Join this free webinar, hosted only once a year, to learn more about the CCVA and the process for applying for and receiving your CVA. Credentialing in any profession increases credibility and promotes career development. Learn about this unique performance-based credentialing program, the process for becoming Certified in Volunteer Administration and how it can benefit you and your organization. Recommended for those with at least 3 years of experience in any setting.

1. The CVA Credential:
A Mark of Excellence
Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration
www.cvacert.org

2. ▪ Body of Knowledge and Competencies
▪ Professional certification vs. certificate
▪ Eligibility, Application and Fees
▪ The CVA Exam
▪ Resources and Candidate Support
▪ Renewal requirements
▪ Benefits of certification
Agenda

3. The Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) program was
developed in the early 1980s as a means of professional
development for individuals who mobilize and manage volunteers.
From the beginning, this certification was intended to be:
▶ applicable to all types of settings and organizations
▶ competency-based
▶ international in scope
CCVA was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Virginia in
June 2006 with the following mission:
CCVA promotes and certifies excellence in volunteer administration to
advance the capacity of communities to effectively engage
volunteers.
 2018: Cumulative 1700+ CVAs awarded in 10 countries
History

4. Body of Knowledge and
Competency
▪ Plan for Strategic Volunteer Engagement
▪ Advocate for Volunteer Involvement
▪ Attract and Onboard a Volunteer Workforce
▪ Prepare Volunteers for their Role
▪ Document Volunteer Involvement
▪ Manage Volunteer Performance and Impact
▪ Acknowledge, Celebrate and Sustain Volunteer
Involvement

5. ○ Universal, applicable to all settings
○ Competency-based certification
○ Developed by peers
○ Voluntary
○ Open to individuals from any type of organization,
with either salaried or non-salaried experience
○ Internationally accessible
○ A “how to” course or class
○ An education-based certificate of completion
○ Linked to a specific college or university
The CVA Credential
IS…
IS NOT…

6. ▪ Minimum of three years experience (paid or
unpaid)
▪ At least 30 % of current position related to
volunteer resources management
▪ Documented educational and experiential
readiness
Candidate Eligibility

7. ▶ Download the current 2018 CVA Certification Handbook (PDF)
▶ Review and complete the Documentation of Eligibility table
▶ Obtain one letter of professional reference
▶ Prepare your resume as a PDF
▶ Save your Documentation of Eligibility table as a PDF
▶ If you have a Google account you may complete the 2018 CVA Application and submit
your Documentation of Eligibility, letter of professional reference, and resume
directly through the application.
▶ If you do not have a Google account please complete our Online 2018 CVA
Application and email your Documentation of Eligibility, letter of professional
reference, and resume to info@cvacert.org
▶ Submit your payment through PayPal or mail a check to PO Box 2153, San Francisco,
CA 94126
All materials and payment must be submitted before review by CCVA.
Incomplete applications not accepted.
How To Apply

8. ▪ Your Reference Letter must be from a current or recent
supervisor, a current CVA, or a professional colleague
familiar with applicant’s leadership and management of
volunteers.
▪ The content of the letter should include:
1) Brief summary of the relationship to or history with the
applicant;
2) Brief description of two to three specific examples of the
candidate’s effectiveness as a leader and manager of volunteer
engagement.
Reference Letter

9. ▪ Regular fee: $350 US
▪ Member discounted fee: $315 US
Points of Light – HandsOn
Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement
Volunteer Canada
VolunteerMatch
Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada
Habitat for Humanity International
National Association for Volunteer Programs in Local Government
United Way Worldwide
▪ Exam re-sit fee: $95 US
▪ CVA Renewal fee: $175 US
2018 FEES

10. ▪ 100 multiple choice questions to assess:
▪ Knowledge: recall of facts, concepts, procedures
▪ Application: ability to apply knowledge to situations and scenarios
▪ 10 Field Test questions (not scored)
▪ All questions based on Body of Knowledge and Competencies
▪ All questions equally weighted
▪ Two hours to complete the exam (computer based testing)
▪ Scored on a pass/fail basis
The CVA Exam

11. ▪ Delivered via computer using Assessment Systems global
network of testing centers with on-site proctoring
▪ Candidates schedule their own exam
▪ Exam Schedule:
The CVA Exam
Spring Exam Window
First 2 full weeks of April
Application Deadline
March 16
Fall Exam Window
First 2 full weeks of October
Application Deadline
September 14

12. ▪ Exam content not based on memorization of any particular
book or reference.
▪ Self-study focused on gaps in your knowledge and/or
experience
▪ Sample references:
Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice
http://cvacert.org/resources-and-media/ccva-textbook/
Ellis, Susan. From the Top Down. (1996)
www.energizeinc.com/store/
e-Volunteerism – The Electronic Journal of the Volunteer Community
http://www.energizeinc.com/store/
Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration
http://www.cvacert.org/professional.htm
Exam Reference Materials

13. ▪ Comprehensive CVA Certification Handbook
▪ Self-Assessment tool
▪ Local study group or study-buddy
▪ Connections with CVAs near you or in similar settings
▪ Sample test questions (not intended as a major study
tool)
▪ FAQ’s
▪ Visit http://cvacert.org/cva-candidates/
Candidate Support

14. ▪ Use of CVA designation
▪ Certificate
▪ Announcement letter
▪ CVA Registry on website
▪ Invitation to join committees
▪ Lapel pin
Award of CVA Status

15. ▪ Required every 5 years
▪ Must earn 35 Professional Development Units
(PDUs) per 5-year recertification cycle
▪ Demonstrate learning, professional growth,
leadership
▪ Maximum flexibility, minimum time to track
▪ Details and tracking forms provided
Certification Renewal

16. Benefits of Certification
▪ Increased confidence
▪ Enhanced credibility
▪ Learning through self-assessment
▪ Increased commitment
▪ Transferable validation of knowledge and skills

17. Benefits of Certification
▪ Affirmation of current practice
▪ Demonstrated organizational commitment to
excellence
▪ External validation of professional
competencies and leadership potential
▪ Connections to other like-minded peers!

18. Are YOU Ready?
▪ 3+ years of experience
▪ More years of experience does not mean you have a
better chance of success
▪ This is NOT about memorizing what you read
▪ Emphasis on understanding universal principles and
concepts of effective practice
▪ Professional certification is a rigorous process requiring
time and focus

19. Council for Certification in
Volunteer Administration (CCVA)
Email: info@cvacert.org
Website: http://cvacert.org