NCCAP Certification Process Guide to becoming NCCAP Certified It is suggested the participant obtain a copy of the NCCAP certification standards booklet and have an NCCAP application form for reference during the in-service. These can be downloaded from the NCCAP web site at http://www.nccap.org/certification/NCCAP_Certification_Standards.pdf http://www.nccap.org/about/download/form.pdf

The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals is a credentialing body which sets standards and criteria for those working to meet the leisure needs of those in their care. NCCAP sets the following goals as means to achieve its mission: Directly provide opportunities for and/or information about educational offerings thereby enabling its members and potential members to pursue professional development. Educate on behalf of its membership on issues regarding credentialing in the political and industry spheres. NCCAP is celebrating 25 years of certifying activity professionals this year. NCCAP certification is recognized in CMS Federal Guidelines as well as many state regulations as the qualifying credential for the activity professional working in Long Term Care settings. NCCAP currently has approximately 6500 certified individuals throughout the United States, Canada and Bermuda. Mission Statement

Why Be NCCAP Certified? Professional Recognition & Credibility Portable Certified = Qualified Refer to page 2, column 1 of Certification Standards Booklet “Why become NCCAP Certified?” Why Be NCCAP Certified?

Activity ASSISTANT Certified Including : Activity Assistant Provisionally Certified Activity DIRECTOR Certified Including: Activity Director Provisionally Certified Activity CONSULTANT Certified Page 2, Column 2 - Certification Standards Booklet Certification Levels

Tracks Within Levels Each Level Has Several Tracks CE Requirements Are Consistent for Levels – 20 for AAC 30 for ADC & ADPC 40 for ACC Education and Experience are weighed MEPAP 2nd Edition Required for all ADC & ACC Tracks Tracks Within Levels

There are Five Components to NCCAP Certification Academic Amount of College Credits Experience Number of Hours Experience in Activities Within the Past 5 Years Continuing Education Within the Past 5 years MEPAP 2nd Edition Page 2, Column 2 - Certification Standards Booklet National Exam There are Five Components to NCCAP Certification

Academic Masters Degree Bachelors Degree Associates Degree College Credits Masters Degree Bachelors Degree Associates Degree 60 College Credits 12 College Credit Note: College Credits never expire & Must have an English Course Academic

Number of hours of actual delivery of activities services to a population that is at least 50% over age 55 1 year full time is equivalent to 2,000 hours of experience Experience must be within the past 5 years Experience

Workshops, seminars, conferences specifically for activities that fall within the NCCAP Body of Knowledge Must be within the past 5 years Can include 20% clock hours from mandatory in- service's Can include 30% from on line inservice programs such as Silverchair Any online or home study classes must be NCCAP Pre-approved…contact the company to find the NCCAP pre-approval number Continuing Education

MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals MEPAP, 2nd Edition – Often taught in two parts Successful completion of the course For NCCAP certification you must complete both section MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals

HOW? 100 questions from MEPAP randomly picked out of a bank of 1,800 Conducted by Comira Testing, an independent testing company Done on computer with a proctor Pass with 70% or better Cost covers development and testing company fees Is NOT retroactive – only applies to certification, not renewals WHY? Credibility with state and federal regulatory bodies National standard for recognized professions QA for MEPAP instructors Establishes competency National Exam

AAC Activity Assistant Certified ACTIVITY ASSISTANT CERTIFIED (AAC): One who meets NCCAP standards to assist, with supervision, in carrying out an activity program. Note: AAC certification is recommended for Activities Assistants. As long as you maintain your NCCAP certification you can level change at any time to ADC if you complete the other components for ADC certification. Page 3, column 1 - Certification Standards Booklet AAC Activity Assistant Certified

Track 1 A. ACADEMIC EDUCATION 30 college semester credits (must include an English PLUS 1 other course from B, C, and D of the required coursework areas). B. ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 2,000 hours within past 5 years. C. CONTINUING EDUCATION 20 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. Page 3, column 1 - Certification Standards Booklet AAC – Track 1

Track 2 A. ACADEMIC EDUCATION High school diploma or GED, PLUS 6 college credits (must include an English and 1 other course from the required coursework areas). B. ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 4,000 hours within past 5 years. C. CONTINUING EDUCATION 20 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. Page 3, column 1 - Certification Standards Booklet AAC – Track 2

