Certification is a professional designation acknowledging an individual's commitment to education, experience, and ethical conduct in basic victim assistance.

Eligibility
• Three years work experience
• 2500 direct service hours (full time)
1500 direct service hours (part-time/volunteer)

Requirements
• 40 core instructional hours
• 25 elective instuctional hours

Topics
• Communication Skills
• Crisis Intervention
• Trauma of Victimization
• Role/Art of Advocacy
• PA Justice System - Criminal, Juvenile or Civil
• History of Victim Assistance
• Ethics/Confidentiality
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Grief Process
• PA Crime Victims Compensation/Restitution
• Supportive Counseling
• Resources/Referrals
• Victim Responses
• Program Administration
• PA Victim's Rights

COPCVO wants to know…What do you think about Victim Advocate Certification in Pennsylvania?!?

Are you already a Certified Victim Advocate?

Are you a Victim Service Provider?

Are you a Prevention Educator?

Are you the Director or Supervisor of a Victim Service Agency?

If can answer YES…

Please complete a brief survey about your thoughts on certification. Click here

Application for NEW Certification can be downloaded here

Application for Certification RENEWAL can be downloaded here

For more information,
please contact
Mary Walsh at (570) 762-3720
email: maryw@copcvo.org

Certification Renewal

Certified Victim Advocates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are required to renew their certification every three years.

Renewals are due on the third anniversary date of your original certification.  This program is a voluntary, professional designation acknowledging an individual’s commitment to education, experience, and ethical conduct in basic victim assistance.  To be eligible for re-certification, an applicant must:

• Be a salaried staff member, volunteer, or intern who is currently affiliated with a victim service agency that has standards approved by PCCD, PCADV, PCAR and/or MADD
• Provide direct services including case management as follows:     
• Full-time 2,500 direct service hours over the past three (3) year period. 
• Part-time/Volunteer 1,500 direct service hours over the past three (3) year period. Please attach a letter from the director of your current program endorsing your qualifications.
• Complete twenty-five elective instructional hours indicated must be completed by the date of renewal. These can be selected from trainings provided or approved by a victim service agency; state and national conferences; workshops and seminars; professional organizations; colleges and universities; other appropriate training models; or other recognized Pennsylvania victim service programs.

Electives must be related to victim assistance and direct services. Electives must be earned within the current three-year period between initial certification and application for recertification.