Frequently Asked Questions |
Q1. What is the organizational structure of ACVREP? -Answer-
Q2. Are faxed or emailed applications accepted? -Answer-
Q3.When submitting an eligibility application, is it necessary to send original supporting documentation? -Answer-
Q4. Why is there a need for a test to be part of certification? -Answer-
Q5. Does ACVREP have study guides for applicants to use in preparing for the certification examination? -Answer-
Q6. Can I take any of the ACVREP certification examinations in my own community? -Answer-
Q7. Will you contact me when my certification is about to expire? -Answer-
Q8. How do I become certified if my certification has lapsed? -Answer-
Q9. Is it possible to maintain certification if you are no long working in the field? -Answer-
Q10. If I was certified prior to July 1, 2003, should I use the old or new recertification criteria when I apply for recertification? -Answer-
Q11. Do I have to obtain all of my continuing education (CE) hours from ACVREP approved CE providers? -Answer-
Q12. When I transferred my permanent certification from AER to ACVREP, why does my certificate have two different dates? -Answer-
Q13. How do I renew my AER membership? -Answer-
Q14. What are the correct designations for each certification program that ACVREP administers? -Answer-
Q15. How are these designations used? -Answer-
Q16. Who may use these designations? -Answer-
Q1. What is the organizational structure of ACVREP?
A1. ACVREP has a 11 member Board of Directors, six of whom are ACVREP certified
professionals. Other members of the Board are an employer of certified professionals,
at least one eye care specialist, an individual who is visually impaired and not
employed in the field, and other individuals the Board deems important. Each Board
member will serve a three-year term (staggered), with board members elected by
the Board of Directors. ACVREP’s three certification programs (Low Vision Therapy,
Orientation and Mobility, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy) have their own committees
to make specific recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding certification
standards, program, and process changes. A representative from each certification
committee sits on the Board of Directors as well.
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Q2. Are faxed or emailed applications accepted?
A2. No, we must receive all application materials through the mail
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Q3. When submitting an eligibility
application, is it necessary to send original
supporting documentation?
A3. ACVREP requires official transcripts documenting the
applicant’s Bachelor’s degree and/or Master's degree (or foreign equivalency)
in specified areas of study. Also, the applicant must submit the original clinical
competency evaluation form(s) completed by the internship supervisor(s). It is
recommended that applicants maintain a copy of all application materials sent
to ACVREP.
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Q4. Why is there a need for a test to be part of certification?
A4. In order for certification to meet recognized national standards, an
examination to demonstrate competency is part of the expectation. A certification
examination is the recognized method to demonstrate professional knowledge and
competency.
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Q5. Does ACVREP have study guides for applicants to use in preparing
for the certification examination?
A5. No, ACVREP doesn’t have study guides. AER does have a study guide for
individuals seeking certification in Low Vision Therapy but they do not have study
guides for Orientation and Mobility or Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Please contact
AER at 1-877-492-2708 or 703-671-4500 to purchase the Low Vision Study Guide.
In each of ACVREP’s certification handbooks, there is a section titled “Test At
A Glance” that provides some information about the certification examination.
The handbooks also provide a list of references from which the exam questions
came. You might want to review the references listed as you prepare for the exam.
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Q6. Can I take any of the ACVREP certification
examinations in my own community?
A6. Yes, although ACVREP maintains a list of examination sites and
dates on the “Exam Information” page of its website, you can arrange to take an
exam in your local community. If you can solicit three or more individuals
(including yourself) to take an exam on the same date, ACVREP will pick up the
testing center fee and/or proctor fee, if applicable. If there are less
than three people, then you would be responsible for these fees, if applicable.
Please work with Lisa Worden (lworden@acvrep.org
or 520-887-6816) at the ACVREP office to schedule an exam in your community.
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Q7. Will you contact me when my
certification is about to expire?
A7. Yes, at six months prior to your recertification expiration date,
we send you a letter informing you that it is time to recertify. If we don’t hear
from you, we then send a reminder letter three months prior to your recertification
expiration date. Sometimes we receive “returned” letters because certificants
move but forget to update our office. Please note that it is your responsibility
to provide address, phone, email address, etc. changes to the ACVREP office when
they occur. Top-
Q8. How do I become certified if
my certification has lapsed?
