POLICY

To maintain active professional status, NCCT requires annual renewal of your certification.  Renewal is accomplished yearly by completing continuing education (CE) courses. NCCT is the continuing education provider for individuals certified through MMCI or NCCT.

What is CE?  CE is a learning activity where participation is documented and a certificate of continuing education units is issued following successful completion of the activity.  CE is intended for adult learners who have completed a formal education.  CE is often required by employers, state licensing boards, and professional organizations to encourage professionals to expand their knowledge and stay up-to-date on new developments.  However, CE is not always about learning skills or information that you will use on a daily basis.  It is often designed to be an experience where the end result is an enrichment and expansion of your overall knowledge.  Continuing education leads to lifelong learning, which is the true hallmark of a professional.

NCCT may accept outside CE courses/college courses for recertification credit.  If you want NCCT to consider outside coursework, complete the Application for Outside CE Approval form (found in the Forms/Document tab on the NCCT webpage), attach all applicable documentation, and send it to NCCT with your recertification application and recertification payment.  You will be notified if the coursework is acceptable.  If the outside CE course CH does not equal 14 CH, you will need to make up the difference with NCCT CE courses.

Recertification Requirements

1.  The number of Clock Hours* of continuing education required each year to maintain your certification depends on the number of certifications you hold.

• 1 certification----14 Clock Hours
• 2 certifications---19 Clock Hours
• 3 certifications---24 Clock Hours
• 4 certifications---29 Clock Hours
• More than 4 certifications?  Add 5 Clock Hours for each additional certification

*Clock Hours (CH) is the actual number of hours an individual participates in a continuing education activity.  For example, a 3.0 CH course should take 3 hours to read the article and complete the test questions.

2.   You must earn a score of 70% or higher to receive credit for a CE course.  If you do not make at least 70%, you may repeat the same course to attempt a passing score or take another course.

3.   CE must be completed every year.  If you lapse for a year, your certification status becomes non-current.  However, you can "catch up" by paying for and successfully completing the required number of CE Clock Hours that you have not done.  For example, if you have one certification and you have not completed CE for three years, you will need to pay for and successfully complete 42 CH (14 CH x 3 years) to regain a current certification status.

4.   If you remain non-current for five or more years (i.e., you do not complete the required number of CE Clock Hours), your certification becomes invalid.  This means you are no longer certified and you can no longer use the NCCT credentials after your name.  At this time, you must once again apply, qualify, and pay to retake the certification exam if you wish to become certified again.

PROCESS

The recertification process has three primary steps.

Step 1:  Six months before the anniversary of your certification date, you will receive the following information from NCCT:

• Letter with Recertification Form
• Guide to the Recertification Process (1st time renewal only)
• Printed CE Materials Order Form
• Wristband/pin order form

You need to return back to NCCT*:

• Completed Recertification Form
• Payment (check/credit card)
• If applicable, completed Printed CE Materials Order Form
• NOTE:  The recertification process can be completed online, eliminating the need to return items to NCCT via mail.

Step 2:  Upon NCCT receipt of your response to the 1st mailing, you will receive the CE products ordered [CD, book(s), or individual printed courses].  NOTE:  If you opted to do your CE courses and tests online, you willnot receive a mailing.

You will need to return to NCCT before the expiration date stated in the letter:

• Completed CE course answer sheets
• If applicable, completed P.A.C.E.® evaluations
• NOTE:  CE tests and P.A.C.E.® evaluations can be completed online, eliminating the need to return items to NCCT via mail.

Step 3:  Upon NCCT receipt and grading of your CE answer sheets and, if applicable, your completed P.A.C.E.® evaluations, you will receive:

• Letter with permanent ID card (sent when ALL required Clock Hours of CE have been successfully completed)
• Transcript with official P.A.C.E.® documentation, if applicable
• New certificate

PRICING

Recertification fee pricing is dependent on the number of Clock Hours needed to remain or become current with your certification.  The cost to purchase one (1) Clock Hour is $5.50.  To determine your total renewal cost, multiple the number of CE Clock Hours needed X $5.50.

If you have more than 4 certifications and/or have been non-current for four years, call Customer Service at 800-875-4404 for specific information.

The required number of Clock Hours can be purchased in full or in any quantity desired.  Partial payments may be useful if your certification is non-current and you are attempting to complete your requirements.  If you opt for online testing, you can make partial Clock Hour payments and complete CE courses during your recertification cycle, avoiding the need to do all at one time.  If you opt for paper/pencil testing, you can make partial Clock Hour payments but you will not receive CE materials and answer sheets until payment is received in full.