Certification

From our hearts to yours, a BIG offering of thanks to crime victim service providers, including Roper Academy Alumni Association (RAAA) who continue to bring comfort and calm to the lives of crime victims and their families, as well as kindred support to one another. ~ Wising everyone peace and good health

Certification

The Level I Multiple Choice Exam is being replaced with an interview process;
the Level II Exam is being replaced with a written essay on what changes are needed in Victim Services;
Level III Presentation will remain the same.

Maryland Victim Assistance Certification Program (MVSCP). Certification for Victim Assistance Professionals is available in three levels coinciding with years of experience and training. You are eligible to become certified within two years of entering the victim assistance field if you have completed a 40 hour basic training academy such as RVAAM, NVAA, or other SVAA. Each level has specific requirements and testing, as well as a minimal fee for processing. Once certified you will be required to complete continuing education training as well as certification renewal every three years.

SEASONED Victim Service Providers and Advocates May be Grandfathered into Level 1! Please inquire directly with the Certification Coordinator.
Prior to completing the certification requirements, you will need to:

Complete the Certification Application Form, download/print PDF below, and

Complete the Certification Payment Form download/print PDF below and submit with the Certification Application Form.

There are three levels of certification in Maryland, each require a specific set of qualifications and are described in detail below:

LEVEL I (VASI)
a) complete application packet; b) minimum of two years’ experience (paid or unpaid); c) 40 hours of training (RVAAM, NVAA, or other SVAA) and 3 hours of Ethics in Victim Services Training; d) interview; e) $50 application processing fee.

LEVEL II (VASII)
a) complete application packet; b) minimum of five years’ experience (paid or unpaid); c) 80 hours of training (40 hours RVAAM, NVAA, SVAA and 40 hours advanced training and/or University level coursework in victim services) and 3 hours of Ethics in Victim Services Training; d) written essay on what changes are needed in Victim Services; e) $75 application processing fee.

LEVEL III (VASIII)
a) complete application packet; b) minimum eleven years’ experience (paid or unpaid); c) 120 hours of training (40 hours RVAAM, NVAA, SVAA and 80 hours advanced training and/or University level coursework in victim services) and 3 hours of Ethics in Victim Services Training; d) oral presentation (in-person or web-based video conferencing through Zoom) on approved topic in Victim Assistance; e) $100 application processing fee.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at any time, Debbie Bradley, MVSCP Program Coordinator at bradleyd@harfordsheriff.org or

410-638-4905.

Scroll Down to Access Forms

​Certification

Certification