1. 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

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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 ,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

22. 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

23. NCCAP offers ADC TRACK 5 for individuals that completed a basic activity course between (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
ADC Track 5

24. 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 ( )-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
ADC Track 5

25. 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
ADC Track 5

26. 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

27. 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 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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 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

36. 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

37. ?
Questions & Answers

38. (Insert your contact information here)
Thank You for Coming!