In 1986, the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP) was created by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) as the official credential of the Activity Profession.

Accepted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) since 1986, NCCAP is a 501.c.6 credentialing body that fulfills the requirement of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) that Activity Directors be qualified to run life enrichment and activity programs in long-term care settings.