About the Correctional Trainer Certification Program
 What is the purpose of certification?
The Correctional Trainer Certification Commission (CTCC), the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP), and the American Jail Association (AJA) promote the concept of voluntary certification for all correctional trainers. Certification is one part of a process called credentialing. It focuses specifically on the individual and is an indication of current competency in a specialized field. Correctional trainers who become certified will be distinguished as individuals who have reached one of the highest levels of achievement in their field.
Who is eligible to apply to become a Certified Correctional Trainer?
Candidates must have three years of experience as a correctional trainer as defined in the CCT Handbook for Candidates. Anyone who provides training for managers, staff, and/or volunteers of a correctional agency (defined below). Adjunct or field trainers and faculty of institutions of higher learning in the areas of corrections, criminal and juvenile justice (and related areas) are eligible to participate in the certification process. Trainer skills include preparing adequately, both for content and training logistics; delivering clear, engaging presentations; effectively facilitating participant learning activities; evaluating the effectiveness of training; and making adjustments to improve effectiveness.
How can I become a Certified Correctional Trainer?
The four-step process of becoming a CCT:
- Submit the written application documenting eligibility along with the required work sample, and appropriate fee.
- Be deemed eligible by the CTCC.
- Submit the Application for the CCT Examination with required fees.
- Take and pass the examination.
How much will the Certification process cost?
There is a nonrefundable application fee of $125 for AJA and IACTP members and $180 for nonmembers. The application fee must be submitted with the application (Apply for Membership). Please Note: Effective 1/1/2012 the CCT examination fee will be $370.
When the Correctional Trainer Certification Commission(CTCC) determines that the applicant is eligible to sit for the examination, the applicant will receive an Application for the Correctional Trainer Certification Examination and an Examination Payment Submission form which will need to be completed, signed and returned to AJA with the examination fee by the Examination Application deadline.
AJA submits the forms to the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). PTC will then send approximately 6 weeks prior to the start of the testing period an Eligibility Notice to the candidate which contains information on how to schedule the testing appointment.
If the candidate does not receive the Eligibility Notice at least 3 weeks before the testing period, please call PTC at 212-356-0660.
EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION
The CCT examination is administered during an established two-week testing period on a daily basis, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, at computer-based testing facilities managed by PSI. PSI has several hundred testing sites in the United States, as well as Canada. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. To find a testing center near you visit: www.ptcny.com/cbt/sites.htm or call PSI at (800) 211-2754. Please note: Hours and days of availability vary at different centers. You will not be able to schedule your examination appointment until you have received an Eligibility Notice from PTC.
ONLINE TESTING SOFTWARE DEMO
A Testing Software Demo can be viewed online by visiting http://www.ptcny.com/cbt/demo.htm. This online Testing Software Demo can give you an idea about the features of the testing software.
CHANGING YOUR
EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT
If you need to cancel your examination appointment or reschedule to a different date within the two-week testing period you must contact PSI at (800) 211-2754 no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, of the second business day PRIOR to your scheduled appointment.
If you fail to arrive for your appointment or cancel without giving the required notice, you will forfeit your testing fee.
RULES FOR THE EXAMINATION
1. Electronic devices including but not limited to, cell phones, pagers, palm pilots, Blackberries, Bluetooth type devices, voice recording devices, cameras, and MP3 players (IPOD, I-Touch, etc.) cannot be used during the examination.
2. No books or reference materials may be taken into the examination room.
3. Simple, nonprogrammable calculators are permitted with the exception of calculators as part of cellular phones, blackberries, etc. A calculator is also available on screen if needed.
4. No questions concerning content of the examination may be asked during the testing period. The candidate should read carefully the directions that are provided on screen at the beginning of the examination session.
