Clery Compliance Officer Certification Program
NACCOP offers a Clery Compliance Officer Certification Program (CCO Certification Program) for eligible employees of colleges and universities who want to benefit from NACCOP’s unmatched practical expertise in leading and managing Clery Act compliance activities.
The CCO Certification Program will provide participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a comprehensive professional development program that leads to a professional credential from the only association serving the needs of Clery compliance officers and professionals.
Why Should You Participate? - Why Should Your Institution Support Your Participation? - Program Eligibility
Program Requirements - Timeline for Completion - Application Process - Costs
Why Should You Participate? Return to Top
The purpose of the CCO Certification Program is to provide a professional-level credential for practitioners involved in managing Clery Act compliance activities at their respective colleges and universities. The certification will demonstrate the candidate’s successful completion of a rigorous combination of educational initiatives that will prepare them to effectively lead their institution’s Clery Act compliance program.
In addition to receiving comprehensive instruction through a series of in-person, online and on-demand programs, participants will receive personalized attention and feedback from the leaders of NACCOP as they work through the various components of the Certification Program.
- Achieve a professional-level credential
- Develop expertise in Clery Act compliance
- Become a leader in the field
- Learn how to develop an effective system to keep your institution in compliance
- Interact and network with other CCO Certification Program Candidates
- Prepare for growth and future advancement
- Participate in a rigorous combination of educational initiatives designed to prepare you to effectively lead your institution’s Clery Act compliance program.
Why Should Your Institution Support Your Participation in the CCO Certification Program? Return to Top
The Clery Act is a complex and ever-evolving law riddled with ambiguous rules with many exceptions. The consequences of noncompliance are far-reaching for institutions. Fines and reputational damage stemming from negative media attention are just the tip of the iceberg for institutions that have been subject to a Department of Education program review that identified one or more violations of the Clery Act.
By supporting participation in the CCO Certification Program, institutions are making a strategic investment in the professional development of personnel involved in Clery compliance activities to mitigate the risk of noncompliance that stems from a poorly designed and/or executed compliance program.
Institutions have a responsibility to ensure that the personnel involved in managing Clery Act compliance activities have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively lead the institution’s Clery Act compliance program. The CCO Certification Program will provide participants with expert instruction related to the foundational aspects of Clery compliance activities. The program also provides a mechanism for assessing participants’ knowledge and understanding of the law, as program participants must demonstrate they have mastered essential concepts prior to completing the Certification Program and claiming the associated credential (Certified Clery Compliance Officer). Employees completing the program will be in an outstanding position to enhance their service to the sponsoring institution by bolstering its capacity to get into and/or maintain compliance with the Clery Act.
- Ensure that your staff has mastered essential concepts to effectively lead the institution’s Clery Act compliance program.
- Make a strategic investment in the professional development of your staff
- Mitigate the risk of noncompliance and its consequences (i.e. fines, negative media publicity, etc.)
- Provide your staff with a network of other credentialed practitioners
- Allow your staff to achieve a professional credential
- Enhance administrative capacity to manage Clery Act compliance, as expected by the Department of Education.
Program Eligibility Return to Top
Individuals employed by a college or university who are working as a Clery Compliance Officer/ Coordinator can apply to become a Certified Clery Compliance Officer through the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals (NACCOP).
Individuals not employed by a college or university who are employed instead by a college or university system, consortia, or state higher education body may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Persons seeking to confirm their eligibility to apply to the CCO Certification Program should contact assistant@naccop.org before proceeding with the online application.
Minimum Requirement:
• Candidate has served in the role of coordinating or assisting in the coordination of Clery compliance activities at an institution of higher education for a minimum of two years.
Prerequisite:
• Successful completion of the D. Stafford & Associates Clery Act Compliance Training Academy since January 1, 2016.Register Here for DSA Clery Academy
Participants in the CCO Certification Program must be free from any competitive interests, including but not limited to, providing Clery Act instructional or consulting services as an independent contractor and/or company owner/partner.
Program Requirements Return to Top
The certification program consists of the following 3 Program Requirements and successful completion of a Certification Exam. The Program Requirements include:
• Successful completion of a self-paced online training program
• Participation in a series of live webinars designed specifically for the certification program
• Successful completion of a writing assignment
The detailed version of the above listed requirements is provided to the candidates when the application is accepted and they are placed into a cohort. Each candidate will be provided a cohort start date and a mandatory completion date for the Program Requirements and the Certification Exam.
Candidates who successfully earn the NACCOP CCO Certification will be required to complete the required on line classes each year to maintain the certification.
Timeline for Completion Return to Top
The candidate must complete the certification program requirements within 24 months of the start date of their certification process (the official start date will be provided by NACCOP). The Certification Exam is not considered part of the Program Requirements. Completion of the Certification Exam must be accomplished no later than one year of the completion of the three Program Requirements.
Application Process Return to Top
Candidates who meet the minimum requirement and the prerequisite can submit the application, their cover letter which should focus on their experiences in complying with the Clery Act, an updated resume and copy of their D. Stafford & Associates Clery Compliance Academy certificate to the application form.
If the applicant is accepted into the program, the candidate will receive an acceptance letter and an invoice at that time. Additional program specific information including details about important deadlines regarding the program will be provided after candidates receive an acceptance letter. If the applicant is not accepted, they will be notified as well.
Costs Return to Top
Certification Fee for NACCOP Members: a one-time certification fee of $2,800. The annual recertification fee is $275 and will begin in the calendar year following the candidate’s completion of the CCO Certification Program.
Institutions will have the ability to pay the certification fee in one, two or three installments (the entire fee must be paid prior to the candidate taking the Certification Exam).
- If the institution chooses the two installment plan, an initial invoice of $1,400 will be provided upon acceptance into the program and a second invoice for $1,400 will be provided approximately 12 months later.
- If the institution chooses the three installment plan, an initial invoice of $933.34 will be provided upon acceptance into the program, a second invoice will be provided after 12 months of $933.33 and a third invoice will be provided after 24 months of $933.33.
The fees listed above are based on an active membership at the time of joining and maintaining an active membership to be eligible for the member recertification rate.
Certification Fee for Non-Members: a one-time certification fee of $3,800. The annual recertification fee is $375.00 and will begin in the calendar year following the candidate’s completion of the CCO Certification Program.
Institutions will have the ability to pay the certification fee in one, two or three installments (the entire fee must be paid prior to the candidate taking the Certification Exam).
- If the institution chooses the two installment plan, an initial invoice of $1,900 will be provided upon acceptance into the program and a second invoice for $1,900 will be provided approximately 12 months later.
- If the institution chooses the three installment plan, they will receive an initial invoice of $1,266.68 upon acceptance into the program, a second invoice after 12 months of $1,266.66 and a third invoice after 24 months of $1,266.66.