CAVS Exam Overview

What is the purpose of Certified Administrator of Volunteer Services (CAVS) designation?

The CAVS Certification is intended for professionals in healthcare volunteer management with a minimum of two years of paid experience. The purpose of CAVS certification is to promote healthcare volunteer services management through the certification of qualified individuals by:

  • Recognizing those who meet the CAVS eligibility requirements and pass the examination.
  • Encouraging continued personal and professional growth in healthcare volunteer services management.
  • Providing a global standard of knowledge for certification, helping employers, the public, and health professionals assess healthcare volunteer services managers.

The CAVS designation is achieved by completing and passing the online CAVS examination.

CAVS Exam Structure  

The CAVS exam is 100-question multiple-choice examination administered online either at a testing center or via live online proctoring. Candidates have two hours to complete the examination process. The exam is built on the CAVS classification system as outlined in the CAVS Handbook. Currently the classification system is comprised of seven key domains including:

  • Plan for Strategic Healthcare Volunteer Engagement
  • Advocate for Healthcare Volunteer Involvement
  • Attract and Onboard a Healthcare Volunteer Workforce
  • Prepare Healthcare Volunteers for Involvement 
  • Manage Healthcare Volunteer Performance and Impact
  • Acknowledge, Celebrate, and Sustain Healthcare Volunteer Involvement

Pricing

The application fee for the CAVS examination is $325, which includes a non-refundable processing and administration fee of $100

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CAVS examination, a candidate must have two years of paid professional experience in healthcare volunteer services management. 

CAVS Handbook

CAVS Handbook

The CAVS Handbook offers a comprehensive overview of the CAVS examination process from application and examination details to results and recertification requirements. It is mandatory that all applicants thoroughly  review the handbook before starting the application process. 

Access the CAVs Handbook

CAVS Exam Preparation

In alignment with the credentialing standards for certification exams, The Beryl Institute Credentialing Center does not publish or provide preparation materials for the CAVS exam. However, to support the preparation process, the following suggestions may be helpful in preparing candidates as they consider their own preparation strategy. 

  1. Knowledge and Competency Review. A complete review of the Body of Knowledge and Competencies in Healthcare Volunteer Management (2019) that can be found in the appendix of the CAVS handbook. 
  2. Prepare Based on the Examination Focus. Professional certification exams are designed to assess the candidate’s ability to apply concepts of effective practice rather than relying on memorization of specific information from a specific book or reference. To prepare for the CAVS exam, it is recommended that candidates focus on references and training that cover the information summarized in the CAVS Examination Content Outline.
  3. Explore Sample Exam Questions. The Appendix includes several samples to familiarize candidates with the format of the CAVS exam questions. These examples are not intended to serve as a primary study tool for exam content or as a predictor of exam performance. 
  4. Understanding of the testing environment. Meazure Learning, our learning partner, offers a free online tutorial and demo test to help candidates become familiar with the computer-based testing environment. This resource can be accessed at any time through any computer with internet access. Candidates may access the tutorial and demo on Meazure Learning's website. The demo is not intended to be a review of the examination content. 

Additionally, candidates can find an overview of the suggested preparation topics and sample questions in Appendix B and C of the CAVS Handbook.  

Exam Results

There may be up to a four-week period between the closure of the testing window and notification of results. This allows for thorough validation and scoring, ensuring the highest quality standards for all participants. Exam score reports are delivered via email. 

The Credentialing Center offers digital badging through Credly, allowing candidates to promote their CAVS certification on social media or share it online. 

Retaking the CAVS Exam

Candidates failing to pass the CAVS examination may retake it within 12 months of their originally scheduled exam date (i.e., during the next two testing windows). To do so, candidates must submit a re-examination application and pay a $175 re-examination fee.

Apply to Become a CAVS

Exam Testing Windows

Testing Window Exam Dates Application Deadline
January January 1-31 November 21
July July 1-31 May 21

 

Exams may be taken at any time during the testing window, subject to availability at testing centers and with online proctors.

 

Before You Apply

Complete the following steps before submitting your CAVS exam registration:

Review the CAVS Handbook
Download and review the CAVS Handbook in full. Acknowledgment of the Handbook is required as part of the CAVS certification application process.

Verify Your Beryl Institute Profile
Log in to your Beryl Institute profile and confirm that the following information is complete and accurate:

  • Your first and last name exactly match your legal ID (this will be required on exam day)
  • Your mailing address is complete and current (required for exam scheduling)
  • Your resume/CV has been uploaded

Applications submitted with incomplete or inaccurate profile information may delay approval or exam scheduling.

Payment Information
Payment must be received before your application can be approved for exam scheduling

  • The $325 exam fee includes a $100 non-refundable application fee
  • If your organization will pay, select “Bill Me” at checkout to generate an invoice

How to Update Your Profile

1. Click the person icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Select Access Your Account.
3. Click Edit My Profile on the left-hand menu.
4. Review and update your name and billing address.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Upload Files to upload your resume/CV.
6. Click Save.

Scheduling an Exam & Exam Locations

Meazure Learning will notify applicants via an email approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the testing window. This email will provide a unique username, password, and the URL to access Meazure Learning’s online scheduling system. Applicants will use this system to select a testing session, based on seating availability, location, and test date. 

The CAVS examination is offered at secure testing centers or through Live Online Proctoring (LOP). Meazure Learning offers over 1,300 test center locations in more than 700 cities in 115 countries. See the full list of testing locations. 

Submit Your Application

All applications are reviewed for eligibility. Approval decisions are typically made within 30 days of submission. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval to sit for the examination. Approval notifications will be sent to the email address associated with your Institute profile

Applications for the January 2027 CAVS exam will open in August 2026.

APPLY FOR THE JULY 2026 CAVS EXAM

CAVS Recertification

Maintain Your CAVS Designation

CAVS Certification is valid for three years from passing the examination or completing the most recent renewal. 

  • January CAVS recipients must renew by January 30, three years from examination window.
  • July CAVS recipients must renew by July 30, three years from examination window.

To re-certify a CAVS designation, professionals must complete 30 CEs, which include 10 hours of PXE credits, over a three-year period from the most recent certification. If fewer than 30 credits are completed, re-examination will be required.

Find more information on qualifying PXE activities, how to claim PXEs, and how to add PXEs to your transcript by visiting the PXE information webpage.

Recertification Fees

CAVS must complete the recertification registration and submit a recertification fee of $225 to maintain certification. A late fee will be applied to renewal applications submitted 30 days after the renewal deadline. 

  • A $50 late fee will be applied in addition to the renewal application fee if renewal date is 30 days to six months after certification expiration.
  • A $100 late fee will be applied in addition to the renewal application fee if expiration renewal date is six to 12 months after certification expiration.

If your CAVS designation has been expired for more than one year, you must submit a new CAVS exam application and successfully pass the CAVS certification exam to regain the designation. Current exam fees will apply.

Ready to Renew?

Renewal notifications are sent beginning six months before your CAVS renewal date. To ensure a smooth renewal process, please confirm that all credits have been entered and that you have met the requirements listed above. Renewal windows remain open for one year after the renewal date, and applicable late fees may apply.

Click the link corresponding to your designation window below to begin the recertification process.

July 2026 Renewal January 2026 Renewal July 2025 Renewal January 2025 Renewal

For additional questions, contact the Institute at 1.866.488.2379 or send an email to credentialing@theberylinstitute.org

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