A. ACADEMIC EDUCATION High school diploma or GED, PLUS the 90-Hour Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals Part 1including 90 Hour Practicum. (C.C.1-11) B. ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 2,000 hours within past 5 years. C. CONTINUING EDUCATION 20 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. Page 3, column 1 - Certification Standards Booklet AAC – Track 3

AAPC – Activity Assistant Provisionally Certified High School Diploma or GED MEPAP Part One (Core Competencies 1-11) 50 clock hours of volunteer/experience in the delivery of activities services 20 clock hours of continuing education from the NCCAP Body of Knowledge within the past 5 years Page 12 – Certification Standards Booklet AAPC – Activity Assistant Provisionally Certified

This “Track” was designed for individuals such as High School students, college students or activity professionals near retirement who want to obtain national certification If the individual maintains their NCCAP certification they can level change at any time, providing that they obtain the components for that level. They can maintain their AAPC forever when they renew every two years. AAPC

ADC – Track 1 *National Exam ACADEMIC EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree or higher (must include an English (A) PLUS 7 other courses with at least one course from B, C, and D of the required coursework areas). ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 4,000 hours within past 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 30 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP). *National Exam Page 3, column 2 – Certification Standards Booklet ADC – Track 1

ACADEMIC EDUCATION Associates Degree (including English PLUS 5 other courses, with at least 1 course from B, C, and D of the coursework areas). ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 6,000 hours within past 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 30 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP). National Exam Page 3, column 2 – Certification Standards Booklet ADC – Track 2

ACADEMIC EDUCATION 60 college semester credits (must include English PLUS 5 other courses, with at least 1 course from B, C, and D of the required coursework areas). ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 6,000 hours within past 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 30 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP). National Exam Page 3, column 2 – Certification Standards Booklet ADC – Track 3

ADPC – Track 4 ACADEMIC EDUCATION 12 semester college credits (must include an English PLUS 1 other required coursework area). 90-Hour Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals Part 1 (C.C.1-11) and the 90-Hour Practicum 90-Hour Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals Part 2 (C.C.12-20) and 90-Hour Practicum ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 4. 6,000 hours activity experience within the past 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 30 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within past 5 years. Page 4, column 1 – Certification Standards Booklet ADPC – Track 4

ADPC For ADPC you must have 3 of the 5 components You have will need to maintain your ADPC for 6 years. Upon completion of your missing components you can apply for a level change You have 6 years to obtain your missing components IF you do not obtain your missing components within the 6 years, you can become an AAC You will need to renew your NCCAP certification every two years When you are ready for a level change to ADC, you will be eligible to take the National Exam Upon successful passing of the National Exam, you will fulfill the level change to ADC Page 4, column 1 – Certification Standards Booklet ADPC

NCCAP offers ADC TRACK 5 for individuals that completed a basic activity course between 1991 (when OBRA was implemented) and 2001 (when the requirement for the MEPAP course/pre-approved instructors was implemented), but that have the established experience, and ongoing continuing education to effectively implement their job responsibilities and duties, an opportunity to apply for certification as a director. Application can be downloaded from NCCAP web site at http://www.nccap.org/about/download/ADC-Track5-Application.pdf ADC Track 5

ADC Track 5 requirements must include: 1. A high school diploma 2 ADC Track 5 requirements must include: 1. A high school diploma 2. A Basic Activity Course ____36 hours_____40/42/45 hour____60 hour____72 hour _____other MUST have been completed between (1991-2001)-verified by submitting a certificate of completion, signed by the instructor. 3. Date(s) course completed (start date)_________ (end date)__________ 4. State in which the course was completed____ 5. Name of the Instructor_______________________ 6. Instructor Credentials______ Application can be downloaded from NCCAP web site at http://www.nccap.org/about/download/ADC-Track5-Application.pdf ADC Track 5

6 years (12,000 hours) of current activity experience- within the past 10 years 30 hours of continuing education-20% (6 hours) of which addresses activity documentation example (MDS 3.0, care planning, assessments) Application can be downloaded from NCCAP web site at http://www.nccap.org/about/download/ADC-Track5-Application.pdf ADC Track 5

