National Advocate Credentialing Program
About NACP
The National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)® professionalizes victim advocacy and upholds high standards, by providing credentialing services which evaluate and recognize standard training and direct service experience in victim services. Through our work, we are empowering advocates to be the best they can.
Our History: The National Advocate Credentialing Program, developed through the cooperative effort of multiple national and state victim assistance organizations, was launched in 2003 as the first voluntary credentialing program available to crime victim advocates nationwide.
Discussion about a national credentialing program for victim assistance professionals began in the 1980’s. By the early 90’s, several states had successful credentialing programs. In 2000, NOVA invited representatives from state, federal and national victim assistance organizations to discuss the implementation of a national credentialing program. At a meeting in 2001, although not all of the representatives reached consensus about co-sponsorship, NOVA’s members overwhelmingly supported the concept. In 2002, the NOVA Board of Directors unanimously voted to develop a national credentialing program. The Board introduced the NACP at NOVA’s 28th Annual Victim Assistance Conference in Nashville in 2002, and launched it in 2003. In 2012, the framework of NACP was used as the model for the development of the Department of Defense-Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program, also known as D-SAACP.
Quick Guide
Our Mission
To professionalize the field of victim advocacy and maintain professional standards of best practices for victim service providers through credentialing that recognizes standard training and direct service experience.
Application Windows and Review Dates
Application Window
Review Dates
Scheduled Review*
November 1st – January 31st
February
February 25-26, 2025
February 1st – April 30th
May/June
June 3 – 4, 2025
May 1st – July 31st
August
August 20 – 21, 2025
August 1st – November 30th
November/December
December 10 – 11, 2025
*Scheduled review dates are updated annually and are subject to change.
Benefits of Credentialing
Credentialing offers many benefits to those in the victim assistance field.
- Increase recognition, credibility, and professional mobility within the victim assistance field.
- Promote and recognize the implementation of standardized training.
- Ensure that the standards and practices of the field are initiated and defined by victim assistance professionals rather than external professional groups.
- Foster professional identity and unity among victim service professionals who adhere to a shared Professional Code of Ethics.
- Provide credentialed advocates with a certificate suitable for framing and a portable wallet card to signify their achievement.
- Enable credentialed advocates to use the designation “CA” after their names to reflect their professional status.
Apply to be a Credentialed Advocate
Direct service experience is assessed to determine the level of credentialing that applicants are eligible for and training experience is assessed based on the level being applied for.
New Applicants—All Levels of Credentialing:
- Minimum Training Requirement- Successful completion of an NACP Pre-Approved Training within 10 years of applying for NACP Credentialing (certificates of completion or transcripts are required).
- Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Service Providers
- Certifications
Provisional Level of Credentialing:
No direct service experience required (Not eligible for specialty designation)
- Minimum training requirement met and documentation provided.
Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Levels of Credentialing:
- Direct Service Verification (Memorandum of Confirmation)
- Basic: 3,900 hours providing direct services to victims and survivors of crime are require
- Intermediate: 7,800 hours providing direct services to victims and survivors of crime are required
- Advanced: 15,600 hours providing direct services to victims and survivors of crime are required
- Specialty Designation Training Log
- Basic: 20 hours of introductory training per specialty designation(s)
- Intermediate: 30 hours of training required per specialty designation(s)
- (20 hours of introductory training + 10 hours of advanced training)
- Advanced: 40 hours of training required per specialty designation(s)
- (20 hours of introductory training + 20 hours of advanced training)
- Client Contact Observation Form specific to specialty designation(s)
- 3 Letters of Recommendation specific to NACP Credentialing
First Time Applicants
Applying for the first time? Review the training requirements and levels of credentialing for first time applicants.
Renewal Applicants
Already credentialed and need to renew?
Note: You are continuing to build on the direct service and training requirements that were previously verified and approved in your prior submission(s).
D-SAACP to NACP Bridge Applicants
A Bridge Application is for those moving from military to civilian advocacy or those who wish to be dual credentialed by D-SAACP and NACP. Complete the NACP Bridge Application to become a Credentialed Advocate at the equivalent level of your D-SAACP certification.
- A copy of most recent D-SAACP Credential to verify your direct service and training experience.
- D-SAACP credentials must be active or less than 6 months expired at the time of applying with a Bridge Application.
What to do if your credentials are expired at the time of applying. >>>
D-SAAACP Level I = NACP Provisional
D-SAAACP Level II = NACP Basic
D-SAAACP Level III = NACP Intermediate
D-SAAACP Level IV = NACP Advanced
NACP Scholarship
We are committed to the professionalization of all crime victim advocates and allied professionals. NACP offers need-based scholarships to victim advocates who are new to the field of advocacy.
Eligibility:
- Advocates with two (2) or less years of direct service experience specific to victims and survivors of crime
- Advocates with who can convey a financial need or organization restrictions to securing funding to apply for NACP Credentialing
Requirements:
- Completed Application submitted by 11:59pm EST on the deadline indicated below (specific to Review Committee schedule)
- Resume
Application Windows:
- November 1st-January 31st (February Review)
- February 1st– April 30th (May/June Review)
- May 1st– July 31st (August Review)
- August 1st– October 31st (November/December Review)
Training and Continuing Education
Introductory Advocacy Training (Required for all new applicants)
Frequently Asked Questions
You can read a copy of NACP’s Code of Ethics here.
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