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After lengthy discussion, the NACP Review Committee and the NACP Advisory Group decided to discard the plan of testing service providers due to the difficulty in creating a “universal” test that would be applicable to all service providers regardless of which victim population they serve or from where they serve them. In place of testing, the following levels and requirements for credentialing are recommended and effective October 2005:

The National Advocate Credentialing Program will provide credentials for:

• Provisional Advocate Credential
• Basic Advocate Credential
• Intermediate Advocate Credential
• Advanced Advocate Credential
• Grandparenting of Experienced Advocates during the first two years of the credentialing program only (expires October 31, 2005) Please see NOTE below.
• Renewal of Credential with documentation of Continuing Education every two years

Credentialed advocates already approved under the NACP grandparenting program at Basic level will be sent a letter after November 1st giving them the option of upgrading to Intermediate or Advanced Advocate Credential based upon the revised criteria at no charge to the applicant unless two years have passed and the applicant is due for renewal. A $75 renewal fee would then apply. A new certificate will be required to distinguish the appropriate credential level.

Provisional Advocate Credentialing
An individual may receive the provisional advocate credential by:

• Successful completion of 40 hours of pre-approved “A” Series Foundation (basic) training only; no experience in the field required. 40-hour training would include that provided by local, state and national training programs such as the state victim assistance academies (SVAA’s) and approved by NACP.
• Completion of the NACP Application and all necessary forms.
• Renewal of credential (see renewal section for important details) to Basic level after 2 years with 32 hours of continuing education. Continuing education may be obtained from local in-service training, seminars and state and national conferences. Once credentialed, Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms can be used to document training received. Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms must be signed by the trainer or a training sponsor representative.
• Abiding by the Code of Ethics for Victim Assistance Professionals.
• Paying the $50 credentialing fee.

• Completion of 40 hours of "A" Series Foundation basic advocate training and a minimum of 20 hours of "B" Series Specialty area training (see NACP Application for training categories). At least 20 hours is required for each area of specialty indicated by the applicant.
• Verification of a minimum of 3,900 hours (2 years) paid or volunteer work experience in the field.
• Completion of the NACP Application and all necessary forms.
• Observation of at least 3 case interventions for each requested area of specialty) by someone in a position to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge and skills.
• Renewal of credential every 2 years with 32 hours of continuing education. See the renewal section for more renewal information. Continuing education must include at least:

  6 hours required in Victims’ Rights Laws (state, federal and/or international)
  6 hours required in New Developments in the Field (e.g., computer crimes) and
  20 hours required in Field-Related Topics

  Continuing education may be obtained from local in-service training, seminars and state and national conferences. Once credentialed, Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms can be used to document training received. Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms must be signed by the trainer or a training sponsor representative.

• Abiding by the Code of Ethics for Victim Assistance Professionals.
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s professional (paid or unpaid) skills, ability and years of experience in the field.
• Paying the $100 basic credentialing fee.

• Completion of 40 hours of "A" Series Foundation basic advocate training, a minimum of 20 hours of "B" Series Specialty area training, and a minumum of 10 hours of "C" Series Specialty area training (see NACP Application for training categories). At least 20 hours is required for each area of specialty indicated by the applicant.
• Verification of a minimum of 7,800 hours (4 years) paid or volunteer work experience in the field.
• Completion of the NACP Application and all necessary forms.
• Observation of at least 3 case interventions for each requested area of specialty by someone in a position to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge and skills.
• Renewal of credential every 2 years with 32 hours of continuing education. See the renewal section for more renewal information. Continuing education must include at least:

  6 hours required in Victims’ Rights Laws (state, federal and/or international)
  6 hours required in New Developments in the Field (e.g., computer crimes) and
  20 hours required in Field-Related Topics

  Continuing education may be obtained from local in-service training, seminars and state and national conferences. Once credentialed, Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms can be used to document training received. Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms must be signed by the trainer or a training sponsor representative.

• Abiding by the Code of Ethics for Victim Assistance Professionals.
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s professional (paid or unpaid) skills, ability and years of experience in the field.
• Paying the $100 basic credentialing fee.

• Completion of 40 hours of "A" Series Foundation basic advocate training, a minimum of 20 hours of "B" Series Specialty area training, and a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education of "C" Series advanced training (see NACP Application for training categories). At least 20 hours is required for each area of specialty indicated by the applicant.
• Verification of a minimum of 15,600 hours (8 years) paid or volunteer work experience in the field.
• Completion of the NACP Application and all necessary forms.
• Observation of at least 3 case interventions for each requested area of specialty by someone in a position to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge and skills.
• Renewal of credential every 2 years with 32 hours of continuing education. See the renewal section for more renewal information. Continuing education must include at least:

  6 hours required in Victims’ Rights Laws (state, federal and/or international)
  6 hours required in New Developments in the Field (e.g., computer crimes) and
  20 hours required in Field-Related Topics

  Continuing education may be obtained from local in-service training, seminars and state and national conferences. Once credentialed, Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms can be used to document training received. Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms must be signed by the trainer or a training sponsor representative.

• Abiding by the Code of Ethics for Victim Assistance Professionals
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s professional (paid or unpaid) skills, ability and years of experience in the field.
• Paying the $100 basic credentialing fee

Renewal applications must be received between October 1-31 if originally approved and credentialed in November and May 1-31 if originally approved and credentialed in June. Advocates who fail to submit their renewal application during the appropriate month will have their credential revoked and will need to reapply.

Documentation of at least 32 hours of continuing education within the last 2 years is required. Continuing education must include at least:

6 hours required in Victims’ Rights Laws (state, federal and/or international)
6 hours required in New Developments in the Field (e.g., computer crimes) and
20 hours required in Field-Related Topics

Continuing education may be obtained from local in-service training, seminars and state and national conferences. Once credentialed, Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms can be used to document training received. Continuing Education Documentation (CED) forms must be signed by the trainer or a training sponsor representative.

More NACP Information

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