The National Advocate Credentialing Program® (NACP), developed through the cooperative effort of multiple national and state victim assistance organizations, was launched in 2003 as the first voluntary credentialing program available to crime victim advocates nationwide. NACP is designed to promote a minimum of forty hours of pre-service training for advocates, recognizes the advocate’s years of experience, whether volunteer or paid, and requires continuing education for all advocates credentialed under the program.