Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates must have met the following criteria to apply for the Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional (CPAIP) exam:

Must have completed a 40-hour domestic violence training program.

Candidates must submit documentation that they have completed a 40-hour domestic violence training that is consistent with the requirements for ICDVPs. Current partner abuse intervention professionals who cannot document that they have completed the 40-hour training may submit a letter requesting a waiver of this requirement and explaining why they cannot document the training. Note that after August 1, 2008, only training completed through an ICDVP approved 40 hour training site will be accepted.

Must have completed a 20-hour partner abuse intervention-specific training.

"Candidates must have completed a 20 hour of partner abuse intervention specific training program intended to prepare individuals as partner abuse intervention facilitators, such as the 20 hour program offered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Emerge, Raven or Duluth. If an applicant is submitting a certificate for a partner abuse intervention facilitators training other than that offered by IDHS, the applicant must submit documentation demonstrating that the program they attended covered topics related to partner abuse intervention."

Must have completed 150 hours of satisfactory supervised partner abuse intervention experience in an IDHS protocol-approved program.

Candidates must submit documentation of their service hours. If such documentation is unavailable for long-time partner abuse intervention professionals, such individuals may submit a letter of explanation requesting an exemption from the proof of direct service requirement. The ICDVP, Inc. Board will determine if an exception can be made. This exemption will not be available after August 1, 2008.

Persons whose supervised experience has been obtained in more than one program may present documentation of supervision received in each program so long as the total number of supervised hours is at least 150 hours. Candidates who are presenting documentation from more than one program must submit a letter explaining why their supervision has been completed in more than one program.

As of August 1, 2008, service hours will only be accepted if supervised by a Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional.

Must submit to a criminal background check at their own expense within 4 months of application. *
Must be violence free for 5 years. Candidates who are ex-offenders for domestic battery or other offenses against family or household members must not have any arrests or convictions for the past five years and must have completed a partner abuse intervention program not less than three years prior to application. In addition, candidates must not have had an order of protection issued against them within five years.
Must agree to abide by the ICDVP, Inc. Code of Ethics for Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professionals

*Each Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional candidate shall obtain a background check by submitting Form ISP6-405B to the Illinois State Police as directed on the form. The form may be obtained from the Illinois State Police Website, at the following address: http://www.isp.state.il.us/services/uciaformreq.cfm

Who should apply to become a Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional?

The Illinois Department of Human Services has created a protocol for partner abuse intervention programs and sets minimum training requirements for individuals who work at protocol approved programs. It is the program that is approved, not the individual.

The Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional credential indicates that an individual has:

	gained the essential skills to facilitate partner abuse intervention groups,
	accepted the premise that the major purpose for this work is the protection of victims,
	chosen to lead a violence-free life,
	agreed to abide by the Partner Abuse Intervention Professional’s Code of Ethics,
	accepted the need for accountability for individuals engaged in this work, and
	committed to continuing professional development by participating in continuing education.

In order to take the exam, an individual:

	Must have completed a 40-hour domestic violence training. (see #1 above)
	Must have completed a 20-hour partner abuse intervention-specific training. (see #2 above)
	Must have completed 150 hours of satisfactory supervised work at an IDHS protocol-approved program. (see #3 above)
	Must not have perpetrated violence against any person within the past 5 years and must submit themselves to a criminal background check within 4 months of applying to take the test.
	Must not have an order of protection entered against him or her within the past 5 years.
	Have read and agree to abide by the ICDVP, Inc. Code of Ethics for Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professionals.

Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professionals must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years in order to maintain the credential.

Are you ready to take the challenge and obtain the only credential that indicates that you have gained the necessary skills and attitudes to successfully do this work?

	Candidates must submit documentation of their service hours. If such documentation is unavailable for long-time partner abuse intervention professionals, such individuals may submit a letter of explanation requesting an exemption from the proof of direct service requirement. The ICDVP, Inc. Board will determine if an exception can be made. This exemption will not be available after August 1, 2008.
	Persons whose supervised experience has been obtained in more than one program may present documentation of supervision received in each program so long as the total number of supervised hours is at least 150 hours. Candidates who are presenting documentation from more than one program must submit a letter explaining why their supervision has been completed in more than one program.
	As of August 1, 2008, service hours will only be accepted if supervised by a Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional.