Rule 105-3-.06. Certification Requirements for Family Violence Intervention Program Owners.

Rule 105-3-.06. Certification Requirements for Family Violence Intervention Program Owners.

1. (1) Initial FVIP Certification.

   1. (a) Program Owner Certification Training Requirements.

      1. 1. FVIP Informational Session. An applicant for a Program Owner certification must attend an Informational Session and submit a signed authorization for the Commission to conduct background checks as may be necessary during the certification period, including an initial background check that is required prior to enrolling in FVIP Basics. The informational session may not be applied to the training requirements set forth in this section.

         1. (i) Background Check Requirement. Applicants for certification who have completed the Informational Session must complete an initial background check and receive approval before enrolling in FVIP Basics. All applicants shall submit to a comprehensive background check, including criminal history, the Georgia Protective Order Registry, and the Department of Motor Vehicles driving history record. The Commission may request additional background checks at any point during the certification period. Failure to comply with or submit to any request for a background check may result in a temporary suspension of certification until the request is satisfied. All background checks will be conducted by the Department. The Commission shall provide the background check findings at the request of the applicant or Program Owner.

      2. 2. Completion of Commission-delivered FVIP Basics training.

         1. (i) Applicants must attend "FVIP Basics," a fourteen (14) hour Commission-delivered training. FVIP Basics must be completed prior to beginning all other training and class participation requirements.
   2. (b) Judicial Circuit Requirement. Program owners seeking certification shall submit one (1) application and must indicate each judicial circuit in which the FVIP will operate. Programs must list all judicial circuits they will service in their certification applications.
   3. (c) Mission Statement Requirement. Each applicant shall submit, as part of their application, their program's mission statement or a statement of intent that addresses the role of the FVIP in their organization.
   4. (d) Background, History & Experience. Each applicant shall submit information on the program owner's background and experience addressing domestic violence.
   5. (e) Disclosure of Businesses and Ownership Ventures. Applicant shall disclose any other businesses or ownership ventures, or any partners, co-owners, investors, or other affiliates with whom the applicant shares, whether legally or financially, a substantial joint business interest or with whom a material business relationship exists.
   6. (f) Locations & Class Schedules. Each applicant shall submit the addresses for all program locations, proposed class schedules, and assigned certified Facilitators.
   7. (g) Class Fees. Each applicant shall submit a written class fee schedule and an indigent fee reduction plan for participants declared indigent by the court. A copy of the fee schedule and the indigent fee reduction plan must be provided to all referral sources in every judicial circuit where the program will operate.
   8. (h) General Liability Insurance. Each applicant shall submit proof of a current general liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000. Liability insurance shall be maintained throughout the certification period. However, applicants who are governmental entities seeking certification to operate as FVIP Providers may request a waiver of this requirement.

   9. (i) Victim Liaison Requirement. Applicants shall submit proof of a current contractual or employment agreement with a victim liaison upon certification or recertification. FVIPs must employ or contract with a victim liaison at all times during their certification. The victim liaison shall be a CJCC-certified domestic violence program, Commission-approved community-based victim services program, or Commission-approved domestic violence victim advocate. FVIPs must notify the Commission of any change in the victim liaison. Guidelines for hiring or contracting a victim liaison may be found in the Department SOP.

      1. 1. An FVIP may initiate contact with victims of domestic violence only through the victim liaison except under circumstances where the FVIP staff has a legal duty to warn the victim of reasonably imminent perceived or apparent danger. All FVIP contact with victims shall be in accordance with the Department SOP.

   10. (j) Acknowledgment of Adherence to Principles of Practice. A signed acknowledgment of the Principles of Practice must be submitted to the Commission upon application for certification and recertification. FVIPs shall ensure the Principles of Practice are prominently displayed in the program's facility, including all locations in which the program operates, and shall ensure that the Principles of Practice are accessible or visible at all times during classes, including virtual class(es). Each Facilitator Trainee and certified Facilitator shall adhere to the following Principles of Practice.

