Standard Criteria for Registration
Full Registration will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria and completion of the Sponsorship Form by their sponsor:
- complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
- declaration of compliance with the Code of Conduct (2024) and Continuing Professional Development requirements;
- evidence of a recognised or accredited status within a mainstream faith community or belief group, including the Humanist Society (UKBHC Competence 4.2.3.). See guidance below;
- evidence of relevant qualifications and training. This would normally include: evidence of study relevant to the applicant’s faith community or belief group such as theology, religious studies, philosophy of religion and belief; a Board Accredited postgraduate chaplaincy qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Chaplaincy, two (2) units of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education in the N Ireland context) or approved via the Portfolio route;
- evidence of employment (honorary or salaried) in a healthcare chaplaincy post: this would normally be at a minimum of AfC5; or evidence of at least 6 months of competent autonomous practice as a healthcare chaplain, for example in a voluntary chaplaincy placement supervised by a Board Registered healthcare chaplain;
- Confirmation of Contingent Malpractice Insurance
- no known existing professional conduct issues;
- payment of the relevant registration fee.
Associate Registration (Full fees) will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria and completion of the Sponsorship Form by their sponsor:
- complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
- declaration of compliance with the Code of Conduct (2024) and Continuing Professional Development requirements;
- evidence of relevant qualifications and training. This would normally include: evidence of study relevant to the applicant’s faith community or belief group such as theology, religious studies, philosophy of religion and belief;
- evidence of a recognised or accredited status within a mainstream faith community or belief group, including the Humanist Society (UKBHC Competence 4.2.3.). See guidance below;
- no known existing professional conduct issues;
- Confirmation of Contingent Malpractice Insurance
- payment of the relevant registration fee
- evidence of employment (honorary or salaried) in a healthcare chaplaincy post in the UK: this would normally be at a minimum of AfC5; or evidence of at least six (6) months of competent autonomous practice as a healthcare chaplain, for example in a voluntary chaplaincy placement supervised by a Board Registered healthcare chaplain;
- Have not completed formal post-graduate chaplaincy routes yet.
Student Registration (PG Certificate Route) (Reduced fees) will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria and completion of the Sponsorship Form by their sponsor:
- Complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
- declaration of compliance with the UKBHC Code of Conduct (2024) and Continuing Professional Development requirements;
- evidence of undertaking a UKBHC accredited postgraduate chaplaincy study for example a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc. in Healthcare Chaplaincy
- evidence of at least six (6) month’s competent autonomous practice as a healthcare chaplain, for example in a voluntary chaplaincy placement supervised by a Board Registered healthcare chaplain.
- evidence of a recognised or accredited status within a mainstream faith community or belief group, including the Humanist Society (UKBHC Competence 4.2.3.). See the guidance below.
- confirmation of Contingent Malpractice Insurance
- no known existing professional conduct issues.
Student Registration (CPE Route) (Reduced fees) will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria and completion of the Sponsorship Form by their sponsor:
- Complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
- declaration of compliance with the UKBHC Code of Conduct (2024) and Continuing Professional Development requirements;
- Completed two (2) Units of Clinical Pastoral Education in the N Ireland context with evidence of significant period of pastoral experience.
- evidence of at least six (6) month’s competent autonomous practice as a healthcare chaplain, for example in a voluntary chaplaincy placement supervised and signed-off by a Board Registered healthcare chaplain.
- evidence of a recognised or accredited status within a mainstream faith community or belief group, including the British Humanist Association (UKBHC, 2015; 4.2.3.)
- no known existing professional conduct issues.
- Confirmation of Contingent Malpractice Insurance
Student and/or Associate Registration (Portfolio Route) (Reduced fees) will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria and completion of the Sponsorship Form by their sponsor:
The Portfolio Route includes the requirement that the individual demonstrate that they are:
- Safe to practice
- Informed about the principles and practice of chaplaincy and
- Able to critically reflect on their professional experience, to qualify for full registration
- Confirmation of Contingent Malpractice Insurance
Please use this link for Portfolio material requirements.
Affiliate Registration will be available to healthcare chaplaincy volunteers, AfC Band 3 Pastoral Care Support Workers and Band 4 Pastoral Care Assistants subject to the following criteria and completion of the Sponsorship Form by their sponsor:
- Complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
- declaration of compliance with the UKBHC Code of Conduct (2024) and Continuing Professional Development;
- Evidence of at least six (6) calendar months of competent practice as a healthcare chaplaincy volunteer, healthcare pastoral care support worker or healthcare pastoral care assistant, supervised by a board-registered healthcare chaplain.
- evidence of a recognised or accredited status within a mainstream faith community or belief group, including the British Humanist Association (UKBHC, 2015; 4.2.3.) See the guidance below.
Maintain up to date record of CPD - no known existing professional conduct issues
Senior Associate Honorary Registration
Will be available to those chaplains within five (5) years of stepping down from Full Registration and Employment as a healthcare chaplain who wish to remain Registered subject to the following criteria:
- Maintain up to date record of CPD
- Continue have interest/involvement in Healthcare Chaplaincy
Minimal fees £10 per annum with any services to the Board being given pro bono
Guidance on Mainstream Faith Communities and Belief Groups
In determining what is a ‘mainstream’ Faith Community or Belief Group, the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy recognises the Faith Communities and Belief Groups that are members of the Healthcare Chaplaincy Faith and Belief Group, the Free Churches Group, Interfaith Scotland and the British Humanist Association and may consult these bodies for advice and recommendations.
Professional organisations
Although not a requirement for registration the UKBHC recommends that applicants are members of a professional association of healthcare chaplains for example:
- Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains (AHPCC);
- College of Healthcare Chaplains (CHCC);
- Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association (NIHCA)
- The Association of Chaplaincy in General Practice Primary Care Chaplaincy (ACGP)
Academic Advisor
The Board has appointed an Academic Advisor to consider the equivalence of academic qualifications and experience to meet the registration criteria and to advise the Registrar. The two documents that guide the processes for acceptance of qualifications and experience are set down here and need to be read in conjunction with each other. The pathway to registration with postgraduate equivalence and the requirements and process for accreditation of post-graduate awards
Registration and Appeals: Click here for information about Registration and Appeals.
Contingent Malpractice Insurance information can be accessed using this link.