OLD Course Accreditation Program (CAP)

NASW VIRGINIA COURSE ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (CAP)
[Revised 06.2018]

Please read the entire overview of the NASW-VA Course Accreditation Program prior to preparing and submitting an application. This will clarify many aspects of the process including application requirements, time frame, and administrative responsibilities of the sponsoring organization to ensure a smooth and successful Continuing Education event.

Scope and Goal of Program

NASW Virginia is an accrediting body for workshops, seminars, conferences or courses in the behavioral health field as indicated in the Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work issued by the Virginia Board of Social Work. The NASW Virginia Chapter (NASW-VA) Continuing Education Program certifies workshops, conferences, seminars and other types of programs that contribute to Social Work knowledge in all areas of practice (health, mental health, child/family services, etc) and methodology (including clinical, administrative, management, policy, etc). The goal of the program is to encourage the continuing education of all Social Workers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and to establish a professional standard of excellence in those continuing education offerings.

Application Requirements

Applicants will be expected to identify specific program learning objectives, and speaker credentials that are consistent with NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education (NASW, 1982). Applications must include agendas, timetables, method(s) of instruction, speaker CVs or resumes, and content outlines designed to meet the identified learning objectives. All files should be clearly labeled and sent electronically.

Approved providers agree in advance to return the following documents to the NASW-VA Chapter office within 30 days after the program has concluded:

An Excel spreadsheet containing registrants’ info and CE hours completed
Program evaluation summary

Application Processing Fees

A nonrefundable fee covering application processing is assessed to providers. The current fee structure is:

One-Day Program Application: $140.00
Any workshop, seminar, or symposium with a minimum of 1 hour of program time, which does not span more than one calendar day.
One-Time Repeat of Approved Event: $35.00
A single-day workshop, seminar, or symposium which has been previously approved by NASW-VA may be repeated once without major changes to content, agenda, or speaker(s) within one year of accreditation. The sponsoring organization must notify NASW-VA of the new date(s) and location at least 30 days prior to the event to allow time for formal acknowledgement and posting of event (optional).
Multi-Day Conference Application: $275.00
Any conference that is greater than one calendar day. This program cannot be repeated. A new application must be submitted each year for approval.
Series Program: $80.00 per topic/session in the Series (must be paid in full at the initial application date)
Any workshop series (of two or more) with a general theme, but different topics/speakers for each event. The providing agency will submit one application with goals and objectives for the "Series" and supporting goals and objectives for each "event". Learning objectives, description, speaker credentials, etc. must be submitted at the initial application date OR a minimum of 35 days prior to the event. If speaker credentials are not received a minimum of 35 days prior to the event, that particular event will not be eligible for CE credit. All "events" must take place within one year of the approval of the initial application to be considered as part of the series program.
Online Learning Courses:
NASW-VA approves online learning courses using the same criteria as the categories above based on the content/coursework. i.e. a multi-day online course would be processed under the multi-day conference application fee.
- In Virginia there is no discrepancy between online and face to face. If an online course is approved by NASW-VA it is considered Category I. Online courses if approved will meet the Category I requirement as it relates to the VA Board of Social Work regulations.
Other Fees:
- Continuing Education Certificates: $5.00 for NASW members, $10.00 for nonmembers
  Attendees may order CE certificates through the on-line store at www.naswva.org. The cost is $5 for NASW members and $10 for non-members. Conference sponsors may contact NASW-VA to pay the certificate fees for their attendees and place a bulk order.
- Late Charge: $50
  Applications received less than 35 days prior to a program will incur a $50 late fee for a rush process.

NASW-VA CAP Evaluation Criteria

Application Content
Applications must contain sufficient information for evaluation by the NASW-VA Continuing Education Program Certification Committee (hereafter referred to as "the Committee"). If the Committee deems the submitted information insufficient, additional information may be requested from the conference provider before rendering a final decision. Failure to submit such data may serve as the basis for denying approval.

Topic information must relate to one of the following:

Social Work practice, theory and/or methodology;
Social issues or policy;
Administration, planning, and research related to human services.
Behavioral health

The implications must be clear, logical, and defendable. This information should be reflected in any promotional material. Specific program learning objectives must be identified and supported with agendas, timetables, and content outlines. Event content must be congruent with the tenets of the NASW Code of Ethics.

Speakers are regarded as qualified to present on a topic based on the following factors:

Competence in subject matter (as evidenced by work experience, formal education and training, publishing and/or public speaking history, and/or other recognition by peers including certificates, licenses, titles, and/or awards).

Requests are anticipated from individuals with a diverse array of credentials and experience. Accordingly, a strict standard will not be established solely on the basis of academic degree.