A8. Candidates initially granted certification but who have not made
application for recertification and, thus, technically certification has expired,
may be reinstated within one calendar year following the expiration date if they
meet the recertification requirements (or opt to take the exam and pass), pay
the recertification late fee, and any late annual fees. If a candidate has allowed
his or her certification to expire or has been determined to be ineligible for
recertification for longer than one year, he or she will have to go through the
entire certification process again, including submitting an eligibility application,
taking and passing the exam, and applying to the ACVREP Board of Directors for
certification. The candidate must submit all of the necessary forms and fees,
including the payment of any late annual fees during the period of active certification,
as appropriate.
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Q9.
Is it possible to maintain certification if you
are no long working in the field?
A9. ACVREP
requires all certificants to renew their certification at five-year intervals.
As long as you meet the recertification criteria (or pass the exam) and are approved
by ACVREP’s Board of Directors, you can maintain certification. However, if you
can’t meet the current recertification criteria or choose not to retake the exam
as an option to recertify, you can always let your certification lapse and apply
at a later date.
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Q10. If I was certified prior to July 1,
2003, should I use the old or new recertification criteria when I apply for recertification?
A10. If you were certified
prior to July 1, 2003, you can elect, on a one-time basis, to use the old or new
recertification criteria. It would be to your advantage to review both sets of
criteria to see which set works best for you. The next time you seek recertification,
however, you will have to use the new recertification criteria, effective July
1, 2003. If you become a new certificant after July 1, 2003, you will have to
use the new recertification criteria when you recertify.
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Q11.Do
I have to obtain all of my continuing education (CE) hours from ACVREP approved
CE providers?
A11. Yes, this requirement became effective beginning July 1, 2004.
However, you will still be able to use any CE hours you obtained prior to July
1, 2004 for recertification, regardless of whether or not the CE provider applied
for and received ACVREP approval. The “Continuing Education” page on our website
provides current information on ACVREP approved CE providers. -Top-
Q12. When I transferred my permanent certification from AER to ACVREP,
why does my certificate have two different dates?
A12. Per an agreement with AER, AER paid for permanent certificants’ certification
through December 31, 2003. In November of 2003, all permanent certificants will
receive an invoice requesting payment for the last two years of certification
(through December 31, 2005). In July of 2005, you will receive a recertification
packet to recertify. To meet the 100 points required for recertification, you
can obtain points under four categories (see the “Recertification” page of our
website). These points must be accumulated between December 1, 2000 and December
1, 2005. Of course, you can also opt to take the exam to recertify, as long as
you pass.
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Q13. How do I renew my AER membership?
A13. ACVREP doesn’t handle AER membership issues as we are a separate organization.
Please contact the AER office at 1-877-492-2708 or 703-671-4500 for further information.
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Q14.
What are the correct designations for each certification program that
ACVREP administers?
A14.ACVREP
administers three certifications programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and
Mobility, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Once certification candidates are
approved, they receive an official letter of acceptance, a certificate, and a
logo pin. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold. If
you are certified in Low Vision Therapy, you may use the acronym CLVT and refer
to yourself as a Certified Low Vision Therapist. If you are certified in Orientation
and Mobility, you may use the acronym COMS and refer to yourself as a Certified
Orientation and Mobility Specialist. If you are certified in Vision Rehabilitation
Therapy (formerly Rehabilitation Teaching), you may use the acronym CVRT and refer
to yourself as a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.
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Q15. How are these designations used?
A15.Designations are important because they are used in conjunction with
an individual's name and title and are placed on, for example, business cards,
letterhead stationery, and logo pins. They are official emblems of the certification
program and should be used in a proper manner.
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Q16. Who may use these designations?
A16. Use of these certification designations are strictly limited to
those individuals who are currently certified by ACVREP. Individuals whose certification
has expired must cease using the designation until such time as they become
certified again. Individuals who use these designations or otherwise represent
themselves as being certified by ACVREP, without first having fulfilled all
certification requirements, will be deemed to be in violation of the certification
program’s Code of Ethics. Such individuals may be subject to legal action.
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