NASW COURSE ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (CAP)
The following types of training have been approved for Continuing Education Hours through the NASW-Virginia Chapter’s or NASW-Metro DC Chapter’s Course Accreditation Program (CAP). If you are interested in any of these trainings, please contact the sponsoring organization using the provided contact information.
Before preparing your application, please review the complete overview of the NASW-VA Course Accreditation Program. This will provide clarity on various aspects of the process, including application requirements, timelines, and the administrative responsibilities of the sponsoring organization to ensure a smooth and successful Continuing Education event.
Scope and Goal of the Program
The NASW Virginia Chapter (NASW-VA) is an accrediting body for workshops, seminars, conferences, and courses in the behavioral health field, as outlined in the Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work issued by the Virginia Board of Social Work. The NASW-VA Course Accreditation Program (CAP) certifies educational programs that enhance Social Work knowledge across all practice areas (health, mental health, child/family services, etc.) and methodologies (clinical, administrative, management, policy, etc.). The goal of the program is to promote ongoing education for Social Workers throughout Virginia and to establish a professional standard of excellence in continuing education offerings.
Types of Programs Approved
Note: Attendees must participate in at least 85% of each training to receive credit.
Workshop: A single-day or partial-day program focused on delivering professional knowledge or skills. Up to 10 contact hours.
Conference: A multi-day event occurring over consecutive days and/or consisting of concurrent workshops, with less than 30 contact hours.
Series: A series of workshops (two or more, each providing at least 1 contact hour) with a general theme but varying topics and speakers. The sponsoring organization must submit one application for the entire series, including goals and objectives for the series and each individual event. Learning objectives, descriptions, and speaker credentials must be submitted with the initial application or at least 35 days before the event. Events not meeting this credential deadline will not be eligible for CE credits. All events must occur within one year of the initial application approval to be included in the series. Attendees may earn varying contact hours upon completion of the series.
Category I Continuing Education Contact Hours are based on the actual time spent in educational activities. One hour of instruction equals one contact hour. Time spent on conference registration, meals, snacks, social hours, rest breaks, or similar activities will not be counted. For example, if an educational program is held during a meal function, only the time spent on educational activities will be credited, not the time spent eating.
Topic Relevance
The topic must relate to one of the following areas:
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Social Work practice, theory, and/or methodology
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Social issues or policy
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Administration, planning, and research related to human services
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Behavioral Health
The implications of the topic must be clear, logical, and defendable, and this should be reflected in any promotional materials. Specific program learning objectives must be identified and supported with agendas, timetables, and content outlines. Event content must align with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Category I Continuing Education Contact Hours are based on the actual time spent in educational activities. One hour of instruction equals one contact hour. Time spent on conference registration, meals, snacks, social hours, rest breaks, or similar activities will not be counted. For example, if an educational program is held during a meal function, only the time spent on educational activities will be credited, not the time spent eating
Program Planning and Evaluation
A Social Worker must be involved in the program planning and evaluation process.
Instructor Qualifications
Instructors must be appropriately credentialed in their fields of practice. Qualifications are based on the following factors:
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Competence in the subject matter, as evidenced by work experience, formal education and training, publishing, public speaking history, and/or other peer recognition such as certificates, licenses, titles, and awards.
While a strict standard based solely on academic degrees will not be applied, it is recognized that individuals may be acknowledged as competent through various means, including published work and peer recognition.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the audience to contextualize speakers’ material and determine its application to their practice. Providers must ensure the timely submission of requested information.
In Virginia, there is no distinction between online and face-to-face training. Approved online courses by NASW-VA are considered Category I. Such courses will meet the Category I requirements as outlined by the VA Board of Social Work regulations.
Category I Continuing Education Hours: Certificate and Policy Information
NASW-Virginia Chapter does not issue certificates for Category II continuing education hours to speakers/presenters. Category I continuing education hours are offered exclusively to recognized attendees and are not available for professional activities or presentations.
Submission of Application Requirements
Applications, along with all supporting documentation, must be submitted electronically using the online form available on the Chapter’s website at least 45 days before the program date(s). The review process will commence only after all documents have been received and the appropriate processing fee has been paid. Late fees will apply if the application is submitted later than 45 days before the program date (see Chart of Fees). Applications received less than 5 business days before the program start date will NOT be accepted or reviewed.
Required Submissions:
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Completed application form
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Program agenda (including clock times, sequence of topics, and speakers)
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Speakers’ vitae or resume (maximum of 3 pages per speaker; do not submit biographical summaries)
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Copy of an evaluation form (download a sample evaluation form here)
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Abstract for NASW-VA website listing (if selected on the application)
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Purchased application fee
Applicants must identify specific program learning objectives and provide speaker credentials that align with NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education (NASW, 2002). Applications must include agendas, timetables, instructional methods, speaker CVs or resumes, and content outlines designed to meet the identified learning objectives. All files should be clearly labeled and submitted electronically via the Chapter’s website.
