Registration Criteria

Standard Criteria for Registration

Full Registration will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria:

  • complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
  • declaration of compliance with the UKBHC Code of Conduct 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; a Board Accredited postgraduate chaplaincy qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Chaplaincy;
  • 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;
  • evidence of a recognised or accredited status within a mainstream faith community or belief group, including the Humanist Society (UKBHC Competence 4.2.3.);
  • no known existing professional conduct issues;
  • payment of the relevant registration fee.

Provisional / Student Registration will be available to chaplains subject to the following criteria:

  • Complete, accurate and contemporary personal record;
  • declaration of compliance with the UKBHC Code of Conduct and Continuing Professional Development requirements;
  • evidence of undertaking postgraduate chaplaincy study for example a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc. in Healthcare Chaplaincy
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • no known existing professional conduct issues.

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);
  • Scottish Association of Chaplains in Healthcare (SACH).

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