Remember NCCAP Certification must be renewed every two years. IF you do not renew, you will then have to re-apply and meet the current NCCAP Standards If you are NCCAP Certified at any level before 12/31/11 then you will not have to take the National Exam. Your NCCAP Certification is recognized in F Tag 249 by Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Your NCCAP Certification is recognized in many states that utilize F-249 as the qualifying credential Remember

ACC – Track 1 ACC has 5 components ACADEMIC EDUCATION Master's Degree or higher (must include an English plus 7 other coursework areas with at least 1 course from areas B, C, and D). ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 2,000 hours activity experience within the last 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 40 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within the past 5 years. CONSULTING EXPERIENCE 200 hours of activity consulting experience within the past 3 years. MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP). National Exam Page 4, Column 1 – Certification Standards Booklet ACC – Track 1 ACC has 5 components

ACADEMIC EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree (include an English plus 7 other coursework areas with at least 1 course from areas B, C, and D). ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 4,000 hours activity experience within the last 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 40 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within the past 5 years. CONSULTING EXPERIENCE 200 hours of activity consulting experience within the past 3 years. MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP). National Exam Page 4, Column 2 – Certification Standards Booklet ACC – Track 2

ACADEMIC EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree (must include an English plus 7 other coursework areas with at least 1 course from areas B, C, and D). ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE 4,000 hours activity experience within the last 5 years. CONTINUING EDUCATION 40 clock hours (Body of Knowledge) within the past 5 years. CONSULTING EXPERIENCE (Arranged with the Track 3 Consultant Review Committee). MEPAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP). National Exam Page 4, Column 2 – Certification Standards Booklet ACC – Track 3

Academic Component High School Diploma or GED You will send a copy in your application packet If you cannot get a copy, a letter on official High School letterhead with your graduation date would work. You will need to send the original so keep a copy for your records If submitting a college transcript which has your high school graduation date noted, that will suffice as well. Official College Transcript You will send the original so get a Student copy as well Have the transcript sent to your facility. HR Department would be able to receive it, if the college won’t send it to you Include the original in your application packet Page 5 – Certification Standards Booklet Refer to A.1 & 2 Academic Component

Academic Component From an accredited college or university A variety of degrees and college courses are accepted, provided the course content areas are met No time limit for college degree or credits Required coursework areas must be a grade of “C” or better Nursing schools, technical credits, and foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official evaluation from an accredited US College, University or Independent Agency. Page 5 – Certification Standards Booklet Refer to A. 2 Academic Component

10 Extra CE’s in Specialty Area from NCCAP Body of Knowledge Educator – ACC/ED, ADC/ED, AAC/ED Memory Care – ACC/MC, ADC/MC, AAC/MC Assisted Living – ACC/ALF, ADC/ALF, AAC/ALF Adult Day – ACC/AD, ADC/AD, AAC/AD Page 12 Certification Standards Booklet Specialty Tracks

Certification Application Download NCCAP Standards from website: nccap.org Read Standards several times Download application from website Fill out application COMPLETELY! Use Official College Transcripts – unopened Letter from employer on letterhead – verify hours, population, duties Send copies of continuing education certificates – send with time outline if over 8 hours Have notarized – include check Recommend – Certified Mail Certification Application

Certification Renewals Every Two Years From Month of Original Certification 20, 30, or 40 CE’s 10 CE’s per Specialty Area Submit Copies of CE Certificates Renewal Form MUST be Filled Out If Level Change, Renewals Are Still Due on Original Date of Certification Page 7, column 2 – Certification Standards Booklet Certification Renewals

Continuing Education Conferences, Seminars, Workshops NCCAP Preapproved Distance Learning College Courses/Adult Education Classes at Crafts Stores, etc. Articles Published in State or National Publications – 1 hour per 600-800 words Presentations – Double the hours for the first time topic is presented Must be dated after last renewal date Must Have Certificate with All of the Required Information Minimum of 1 Hour Long 20% can be facility in-services Page 6 Certification Standards Booklet Refer to C. 2 Continuing Education

Sponsoring Body Name of Participant Date of Presentation Location of Presentation – City & State Title of Presentation NCCAP Body of Knowledge Area Length of Presentation Name and Credentials of Instructor(s) Signature of Instructor or Sponsor Page 6, column 2 - Certification Standards Booklet Refer to C.4.b. CE Certificates

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