It is recognized that individuals may have become known and accepted as competent within their fields without necessarily having achieved higher academic or professional credentials. These individuals, including well-published authors, have unique contributions to make to our knowledge.

NOTE: It is the singular responsibility of the audience to place speakers’ material in the appropriate context and determine any application of speakers’ material to their practice. Provider agrees to provide the requested information in a timely manner.

Application Evaluation and Certification Process

The Committee shall act on a CAP application within 35 days of Chapter receipt. Acceptance or rejection notifications or requests for additional information shall be emailed to continuing education providers within 5 working days of the Committee’s evaluation. Note: If application is received less than 35 days there will be a $50 charge added to your fee for a rush process.

Category I Continuing Education Contact hours will be conferred on the basis of the actual time expended in educational activities. One hour of instruction equals one contact hour. Accordingly, time allocated for conference registration, meals, snacks, social hours, rest breaks, or similar elements will be disqualified. For example, if an educational program is connected with a meal function, time spent eating is not included, but there may be credit for the educational portion of that session.

Questions regarding the accrediting decisions should be directed to the Professional Development Coordinator. Should further information or actions be desired, inquiries may be directed to the NASW-VA Chapter Executive Director.

Continuing Education Credit Records & Issuance of Certificates

Permanent Records
NASW-VA maintains records of all applications, approvals, rejections, attendance, evaluation summaries, and CE certificates issued. Individuals or event sponsors may request copies of their own attendance and certification records by contacting the NASW-VA Chapter office.
A processing fee of $25 for any item other than a replacement CE certificate will apply. Replacement CE certificates will remain $5 for NASW members and $10 for nonmembers.

Documentation of Attendance
NASW-VA requires evidence that participants have satisfactorily completed the approved activity before issuing CE certificates. It is the responsibility of the event sponsor to certify attendance and contact hours earned for each participant within 30 days of the event.

Verified Attendance Roster
Upon conclusion of the event, the sponsoring organization must submit a verified attendance roster - in Excel format - providing information necessary to process CE certificates. (A sample spreadsheet showing required data will be provided to approved CE sponsors.) The event sponsor may use any reliable method to track attendance but everyone requesting a CE certificate must appear on the verified roster. If requirements are not met, this could jeopardize the approval of future trainings by NASW-VA.
Program Evaluations
All attendees must be provided with an evaluation tool to rate the speaker(s), program content, overall satisfaction with the professional development event, and allow for additional feedback. Electronic surveys are acceptable and the same guidelines apply. A summary of the program evaluations completed by attendees must be compiled by the sponsoring organization and sent as part of the required materials to NASW-VA within 30 days of the CE event.

Issuance of Certificates
NASW-VA will issue CE certificates to participants who have successfully completed the program and appear on the verified attendance roster. Each participant must complete at least 85% of all sessions for which they are seeking credit. Contact hours will be awarded based on the verified attendance roster provided by the event sponsor.

CE certificates may be ordered online by individual attendees or in bulk by the sponsoring organization. The fee is $5 for NASW members and $10 for non-members. Once all required documentation is received by the Chapter, certificates will be processed and emailed within 2-4 weeks of online order. Bulk orders may be placed directly through the NASW-VA office in lieu of ordering online by contacting the Chapter Professional Development Coordinator.

Promoting NASW-VA Approval on Your Program Literature:

Prior to approval: Promotional material must state, "Continuing Education Approval from NASW Virginia Chapter is pending".
Courses approved by NASW Virginia: Should have the following information: "This program has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers, Virginia Chapter for ___ Category I contact hours."

Website Advertisement
Sponsors have the option of having approved programs listed on the NASW-VA Chapter website in Upcoming Events. The listing will be removed after the date of the conference. If a scheduled repeat of a one-day program is submitted within appropriate time guidelines, it will also be listed.

Submit an Application/Pay Application Fees

We have recently streamlined our process! Read the instructions below, then Click the green button below to proceed to the online CAP Application form.

Helpful hint: Do this several months prior to your event in order to become familiar with the requirements and have sufficient time to obtain supporting documentation.

1. When you have completed the application, submit it through the form. You will receive a confirmation form as well as a copy of your submission via email immediately.

2. Your application will not be processed until we receive the application fee. You can pay this online and a link will be provided in both the on screen confirmation page as well as the thank you confirmation email. Paying online is the quickest way to proceed through the process. If you must send a check, please notify the Chapter office at 804.204.1339.

3. Please call or email the Chapter office with any questions. We are here to help!

Thank you for applying to NASWVA for approval of your continuing education event!

Click Here for CAP Application