       1. 1. FVIP Providers and Facilitators are advocates for victims of domestic violence who work to hold participants accountable for their acts of domestic violence. The highest priorities of FVIP Providers and Facilitators are the safety, rights, and confidentiality of victims.
       2. 2. FVIP Providers and Facilitators advocate that offenders of domestic violence be held accountable. FVIP Providers and Facilitators should never collude with participants to minimize, tolerate, or justify abusive and unacceptable behavior.
       3. 3. FVIP Providers and Facilitators consult with victim advocates to ensure quality programming.
       4. 4. FVIP Providers and Facilitators consistently act and communicate in ways that do not perpetuate discriminatory behavior, attitudes, or bias. FVIP Providers and Facilitators treat all with dignity.
       5. 5. FVIP Providers and Facilitators are not legal advocates or witnesses on behalf of participants and shall use caution when responding to requests for assessments, impressions, opinions, information, or testimony. FVIP Providers will not state or imply that program completion will result in non-abusive behaviors or victim safety.
       6. 6. Anger management programs, couples counseling, and psychotherapy are not appropriate interventions for domestic violence and may place the victim at heightened risk. Ending violence and abuse and prioritizing victims' safety takes precedence over efforts to save relationships.
       7. 7. Educational group sessions must be the primary approach to domestic violence intervention. However, Providers may find participants would benefit from additional interventions separately, including but not limited to substance abuse treatment, addiction treatment, mental or behavioral health treatment, parenting class, or individual therapy, but only in addition to participation in an FVIP. The FVIP Provider may notify the appropriate court or referral source of any recommendation in such instances.
       8. 8. FVIPs alone do not create accountability. FVIP Providers and Facilitators collaborate with community partners and participate in a larger coordinated community response to domestic violence.

   11. (k) Acknowledgment of Adherence to Code of Ethics. FVIP Providers and applicants for certification shall adhere to the following Code of Ethics and submit a signed copy upon certification and recertification.

       1. 1. I will make victim safety my first priority in working with participants who engage in acts of domestic violence. I will make participant accountability my second priority.
       2. 2. I will collaborate with domestic violence victim advocates to design and inform my FVIP work to ensure quality programming.
       3. 3. I will provide truthful, accurate, and complete statements to the criminal justice system, victim liaisons, the Department, the Commission, and other community partners.
       4. 4. I will report to the referring agency and victim liaison any recent additional acts of domestic violence admitted to by an FVIP participant, when such reporting will not further endanger any victim or witness. Through consultation with the victim liaison, I will report to all appropriate legal authorities any suspected neglect and/or abuse of a child or protected adult.
       5. 5. I will report to the Commission any apparent violations of the Rules for Family Violence Intervention Programs that I observe or become aware of while certified as an FVIP Provider or Facilitator.
       6. 6. I will conduct myself in my personal and professional life in a manner consistent with the principles of nonviolence, and I will abide by a drug-free lifestyle. I will immediately notify the Program Owner and the Commission if I am arrested or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony.
       7. 7. I will avoid personal, professional, or business relationships that conflict with the interests of the FVIP and those it serves. I will not accept gifts, services, or benefits that impair my integrity or the integrity of the agency or might invite special considerations.
       8. 8. I will avoid the appearance of impropriety. I will not engage in any behavior that I would be unwilling to disclose fully to my colleagues, legal authorities, and the public. I will not engage in sexual or romantic activities with participants, victims, or their family members for at least two (2) years after our last professional contact. Even at that time, I will not engage in such behaviors that could reasonably contribute to the suffering of any person(s) or the impairment of the FVIP efforts.
       9. 9. I will fully explain all program rules and policies, fee payment, enrollment, program standards, discharge, and completion requirements to participants. I will consistently apply program rules to all participants.
       10. 10. I will treat all program participants and the victims of their violence fairly. I will not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, class, age, religion, educational attainment, ethnicity, national origin, handicaps, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or economic condition. To the best of my ability, I will work to ensure that all persons have equal access to FVIP resources and services.

   12. (l) Notice Requirement. Program owners shall immediately notify the Commission of any of the occurrences listed below. Documentation shall be provided upon the Commission's request. Failure to provide the Commission with timely notice and/or requested documentation will result in a temporary suspension of the FVIP's certification status. The Commission may temporarily suspend certification pending final resolution or disposition of the pending matter.