Contact Hours: One contact hour equals a 60-minute clock hour. Registration, lunch, and other breaks should not be included.
Ethics Hours: To qualify as Ethics hours, the training must address a majority of the six ethical standards listed in the NASW Code of Ethics, including Service, Social Justice, Dignity and Worth of the Person, Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity, and Competence. The presenter(s) should have competence in ethical training, and the training must be relevant to social work practice.
Sponsors must provide NASW-VA with a verified Attendee Roster/Evaluation Summary at the end of each 30-day period.
In Virginia, online and face-to-face training are considered equivalent. Approved online courses by NASW-VA are categorized as Category I and will meet the Category I requirements set by the VA Board of Social Work regulations.
Applications are reviewed once a completed application and payment have been received. The NASW-Virginia Committee will make a decision within 10 business days of receiving the complete application. If any part of your application requires additional information, the point of contact listed on your application will be notified.
Promoting NASW-VA Approval in Your Program Materials:
Approved courses should include the following statement: "This program has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers, Virginia Chapter for ___ Category I contact hours."
Post-Training Requirements for Sponsoring Organizations
After the training is completed, the sponsoring organization must take the following actions within 30 days to maintain compliance with NASW-VA's accreditation standards:
Verified Attendance Roster
The sponsoring organization must submit a verified attendance roster in Excel format. A sample spreadsheet with the required data fields is provided with the NASW-VA approval letter. The event sponsor may use any reliable method to track attendance, but every attendee must be listed on the Verified Attendance Roster. Failure to meet these requirements could jeopardize the approval of future trainings by NASW-VA.
Program Evaluation Summary
The training sponsor must provide all attendees with an evaluation tool to assess the speaker(s), program content, and overall satisfaction with the event, as well as offer space for additional feedback. Electronic surveys are acceptable, following the same guidelines. The sponsoring organization must compile a summary of all evaluations and submit it to NASW-VA along with the Verified Attendance Roster.
Submission Deadline
Both the Verified Attendance Roster and the Program Evaluation Summary must be submitted within 30 days after the completion of the training to projectadmin.naswva@socialworkers.org.
Important Message: If your multi-day training doesn’t necessitate full attendance for all event dates and the training sessions are interdependent, especially if each event date has a different title, then certificates must be purchased separately for each event date. This aligns with the Continuing Education (CE) credits issued for the specific title and CE earned on that particular event date.
Guidelines for Repeating or Requesting Retroactive Approval of an Application:
Repeating an Approved Application
A workshop, conference, symposium, or series previously approved by NASW-VA may be repeated up to three (3) times within one (1) year of the initial event date, provided there are no significant changes to the content, agenda, or speakers. The sponsoring organization must notify NASW-VA of the new date(s) and location(s) at least 30 days before the event to allow time for internal review and formal acknowledgment.
Requesting Retroactive Approval
The Chapter generally does not accept applications for training that has already occurred; however, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. To be eligible, the training must have taken place within three (3) months of the application submission, and the sponsor must pay both the standard application fee and the retroactive fee (see Fee Chart).
Submitting an application retroactively does not guarantee approval.
Continuing Education Credit Records & Issuance of Certificates
NASW Virginia Permanent Records
NASW-VA maintains permanent records of all applications, approvals, rejections, attendance, evaluation summaries, and CE certificates issued.
Instructions for Purchasing Certificates for the Course Accreditation Program (CAP) Sponsor Orders
Cost of CE Certificate: NASW Members - $7.00; Non-members - $12.00
⚠️ Enter the required information in the text box provided on the product page. You will not be able to proceed with your purchase without the required information.
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Log in with your login credentials
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Go to the Home tab > Click on Store
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From the dropdown, Select, CE (Virginia Non-Members) Certificate (priced at $12)
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Select the correct quantity of certificates needed
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Apply your discount code (provided via email 3-5 business days after post-document submission)
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Check out
Sponsors who are also NASW Virginia Members
Many of our sponsor that holds a NASW Virginia membership, utilizes their account for all their professional development needs with our organization. Please follow the instructions below:
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Log in with your login credentials
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Go to the Home tab > Click on Store
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From the dropdown, Select, CE (Virginia Members) Certificate (priced at $7)
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Select the correct quantity of certificates needed for active members
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Add Item > Continue Shopping
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From the dropdown, Select, CE (Virginia Non-Members) Certificate (priced at $12)
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Select the correct quantity of certificates needed for active members
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Add Item
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Check out
Purchase Individual and/or Replacements CE Certificates here
Please email, projectadmin.naswva@socaialworkers.com if you need further assistance. Thank you!
Checks must be payable to:
NASW-Virginia Chapter 4860 Cox Road
Suite 200, Glen Allen,
VA 23060
Thank you for applying to NASW-VA for approval of your continuing education event!