Who will have to be certified?
- Anyone employed by a local government or state agency whose job duties include providing mandated victim services (Article 15 of SC Code of Laws); OR
- Anyone employed by a SC victim assistance organization (as defined by the agency’s mission) whose job duties include providing direct victim services.
Even if providing victim services is not the employee’s main job, the employee must be certified if he or she provides direct victim services (e.g., victim notification of hearings, assistance with compensation claims, counseling assistance).
What are the requirements for certification?
Certification requirements will include fifteen hours of basic training. There will also be an annual continuing education requirement of twelve hours. Specific hourly requirements for different topic areas are forthcoming.
Who provides the training?
Victim service providers will be able to get training from a variety of approved sources, including organizational, local, state, regional, and national trainings. For a training to be approved, a course outline and other information must be submitted to the certifying entity.
Who provides the certification?
- Although training may come from a variety of sources, the certification itself will come from an approved certification program. All public providers must be certified through OVSEC, and nonprofit providers may be certified by OVSEC or by other approved certification providers.
- Annually, SC's Victim Service Coordinating Council - a multidisciplinary group representing public and private agencies involved in victim services - will consider applications from independent programs that wish to provide nonprofit certifications.
What are the benefits of getting certified through OVSEC?
OVSEC certification may be beneficial in allowing providers to get specialized training from their own preferred trainers (e.g., SCCADVASA, SCVAN, NOVA, MADD, POMC), yet also allowing providers working in a variety
of settings to earn a certificate that offers equivalent credibility and mobility across public and private programs.
If I already provide victim services, do I have to get certified?
Victim service providers employed in a SC public or private nonprofit program on or before January 1, 2009, are exempt from basic certification requirements, BUT they still must complete an application to show that they were employed at this time. They also must meet annual continuing education requirements.
If I am new to victim services, how long do I have to get certified?
Victim service providers employed in a SC public or private nonprofit programs after January 1, 2009, are required to complete basic certification requirements within one year from the date of employment. They also must meet annual continuing education requirements to maintain certification throughout their employment.
Where do I get an application?
You can download an application for certification here, or obtain a copy from the Office of Victim Services Education and Certification, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 463, Columbia, SC 29201 (phone: 803-734-0357). Once you submit your completed application, you will be added to a list for notifications about certification guidelines, trainings, and other important information.
What if I am unable to complete my required hours due to a medical condition?
The Office of Victim Services Education & Certification (OVSEC) may waive the training and certification requirements when the applicant's failure to meet such requirements was the result of a medical condition. The decision to grant a waiver shall be made by the Director on a case-by-case basis that considers the relevant factors, including, the severity, duration and timing of the medical condition, and presentation of a medical excuse with the treating doctor’s name and the dates that you were excused. If the Director denies a request for a waiver, the applicant may appeal to the Victim Services Coordinating Council.