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CCT Deadline and Testing Dates
2012 WINTER TESTING DATES
Application Deadline: October 17, 2011 EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 18, 2011
Examination Application Deadline: December 12, 2011
First Day of Testing: February 11, 2012
Last Day of Testing: February 25, 2012
2012 SUMMER TESTING DATES
Application Deadline: May 1, 2012
Examination Application Deadline: June 18, 2012
First Day of Testing: August 11, 2012
Last Day of Testing: August 25, 2012
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How can I find out more about the CCT program?
For more information, please contact Francine Olszewski, Certification Coordinator at 301-790-3930 x21 or certification@aja.org.
How can I obtain the necessary CCT application forms?
- Download the CCT Application (PDF) Please Note: Effective 1/1/2012 the CCT examination fee will be $370.00
How can I prepare for the Certification examination?
Although general knowledge of the experienced jail manager and familiarity with current practices are what is required to pass the certification examination, AJA has developed a resource list to assist candidates in preparing for the examination.
- View the CCT Resource List (PDF)
- Click here for Examination Content, Dates and Application Deadlines
Become a Certified Correctional Trainer in
Five Easy Steps!
Step 1- Submit your Certified Correctional Trainer (CCT) Initial Candidate Application form, required documentation, and appropriate fees to the American Jail Association by the Application deadline of the desired testing period.
Step 2- Upon receipt of the completed Application Form, AJA Headquarters will verify the information and then determine your eligibility to sit for the CCT examination. If eligible, a packet of testing information will be sent to your home address. Once received, complete the blue Examination Payment Submission Form, Application for Correctional Trainer Certification Examination, enclose the appropriate fees, and submit to AJA Headquarters by the Exam Application deadline of the desired testing period.
Step 3- AJA Headquarters will submit the appropriate forms to the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). PTC will then send approximately 6 weeks prior to the start of the testing period an Eligibility Notice to your home address which contains information on how to schedule your testing appointment.
If you do not receive this notice at least 3 weeks before the testing period please call PTC at 212-356-0660.
Step 4- Call the phone number listed on your Eligibility Notice to set up your official testing appointment.
Step 5- Take the exam!
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Current CCTs
The following is a list of current Certified Correctional Trainers (CCT) along with the date of their initial certification. The first CCTs became certified in September of 2010.
Updated: September 2011
Georgia
Clayton Kellum, CCT
Atlanta, GA
Certified: 09/11
Iowa
Michael Dierkes, CCT
Davenport, IA
Certified: 03/11
Massachusetts
Lisa Lane-Vasquez, CCT
North Grafton, MA
Certified: 09/11
Kevin Nagle, CJO, CCT
Dedham, MA
Certified: 09/10
Erin O'Hearn, CCT
North Grafton, MA
Certified: 09/11
Heidi Pihl-Buckley, CCT
North Grafton, MA
Certified: 09/11
New Hampshire
Lenny O'Keefe, CJO, CCT
Boscawen, NH
Certified: 09/10
New York
Esteban Gonzalez, CJM, CCT
Syracuse, NY
Certified: 09/10
South Carolina
Lisa Hughes-Scott, CCT
Columbia, SC
Certified: 09/10
Christopher Montjoy, CCT
Columbia, SC
Certified: 09/10
Roy Rogers, CCT
Columbia, SC
Certified: 09/10
West Virginia
Steven Stanley, CCT
Charleston, WV
Certified: 09/10
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Testimonials
Submitted by Steven Stanley, CCT:
"The CCT designation has benefited me personally by being recognized by my peers and supervisor(s). It gives one a sense of feeling appreciated for the work that you do. I believe that we work to get things we want, pay our bills, etc., but most importantly we want to feel appreciated for what we do. I received congratulatory phone calls, emails, and letters from our Commissioner of Corrections, senior leadership and from other facilities and my peers. The CCT designation has encouraged me professionally to stay current on training methods, trends and develop new training ideas. West Virginia is encouraging all of its Correctional Trainers to seek certification. The credentialing process brings credit to our Professional Development Center and our entire Division of Corrections."
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