ranked position. It relies on current performance. It does not attempt to predict how a candidate will perform in the future and in a different position.

What is the most frequently asked question?

Which certification category should I apply for?

Will the state pay my certification exam fee?

Some state agencies do pay certification exam fees. You will need to check with appropriate personnel to determine the policy at your agency.

What are Specialty Area exams and how do they differ from the regular CCP examinations?

After ACA developed four 200-item, multiple-choice examinations for the initial Certification categories, inquires were received in regard to making the Certification experience more relevant for non-institution/non-adult personnel. In response, specialty area exams were created.