Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) is an international professional certification in the field of volunteer resources management. Sponsored by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA), this credential recognizes practitioners who meet specified standards as measured through a process of testing and peer review. Successful candidates who earn the credential may use the designation “CVA.” ” An international CVA registry is maintained and publicly available on the CCVA web site, www.cvacert.org.

Unlike “certificate” programs that involve classes or courses, the CVA is professional certification program that is competency-based. Intended for those with a strong foundation in volunteer administration, it is a self-study program that measures an individual’s “knowledge-in-use” — the application of knowledge and skills as documented by this competency framework. The certification process includes assessment of a candidate’s ability to structure tasks, process ideas, and solve problems related to volunteer engagement.

Individuals wishing to become certified must meet the following requirements in order to register as a candidate:

1. On the CCVA Application form, applicants must document their volunteer engagement experience, any education related to volunteer engagement and how they have demonstrated a minimum of 5 of the 7 competencies from the Body of Knowledge and Competencies.  This experience may be in paid or non-paid positions or a combination of both. 
2. Applicants must also submit a current resume.
3. The final requirement of the application is one letter of professional recommendation from a supervisor, colleague, or current CVA who is familiar with the applicant’s recent work with volunteers. The reference letter should include the following:

• Brief summary of the relationship to or history with the applicant
• Brief description of two to three specific examples of the candidate’s effectiveness as a leader and manager of volunteer engagement
• Include contact information for the author of the letter or a letterhead
• The letter must be signed and not exceed two pages.

Any eligible individual from any country may earn the CVA credential. However, at this time CCVA conducts the certification process in English only.

Renewal is required every five years in order to maintain the CVA credential. Individuals are expected to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) through a variety of activities that demonstrate they are active in the field and continuing to learn and develop as a professional in volunteer administration. CCVA also promotes the ethical standards for volunteer resources management as stated in Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration and views these principles as an essential part of competence in the field. Candidates for the CVA credential are required to affirm their intent to uphold these ethical standards.

The South Carolina Service Commission is sponsoring applicants pursuing their CVA for the April 1-14, 2026 Exam Window. We will be reviewing intent to apply applications and notifying the applicants eligible for sponsorship by January 15, 2026.

Applicants who fill out this intent to apply application and are accepted for sponsorship must fill out their own applications for the exam by the application deadline through the CCVA Website.

In addition, to the application and exam, we are offering a 7-week study group. All participants must commit to the following:

• Starting in February 2026, meet once a week for an hour and a half peer-led study group session.
• Dedicate time outside of the study sessions adequately preparing by reading the sections correlating to the study session topics in the CCVA Approved Textbook. 
  

Note: A textbook will be provided to applicants upon acceptance into the SC Service Commission Sponsored CVA Study Group AND verification that they are eligible to take the exam by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration.

For questions about the SC Service Commission sponsorship application process, the study group, or any other logistics support please contact:

Mallory Panuelo, CVA
State Lead for Civic Engagement
SC Commission on National and Community Service
mallory.panuelo@uwasc.org

For questions specific about the certification process or technical assistance for the application through the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration please contact them directly at:

info@cvacert.org