       1. 1. At any point during certification or while seeking certification, Program Owners shall provide the Commission documentation and details of any of the following:

          1. (i) Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea for any felony or misdemeanor.
          2. (ii) Adjudication of guilt withheld for a felony or misdemeanor, including First Offender Act and conditional discharge sentencing.

          3. (iii) Current charges of a violation of law, not including minor traffic offenses, are subject to a fine of less than $500.

             1. (I) Notice of Arrest Requirement. Once certified, the Program Owner shall report an arrest to the Commission within three (3) business days of their release from custody.
          4. (iv) Reports to the Department of Family and Children's Services for child abuse or neglect.

          5. (v) Protective orders issued against them or bond conditions resulting from an arrest.

             1. (I) Notice of Temporary Protection Order Respondent Requirement. Once certified, the Program Owner shall report to the Commission any temporary protection order, including dating violence or stalking orders, of which they are a respondent by the next business day after service of the order.
          6. (vi) A finding of domestic violence made in divorce, custody, or visitation proceedings.
          7. (vii) Any sanctions and revocations imposed by any professional licensing boards.
          8. (viii) Any formal complaints or civil action filings, in which they are a named defendant, alleging conduct involving sexual harassment or misconduct, or retaliation, or involving conduct of dishonesty, fraud, or theft, or where allegations of domestic violence or abuse.

   13. (m) Coordinated Community Response Participation Requirement. Program Owners shall participate in a Community Task Force on Family Violence and be a part of the coordinated community response to domestic violence. Evidence of program owners attending two (2) coordinated community response meetings annually shall be submitted to the Commission upon recertification.

       1. 1. To satisfy this requirement, upon Commission approval, applicants may:

          1. (i) Attend a Family Connections or other family or domestic violence community meeting or event;
          2. (ii) Complete a domestic violence civil or criminal court calendar observation; or
          3. (iii) Meet with a victim liaison at a CJCC-Certified family violence agency.

   14. (n) Program Certification Schedule and Fees. Each applicant will be required to submit a $250.00 nonrefundable certification fee with their application. The Commission will prorate certification fees from the application submission date to the nearest January 1.

       1. 1. Fee Schedule for Multiple Judicial Circuits and Virtual-Statewide.

          Certification Application Fee (One judicial circuit location). $250 Additional Judicial Circuit Locations $50 for each additional judicial circuit Online Classes $100

2. (2) Recertification Requirements for Family Violence Intervention Program Providers.

   1. (a) Recertification Required. Once certified, an FVIP shall remain certified for two (2) years, provided the program complies with applicable laws and rules. Recertification every two (2) years is required for FVIPs to continue to hold FVIP classes. Any program that operates, by actively advertising, offering, receiving payment for, or conducting intake sessions or FVIP classes while failing to maintain a current certification or during any period of suspension, expiration, or revocation once notice has been given by the Commission pursuant to these rules, shall be subject to sanctions, injunctions, actions and/or fines available to the Department under these rules and applicable laws of this state.
   2. (b) Required Documentation for Program Recertification. The Commission requires that certain documents and information be updated and made available upon request to verify continuing compliance with these rules at any time during the certification period. Such documents and information may include: program locations, class schedules, class fees, indigent fee reduction plans, proof of general liability insurance, valid victim liaison contract or employment agreement, evidence of participation in two (2) meetings annually of the local Community Task Force on Family Violence (a total of four (4) meetings at recertification), a Commission-approved program curriculum, and a signed acknowledgements of adherence to the Principles of Practice agreement and the Code of Ethics.

   3. (c) Recertification Schedules and Fees.

