The Certification Program is designed to advance the overall knowledge level of practitioners in the corrections field, promote the capabilities of corrections professionals to the public, and enhance society's image of corrections personnel and, thereby, aid in the recruitment of new, talented staff members.
The purpose of the Certification Program is to provide a national, voluntary method by which individuals can gain recognition as qualified corrections practitioners.
Certification is offered in four categories:
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS EXECUTIVE (CCE)
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS MANAGER (CCM)
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS SUPERVISOR (CCS)
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS OFFICER (CCO)
These categories include corrections personnel who work at differing levels within Security Services as well as in other corrections disciplines, such as: Case Management, Chaplaincy, Education, Food Service, Health Service, Industries, Psychology, Recreation, Research, Training, and personnel who function at the Central Office/Headquarters level and those employed in Juvenile and/or Community Corrections.
Overview
Individuals who successfully complete the certification process become members of an elite group of staff known as CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONALS (CCPs). They gain national recognition for their corrections-related abilities by being able to rightfully use the letters CCE, CCM, CCS, or CCO in association with their name. Their designations recognize the high-level capabilities and accomplishments they have demonstrated in the field of corrections. The Certification Program creates a lifetime of progressive professional achievement through its various levels of certification.
Achieving CCP status involves: (a) qualifying by documenting an individual's education and correctional work experience; and, (b) passing an examination which deals with both general correctional issues and those specific to the applicant's discipline.
The Certification Program, itself, is designed to advance the overall knowledge level of practitioners in the corrections field, helping to ensure that they are aware of the most current, innovative, and effective approaches. Further, it promotes the capabilities of corrections professionals to the public by certifying their adherence to the ACA Code of Ethics. The Certification Program also enhances the public image of corrections personnel and, thereby, aids in the recruitment of new, talented staff members.
Certification Definitions
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS EXECUTIVE
- This category includes individuals at the highest level of adult and juvenile corrections who oversee the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS MANAGER
- This category includes individuals who manage major units or programs within a correctional setting. They are management staff who may contribute to the development of policies and procedures and are responsible for their implementation. They have authority over supervisory staff.
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS SUPERVISOR
- This category includes individuals who work with both staff and offenders in a correctional setting. It includes those responsible for implementing agency procedures and supervising/evaluating personnel.
- CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS OFFICER
- This category includes all personnel who work directly with offenders.
Once an individual becomes a CERTIFIED CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONAL (CCP), they continue in that status for three years.
Re-certification
Certification expires after three years. To apply for Re-certification, each CCP must submit an Application for RECERTIFICATION no later than 30 days before the expiration date of his/her Certified status.
Re-certification requires each applicant to document that they have completed the requisite number of continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH). This information will be the basis for verifying that the CCP has during the past three years:
- Successfully completed the required number and type of Continuing Education Contact Hours
- Continued to function in the occupational group for which s/he was certified; and
- Received satisfactory (or better) performance evaluations from his/her immediate supervisor, who also deems the applicant for RE-CERTIFICATION as being of good character.
Continuing Education Contact Hours
Continuing Education Contact Hours consist of completing activities in two or more of the following six categories:
- Taking relevant training/education courses
- Attending or making presentations at relevant conferences
- Publishing a book/chapter/professional article
- Participating in a formal, corrections-related reading/study group
- Participating in staff training over the minimum agency requirement, or
- Similar tasks that comply with the Certification Commission's policies
Links
