vocational Chaplaincy

Vocational Chaplains are ordained clergy who receive payment for Chaplaincy ministry or serve in a chaplain position that requires a formal endorsement from the Church of God. Vocational Chaplains serve in the Armed Forces (including Civil Air Patrol), Federal/State/Private Correctional Facilities, Veterans Affairs, hospitals, hospices, college campuses, industry, law enforcement agencies, as pastoral counselors, and in other organizations.

"I'm interested 
in becoming a 
Vocational Chaplain. 
Where do I start?"

"I'm interested 
in becoming a 
Vocational Chaplain. 
Where do I start?"

First, check the list of basic requirements. Then, determine 
what is required for the specific field you would like to pursue. 
Once these are confirmed, the endorsement process can begin.

If you have any questions, contact us at (423) 478-7033. 

Basic Requirements

Hold the ministerial rank of Ordained Minister.​

Hold a valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.

​Meet the educational, age, health, and other requirements of the hiring organization. 
Chaplain Requirements by Field

VOCATIONAL CHAPLAIN REQUIREMENTS 

There are many ways to serve as a Vocational Chaplain. Find the specific requirements for your field:
  • U.S. Army Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
    • Master of Divinity/Theology degree of at least 72 hours from an accredited institution.
    • Citizen of the United States (Permanent residents can apply for US Army Reserve only).
    • Pass the National Agency Check for a security clearance.
    • Pass Armed Forces physical exam 

    For Active Duty:

    • Accession to Active Duty prior to age 42. (FY14 standard)
    • Two years pastoral experience.

    For Army Reserve and National Guard:

    • Accession to Reserve Component prior to age 45, or age 47 with 3 years prior service. (FY14 standard)
  • U.S. Air Force Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
    • Master of Divinity/Theology degree of at least 72 hours from an accredited institution.
    • Citizen of the United States.
    • Pass the National Agency Check for a security clearance.
    • Pass Armed Forces physical exam.
    • Accession prior to age 42.

     For Active Duty:

    • Two years pastoral experience.
  • U.S. Navy Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
    • Master of Divinity/Theology degree of at least 72 hours from an accredited institution.
    • Citizen of the United States.
    • Pass the National Agency Check for a security clearance.
    • Pass Armed Forces physical exam.
    • Pass a Navy physical fitness test.
    • Age - must be able to complete 20 years of service prior to age 62.

    For Active Duty:

    • Two years pastoral experience.
  • Veterans Affairs Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
    • Master of Divinity or equivalent degree of at least 70 hours hours of graduate course including all of the following: 20 semester hours in pastoral ministry; 20 semester hours in any combination of theology, ethics and philosophy of religion; 20 semester hours in the study of sacred writings, including the study of languages in which sacred writings are/were written; and 10 semester hours in religious history and/or world religions from an accredited institution.
    • Citizen of the United States.
    • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE):  In addition to the education requirements, applicants must have completed at least 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) [as defined by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), or the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP)]. 800 hours of supervised ministry in a formal training program which incorporated both ministry formation and pastoral care skills development may be substituted for the required CPE.
    • Ministry Experience: To qualify for GS-11, you must have at least two years of professional experience, after completion of the M. Div. or equivalent, which has demonstrated both practical pastoral knowledge and skill, and ability to minister in a pluralistic setting. Supervised or guided pastoral experience completed during graduate professional education may be credited for up to one of the two years of experience. Part time experience is pro-rated by comparing the average number of hours worked to a 40 hour work week. Completion of a doctoral degree directly related to pastoral ministry may be substituted for one year of experience.
  • Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
    • Master of Divinity/Theology degree of at least 72 hours from an accredited institution. Clergy without accredited graduate degree may ask for a waiver providing they have a minimum of 5 years full time pastoral experience.
    • Meet CAP Senior Membership requirements.
    • Fingerprint card and background check.
    • Pay CAP national and wing dues.
    • Contact your wing chaplain for an application (CAP Form 35).
  • Hospital Chaplain Requirements:
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Meet the educational requirements of the hiring hospital. Large hospitals normally require an undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution, and a Master of Divinity/Theology degree from an accredited institution. Some hospitals will have different requirements.
    • Clinical Pastoral Education. The number of units required will vary with hospitals. Staff chaplain positions normally require 4 units of CPE.
    • Pastoral experience as required by the hiring hospital.
  • Hospice Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission. Some hospice companies may not require an official endorsement. The Church of God requires chaplains serving in paid chaplain positions to hold an endorsement from the Chaplains Commission.
    • Meet the educational requirements of the hiring hospice company. The educational requirements will vary based on state law and also company policy.
    • Clinical Pastoral Education. The number of units required will vary with hospice and states.
    • Pastoral experience as required by the hiring hospice.
  • U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons Chaplain Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
    • Master of Divinity/Theology degree or the equivalent education from an American Theological School (ATS) accredited residential seminary or school of theology: 20 graduate hours of theology; 20 graduate hours of sacred writings; 20 graduate hours of church history or comparative religions; and 20 graduate hours of ministry courses.
    • At least 2 years of autonomous experience as a religious/spiritual leader in a parish or specialized ministry setting. Clinical Pastoral Education may satisfy up to one year of experience.
    • Citizen of the United States.
    • Pass a background investigation.
    • Pass physical requirements and examination by the Federal Bureau of Prisons
    • The normal age limit to apply is 37. Exceptions are made based on experience.
  • State and Private Prison Chaplain Requirements:
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Educational, experience, and other requirements will vary from state to state.
  • Other Chaplain Position Requirements
    • Ordained Minister in the Church of God.
    • Valid endorsement from the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
    • Educational, experience, and other requirements as required by the agency, institution, or state.

"I've met all the requirements for my field, how do I receive endorsement?"

An endorsement is the official denominational authorization for an ordained Church of God minister to serve as a chaplain. It is a formal validation from the denomination to an employing agency that a minister is professionally, educationally, and doctrinally qualified to serve in the specific organizational context as a chaplain. The Chaplains Commission is the ministry office of the Church of God authorized to grant chaplain endorsements. A valid endorsement must be signed by the ecclesiastical endorsing agent serving on appointment by the General Overseer. The Chaplains Commission has the authority to withdraw the endorsement of minister to serve as a chaplain.

THE
ENDORSEMENT
PROCESS

THE
ENDORSEMENT
PROCESS

CONNECT

Make an initial contact with the Chaplains Commission to obtain basic information about chaplaincy and to request an application for endorsement. The Chaplains Commission will send you a digital application packet via email.

APPLY

Complete and return the application consisting of Application Form, Reference Forms, Due Diligence Questionnaire, transcripts, Personal History and Concept of Chaplaincy, and a digital photo. The digital application package contains more specific guidance.

INTERVIEW

Meet with the Chaplains Commission Board of Directors Endorsement Committee for a personal interview either in person or via visual media conference. The Committee determines the granting of endorsement.