National Certification Council For Activity Professionals

What National Certification Council For Activity Professionals does

The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP) is a nonprofit certification organization founded in 1986 by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) in response to federal OBRA '87 requirements mandating qualified activity professionals in long-term care facilities. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with a staff of 1-10 employees, NCCAP operates as the nation's leading credentialing body for activity and life enrichment professionals serving nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and senior living settings across the United States.

NCCAP's product portfolio centers on three progressive certification tiers — Activity Professional Certified (APC), Activity Director Certified (ADC), and Activity Consultant Certified (ACC) — delivered through the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP), alongside alternative pathways including the Experiential Track, Professional Transition Pathway, and Professional Equivalency Track. The organization also offers the National Assisted Living Enrichment Certification (ALEC) course, a CE Course Approval program for educators ($55-$150 per submission), an Approved Educator Program ($200/year), and supporting materials including The Art of Life Enrichment Resource Book ($90). Course delivery occurs through a MemberClicks enrollment portal, a Brightspace (D2L) learning management system for self-paced online courses, and a network of 12+ Licensed Instructors and 14+ Approved MEPAP Instructors delivering live virtual and face-to-face classes.

NCCAP's business model is fee-for-service across individual professionals, with certification course pricing ranging from $550 to $999 and bundled inclusions such as 2-year NCCAP certification, 2-year NAAP membership, national exam access, and resource book. The organization distributes through direct-to-consumer website enrollment, licensed instructor-led cohorts, and approved educator partnerships (NAAP, ACS, DH Special Services, Geri-Fit, HCP Health Consultants Plus, Lifetime Wellness, Tough Agers, O-mindful). Marketing reach includes a monthly newsletter distributed to over 35,000 professionals, alongside advocacy partnerships with the Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative, LEAD Coalition, Pioneer Network, and National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Since receiving CMS recognition in 1987, NCCAP certification has remained the standard pathway for meeting F680 federal requirements for activity directors.

Name

National Certification Council For Activity Professionals

Legal name

National Certification Council for Activity Professionals

Website

https://nccap.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NCCAP is a nonprofit certification body founded in 1986 that provides nationally recognized credentials for activity and life enrichment professionals in U.S. long-term care and senior living settings, generating revenue through course fees, continuing education approvals, and Approved Educator memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Professional certification programs
• Activity professional training
• Continuing education approval
• Long-term care staffing
• Senior living education

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certification Course Fees: Revenue from Activity Director Certified (ADC) Complete Course at $999, Bridge to ADC Course at $550, and Professional Transition Pathway at $680. These include course materials, certification exam, and initial certification periods.
2. CE Course Approval Fees: Continuing Education course approval services with fees ranging from $55 to $150 based on clock hours (1-6 hours: $55, 6.1-12: $75, 12.1-18: $95, 18.1-24: $115, 24.5+: $150). Renewal fees from $40-$60.
3. Approved Educator Program: Annual fee of $200 for organizations to become Approved Educators, includes logo placement, newsletter visibility reaching 35,000+ professionals, and direct website traffic.
4. Experiential Track Certification: Alternative certification pathway at $550 for experienced professionals with 5+ years experience, includes resource book and national exam fee.
5. Resource Book Sales: The Art of Life Enrichment Resource Book sold at $90 including shipping within the United States. Bulk orders available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCCAP delivers nationally recognized professional certification programs (APC, ADC, ACC) and modular curriculum (MEPAP) for activity and life enrichment professionals working in nursing homes, assisted living, and senior living communities. Courses are offered as self-paced online, live instructor-led virtual, and face-to-face formats, complemented by continuing education approvals and supporting reference materials such as the Art of Life Enrichment Resource Book.

