Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT)

Applying for ACVREP Certification: A Step by Step Process

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Applying for ACVREP Certification: A Step by Step Process

ACVREP certifies professionals in the disciplines of Low Vision Therapy (LVT), Orientation and Mobility (O&M), and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT). Before you begin the application process for certification, it is strongly recommended that you read the applicable certification handbook. To access the applicable certification handbook for the professional discipline under which you are interested in applying for certification please select this link.

In addition, you should also review the Code of Ethics pertaining to the discipline in which you are seeking certification. The Code of Ethics for each professional domain certified by ACVREP can be found in the applicable certification handbook.

1. Download the Eligibility Application for the discipline (Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility or Vision Rehabilitation Therapy) from the ACVREP website at www.acvrep.org. To access the applicable eligibility application, please select this link. Applicants for certification may also request the appropriate Eligibility Application from the ACVREP office, 3333 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 2, Tucson, AZ, 85719 or call 520.887.6816 (ext. 222).

2. When the application is completed, it should be mailed back to the ACVREP office with the required supporting materials and appropriate fee.

3. The initial application process has four steps:

A. Complete the appropriate Eligibility Application and required forms. Once the forms are completed, mail the application with required documentation and payment to the ACVREP office.  ACVREP staff will review the application to assess your eligibility to sit for the certification exam. If necessary, ACVREP staff will consult with the appropriate Certification Committee in the determination of applicant eligibility.

B. Once you are found eligible to sit for the domain-specific ACVREP Certification Examination, your status classification will be modified from “applicant” to “candidate.”  Upon achieving “candidate” status, ACVREP will provide you with the Examination Registration Form for the appropriate exam. The Examination Registration Form provides directions on how to create your “test taker account” within ACVREP’s online testing portal. As a candidate, you may at this time create your “test taker account.” However, you will not be able to schedule the exam (location, date, or time) until ACVREP has provided you with a voucher number to complete the process. This unique voucher number is valid for only one (1) administration of the certification exam.

The Examination Registration Form must be completed and returned to ACVREP with payment.  Once the completed Examination Registration Form and payment are received by ACVREP, a voucher number will be provided to you via e-mail. You will utilize the voucher number provided by ACVREP to complete the online exam scheduling process. It is expected by ACVREP that you will not share information regarding the exam registration/scheduling process (i.e. registration website address, login information, passwords, or voucher numbers) with any other individual. If you are found to have shared such information, you may face disciplinary action jeopardizing your eligibility to sit for the certification exam and/or to obtain ACVREP certification.    
Please note: Applicants are required to submit the Examination Registration Form within one (1) year after submitting their eligibility application.  For example, if an applicant submits an eligibility application on June 1st, s/he will need to submit an Examination Registration Form, with payment of the exam fee, prior to June 1st of the following year.  If the candidate does not submit the Examination Registration Form within the one (1) year timeframe, s/he must reapply for eligibility.

Please note: A rescheduling fee will be charged if an exam is canceled by a candidate after the acceptable cancellation deadline as specified by ACVREP and/or its testing contractor. 

4. It is the responsibility of the ACVREP staff to check each application packet to see that it is complete.  If it is not complete, the applicant will be notified via email and/or phone and requested to provide the required information to complete the application packet.

5. Upon the completion of all requirements, certification will be issued within five (5) business days via U.S. Postal Service ground mail. Based on the following initial grant date time-frames, the applicable expiration dates for initial ACVREP certificates are:

6. Certification will be issued for a five (5) year term. Once certification is issued, your status will be modified from “candidate” to “certificant.”