There are eight modules: six core modules, and two specialist modules. Each module requires ten hours of Course time and an assignment.

The certificate is normally awarded after two years study, with a maximum of five years to complete from the start of the first module (only exceptional pastoral reasons are acceptable for studying beyond five years).

Without a good reason for exemption, the modules will cease to be valid. The five-year period starts from when you first start your studies with the centre and not from when you are registered with the National CCRS Database. If you dispute the maximum five years of study with the centre, they will need to have any extension of study agreed with the CCRS Regional group first.

The core modules explore such areas as the Scriptures, the Person of Jesus, the Church, its sacramental life and moral understanding. The specialist modules relate either to the teacher’s work in the school or to pastoral and other work.

It is hoped that all Catholic teachers in our schools would have the Certificate. Some will already have it; some will be working towards it – and all have the opportunity to obtain it.

There is at least one accredited centre in every diocese and it can also be acquired through distance learning.

Those who have done all their training in a Catholic College of Higher Education could be expected to have completed the CCRS. Those who have obtained their PGCE in a Catholic College will usually have some modules but need to complete the CCRS elsewhere. Some students not in Catholic Colleges may have been able to complete some modules during their studies.

If teachers come to our schools from University or other Colleges of Higher Education where this provision was not available, Governors could ask them to register for the Certificate Course provided by accredited centres. Applicants must supply Governing Bodies with either the completed Certificate or Module Certificates.

This is a basic qualification. It is hard to think of a Primary teacher being able to handle a contemporary RE programme without the basic theology this Certificate offers.

While the Certificate can help a teacher as part of an RE team in a Secondary school, it does not give the necessary expertise needed to be a specialist RE teacher.

No. All the Certificate can do is say that a teacher has satisfactorily completed the required Course. It cannot and does not attempt to vouch for personal beliefs, qualities or attributes.

No. Some students who are not Catholics choose to study in a Catholic College or accredited centre and follow up the CCRS Course. The Certificate is awarded to all students who complete the Course satisfactorily.

No. The Certificate is designed for people who are engaged in communication of their Catholic Faith, whether directly or indirectly. It is open to catechists, people involved in liturgical work and other interested adults. In some dioceses, it forms part of the diaconate training programme. It is also a useful programme for the Governors of Catholic schools.

As with any qualification and study, there is a need to keep up to date. It is planned to have an Advanced Certificate to enable people to continue their studies.

No. Anyone interested in becoming a Catholic should contact their local Catholic parish. Information is available from the Bishops' Conference website.

Your local CCRS Centre will be able to provide information about available courses for further study on the successful completion of the CCRS.

No. An Anglican or a person of another Christian or other faith tradition who wishes to become a Catholic is prepared within their local Catholic parish.

No. An Anglican who wishes to become a Catholic within the Ordinariate would do so by contacting the Ordinariate directly. Suitable preparation would then follow within the Ordinariate itself.

We have written confirmation from the responsible Bishop in Northern Ireland that CCRS is a recognised qualification for teachers seeking to work in a Catholic school in Northern Ireland.

Please refer to the Irish Bishops' Conference website for the statement regarding CCRS in the Republic of Ireland.

There are many teachers with CCRS working within Catholic schools in Ireland and Scotland but we would encourage teachers planning to work in these countries to check back with their own Bishops' Conference or the Director for Education for confirmation of current practice and ongoing acceptability of CCRS.

Mgr Jim Cassin
Executive Secretary
Education Commission of the Irish Catholic Episcopal Conference
jim.cassin@iecon.ie

Barbara Coupar
Director
Scottish Catholic Education Service
director@sces.uk.com

To enrol on the course please contact the centre where you would like to study the CCRS course. Contact details can be found on the course centres page. 

Start dates and fees differ from centre to centre - please contact the centre where you would like to study the course.

To request a replacement certificate or to search records on the National CCRS Databases please email ccrs@catholiceducation.org.uk with the following information:

- Your Forename and Surname

- Your CCRS Registration Number

- The month and year you started and finished the course.

- The name of the CCRS centre where you completed the course.

Duplicate certificates are sent out electronically at no cost. Hard copies are not available

Participants who have previously completed a degree in Theology or Religious Studies may be eligible for exemption from some of the core modules. This process relates to prior learning up to a maximum of three core modules (not Specialist Modules). It does not apply to 'concurrent' or 'prospective' learning. Please complete the Application for Accreditation of Prior Learning.

An extension to the five years may be granted for very exceptional pastoral reasons.  Participants need to apply to their local CCRS Centre for a decision. The maximum extension is twelve months.