South Carolina Fall 2026 CVA Study Group Participant Application

Page 1 of 2 - Pre-Application General Information

UWASC Americorps SC combined Logo
[Section 1] About this Application
Thank you for your interest in the South Carolina CVA Study Group!

This application is used to assess eligibility and interest in participating in a sponsored study group for individuals pursuing the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential.


Applicants selected for sponsorship will:

  • Have the Exam Fee for the Certification in Volunteer Administration paid for by the SC Service Commission
  • Receive a complimentary copy of the approved CCVA textbook - shipped upon acceptance into the study group
  • Participate in a 7-week peer-led study group designed to support exam preparation

Please note that the South Carolina CVA Study Group is independent of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA). Completing this application does not constitute an application to CCVA, nor does acceptance into the study group guarantee approval to sit for the CVA exam. Applicants must independently meet all CCVA eligibility requirements and submit their own certification application through CCVA.


We encourage interested applicants to review the information below carefully before proceeding.


This application deadline is July 17, 2026 by 5:00PM



All applicants MUST register and attend a meeting on August 5, 2026 from 10:00AM-11:00AM. This session will formally cover the CVA Study Group time commitment, the requirements by CCVA for the exam, and important deadlines. Applicants can register for that meeting using this link


Failure to attend the August 5 meeting may disqualify you for participation in the SC CVA Fall Cohort unless the applicant has a previous engagements. If a previous engagement would keep an applicant from attending this session then they must schedule time with Mallory Panuelo, CVA to go over the information covered prior to August 7, 2026. To schedule time with Mallory please use this link.


Applicants can expect to receive notification of acceptance into the study group from a study group facilitator by 5:00PM on August 7, 2026.

[Section 2] What is a Certification in Volunteer Administration?
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.

If you would like to learn more about CVA, and the exam format, please register for one of the following info sessions hosted by CCVA:

July 9, 2026 12:00pmEST
Register in advance for this meeting HERE.

July 13, 2026 10:00amEST
Register in advance for this meeting HERE.

Please note: These sessions are hosted by CCVA and they have no affiliation with our study group. They will not be able to answer questions pertaining to this study group, sponsorship process, and anything else related to the SC CVA Fall Cohort.


If you would like to learn more about CVA, the exam format, and the SC CVA Study Group from one of the SC Study Group facilitators prior to the submitting an application, please register for the following info session:

July 15, 2026 10:00AM EST

Register in advance for this meeting HERE.

Please note: this session is not required and will be an informal Q&A after a brief explanation of CVA. Those who submit an application will still have to register for the August 5, 2026 meeting.

[SECTION 2] Application Progress Check

[Section 3] What are the Eligibility Requirements for a CVA?
In order to be eligible to take the CVA exam, applicants must meet specific educational
and work experience criteria at the time they submit their application. These
requirements are outlined below:

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 (Linked Here). 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.
Note: Any eligible individual from any country may apply for the CVA exam. However,
at this time CCVA only publishes the CVA exam in English.
[SECTION 3] Application Progress Check

[Section 4] What is the Time Commitment?
The South Carolina Service Commission is sponsoring applicants pursuing their CVA for the October 1-14, 2026 Exam Window. We will be reviewing applications and notifying the applicants eligible for sponsorship by August 7, 2026.

Applicants who fill out this application, and are accepted for sponsorship, must fill out their own applications for the exam by the application deadline on September 1, 2026 through the CCVA Website (Linked Here). Just because you receive sponsorship through the SC Service Commission does NOT mean you will be or have been accepted to take the exam.

In addition, to the application and exam, there will be a 7-week study group. All applicants accepted into the SC CVA Fall 2026 Cohort must commit to the following:
  • Starting on August 12, 2026 and ending on September 23, 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 (provided to the applicant upon acceptance into the study group). 
Because the South Carolina Service Commission is covering the cost of the application fee, textbook, and shipping, active participation in the study group is expected. Failure to participate may result in sponsorship being withdrawn.

Note: A textbook will be provided to applicants upon acceptance into the SC Service Commission Sponsored CVA Study Group and shipping will take 5-7 business days.

You can view a visual calendar for the study group which is LINKED HERE.
[SECTION 4] Application Progress Check

[SECTION 5] Follow-up Contacts
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
[SECTION 5] Application Progress Check

Page 2 of 2 - Application to serve as an SCCNCS Commissioner

UWASC Americorps SC combined Logo
[SECTION 5] Applicant Info
In this section, please fill out your basic contact information.











[SECTION 6] Eligibility Verification
Please respond to the following, selecting 'yes' for any and all that apply to you as of today.





[SECTION 6] Attestation to accuracy of provided information