Product overview

NCCAP operates as a certification and education organization offering multiple interconnected certification programs and educational courses for activity and life enrichment professionals in senior care settings. The core product portfolio includes certification tracks (APC, ADC, ACC, Experiential Track, Professional Equivalency Track) for activity professionals at different career stages, alongside the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) as the foundational curriculum delivered through both Standardized (NCCAP-created) and Approved (third-party instructor) formats. Supporting products include the Art of Life Enrichment Resource Book, NAAP Study Guide, and Continuing Education course approval services. The organization provides multiple learning modalities including on-demand self-paced courses, live instructor-led virtual classes (via Zoom/WebEx/Microsoft Teams), and face-to-face instruction, with approved educators and licensed instructors delivering curriculum across the nation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Activity Director Certified (ADC) Complete Course Comprehensive certification pathway for individuals entering the activity profession or pursuing their Activity Director Certification, available in on-demand and live instructor-led formats. Includes 11 learning modules, 10 quizzes, the Art of Life Enrichment resource book, National ADC Exam access, 2 years NCCAP certification, and 2 years NAAP membership at $999 with payment plan options.
• Bridge to ADC Course Online pathway course for professionals who have completed MEPAP Part 1 and are currently APC certified to advance to ADC certification, available in on-demand and instructor-led formats at $550 including online course access and ADC exam eligibility.
• Professional Transition Pathway to ADC Certification option for experienced professionals with prior training certificate programs and at least 1 year experience, recognizing prior education and providing a route to NCCAP ADC certification at $680 with payment plan options.
• Experiential Track for ADC Experience-based certification pathway for professionals with minimum 5 years in Activity Services and 2 years in a supervisory capacity, completing an essay-based assessment instead of coursework at $550, including the resource book and national exam fee for one attempt.
• Professional Equivalency Track (ADC) Certification pathway for professionals holding degrees such as AT-BT, MT-BC, COTA, CTRS, OTR, CPG, or LNHA who have directed, managed, or supervised in a continuum of care for at least 1 year full-time.
• National Assisted Living Enrichment Certification (ALEC) Course Self-paced online course designed to equip life enrichment professionals with knowledge and skills for the assisted living industry, covering regulatory requirements, resident care, safety protocols, and person-centered support.
• Activity Consultant Certified (ACC) Certification Advanced certification for activity professionals holding a master's, bachelor's, or associate's degree, ADC certification, and 2,000-6,000 hours of experience including consulting hours.
• Continuing Education (CE) Course Approval Program allowing qualified educators, organizations, and institutions to submit educational courses for review and approval to receive a NCCAP CE Approval Number valid for one year from issuance, with fees from $40 to $150 based on clock hours and tiered pricing for new courses and renewals.
• Approved Educator Program Annual subscription program for individuals or organizations formally reviewed and authorized by NCCAP to provide educational and training programs meeting NCCAP standards, at $200 per year and including logo placement, an Approved Educator badge, monthly newsletter visibility reaching 35,000+ professionals, and a direct website traffic link.
• The Art of Life Enrichment Resource Book Physical reference book designed around the Social Model of Care, emphasizing person-centered engagement, wellbeing, and quality of life, sold at $90 including shipping within the United States with bulk orders available.
• NAAP Study Guide Study guide supporting candidates preparing for the National Association of Activity Professionals certification examination.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCCAP certification meets CMS F680 standard for activity professionals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative (AELTCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCAP participates in monthly collaborative meetings with AELTCC, a national coalition dedicated to improving quality outcomes and person-centered practices in long-term care. The collaborative includes government, professional, consumer, trade, clinical, labor, and other leaders working on policy recommendations and best practices for post-acute and long-term care quality.
• LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCAP Vice President Kara Reiser participates in the LEAD Coalition which advocates for policies, education, and support systems that improve lives of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, as well as their caregivers and care partners.
• National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAAP established NCCAP in 1986 in response to OBRA '87 federal requirements. NCCAP certification is the only certification accepted by NAAP for meeting Professional Standards of Practice. NAAP membership is included with ADC course enrollment. NCCAP is recognized by CMS as meeting F680 standards.
• National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDebbie Hommel serves as national trainer for NCCDP, educating healthcare professionals on best practices in dementia care, communication techniques, behavioral support, and person-centered approaches.
• Approved Educators NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Educators (NAAP, ACS, DH Special Services, Geri-Fit, HCP Health Consultants Plus, Lifetime Wellness, Tough Agers, O-mindful) are organizations formally reviewed and authorized by NCCAP to provide educational and training programs meeting NCCAP standards. They offer CE courses carrying NCCAP approval numbers.
• Pioneer NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCAP's standardized curriculum is infused with person-centered principles of the Pioneer Network, along with Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations.
• Licensed InstructorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor12+ licensed instructors across the country are qualified to deliver the standardized curriculum for Activity Director Certification (ADC). Instructors include Sonya Thomas, Lakeisha Pointer, Amy Hodge, Dr. Hayley Moseley, Timothy Anderson, Dana Soper, Roberta Breninghouse, Alsandria Miller, Kimberly Epps, Tia Hovatter, and Linda Redhead.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Pioneer Network: Nonprofit culture-change coalition whose person-centered care principles are infused into NCCAP's standardized curriculum. Functions as a content/standards ally rather than competing credentialer.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Federal regulator whose F680 and related F-tag requirements effectively mandate NCCAP certification in certified nursing facilities — not a competitor, but the central upstream dependency for the entire addressable market.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP): Founder of NCCAP and the recognized CMS-authorized organization establishing Professional Standards of Practice. Operates adjacent professional membership, advocacy, and conferences that funnel candidates into NCCAP certification.
• American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL): Largest US trade association for assisted living and nursing home operators, running its own staffing credentials and CE programs consumed by the same employer base NCCAP serves.
• Alzheimer's Association: Provides Dementia Care Practice Recommendations that are embedded into NCCAP's curriculum. Operates its own training programs (essentiALZ) and advocacy coalitions overlapping NCCAP's certified audience.

Emerging players

• ActivityPro: Software platform for activity professionals in long-term care — adjacent rather than overlapping, but serves the same practitioner base and could layer in credentialing features over time.

Direct peers

• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC): Certifies Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) for healthcare settings. Most structurally analogous peer — both are healthcare professional credentialing bodies with national exams, multiple eligibility pathways, and CE renewal requirements serving elder and long-term care populations.
• National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA): National membership body for adult day service providers offering practitioner credentials and CE for activity staff in community-based elder programs — directly aligned with NCCAP's adult day program segment.
• National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB): Administers national licensure exams for nursing home administrators, complementing NCCAP's activity director credential in the broader long-term care workforce compliance stack.
• National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP): Certifies dementia practitioners across healthcare disciplines, including activity professionals. NCCAP's own leaders serve as national trainers for NCCDP. Direct overlap in the elder-care certification market and curriculum content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/NCCAPTV/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/officialnccap/?ref=group_header
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-certification-council-for-activity-professionals

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Certification Council For Activity Professionals