      1. 1. Program owners shall complete and submit the required application and documents to the Commission by January 1 biannually (every two (2) years). A nonrefundable $250.00 recertification fee must be submitted with the application.
      2. 2. Late fee. A $100 late fee will be assessed for applications submitted within thirty (30) calendar days after the January 1 recertification due date. A $100 late fee will be assessed to certified Providers who submit the recertification application within thirty (30) calendar days after January 1st.
      3. 3. Reinstatement fee. After thirty (30) calendar days of the recertification due date, the FVIP Provider's certification will be suspended. If recertification requirements are met in more than thirty (30) calendar days but within sixty (60) days from January 1, the Provider's certification will be reinstated upon payment of all accrued fees plus a $200 reinstatement fee.
      4. 4. Certification expiration. After sixty (60) calendar days, the Provider's certification will expire. The FVIP must cease offering classes and wait until the next certification period, January 1. The Commission will coordinate the transfer of participants, remove the Provider from the list of available programs, and send a notice to all referral sources. To be reinstated, all previously assessed fees, plus a $200 expired-status processing fee, must be paid.

      5. 5. Initial certification required. After certification has expired for more than two (2) years, previously certified Providers may not seek recertification. They must apply for certification by meeting the requirements for certifying as a new Provider.

         SCHEDULE OF RECERTIFICATION FEES FOR FVIP PROVIDERS Due Date Amount January 1st (every two (2) years) $250 non-refundable application fee Total: $250 Within thirty (30) calendar days after January 1 $250 non-refundable application fee + $100 late fee Total: $350 After thirty (30) calendar days and within sixty (60) calendar days of January 1. $250 non-refundable application fee + $100 late fee + $200 reinstatement fee Total: $550 If recertification requirements are met, reinstating from expired status after sixty (60) days of January 1 of the initial recertification period year. $100 non-refundable application fee + $100 late fee +$200 reinstatement fee + $200 expired status processing fee Total: $600

3. (3) Notice of Approval or Denial of FVIP Certification and Recertification.

   1. (a) Period of Review. Upon receipt of all required application materials and fees, the Commission will undertake a review to determine whether the Provider has met the requirements for certification or recertification. The Commission will notify the applicant within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the application materials whether the application is approved, denied, incomplete, or requires additional time to process.
   2. (b) Notice of Approval. If the Commission determines all program certification or recertification requirements have been satisfied as set forth by law and in these rules, the Commission shall certify or recertify the program. The Commission will notify the program of its initial certification via electronic mail at the email address provided in the application unless notice via certified mail is requested in writing when the application is submitted. The Commission will notify the program of its recertification via the Commission-designated reporting system.

   3. (c) Notice of Denial. If the Commission determines all program certification or recertification requirements have not been satisfied, the Commission will advise the applicant in writing of the reasons for denying the application. Applicants will be notified via the email address provided in the application. An applicant will have ten (10) business days from the date of the Commission's notification of denial to submit additional documentation, correct any deficiencies, or otherwise remedy the application as may be required by the Commission to reconsider. If the applicant again fails to demonstrate compliance with all certification or recertification requirements, the application shall be denied. The Commission will notify the applicant of their recertification status via the designated notification system unless certification or recertification notice via certified mail is requested in writing when the application is submitted.

      1. 1. Denials may be appealed by following the procedures required by law and these rules.
   4. (d) It is the responsibility of applicants and program owners to submit and maintain their current mailing address and email address with the Commission, as any and all correspondence will be sent using the address information on file.
4. (4) Certification Nontransferable. A program owner's certification is nontransferable. If program ownership changes and the new program owner is not certified, the new owner must submit an authorization for the Commission to conduct a background check. Following a satisfactory background check, the Commission may issue a provisional certification to allow the program to continue operating pending the new program owner completing the certification requirements and becoming certified within six (6) months. If the requirements for certification are not met or the new program owner fails to submit a complete application for initial certification, the program must discontinue operations and transfer any existing participants to other programs. The Commission may exercise its discretion in granting written requests for an extension of a provisional certification.
5. (5) Prohibition on Multiple Program Ownership. Any person or entity may not simultaneously own, in whole or in part, more than one certified FVIP. Failure to comply with this will result in penalties that may include an administrative fine, revocation of certification, and program discontinuation.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-11, 19-13-13(a) & (b), 19-13-14(a), (d) & (e), 19-13-17.

History. Original Rule entitled "Certification Requirements for Family Violence Intervention Program Owners" adopted. F. Dec. 3, 2018; eff. Dec. 23, 2018.

Amended: F. Feb. 23, 2026; eff. Mar. 15, 2026.