Eligibility to Apply

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. Age minimum
   • Be 25 years of age or older at the time of application.
2. Standards attestation
   • Agree to comply with VEVC Standards, including ethics, boundaries, confidentiality, and escalation obligations.
3. Required learning
   • Complete the required online module(s) and any associated knowledge checks.
4. Skills evaluation
   • Participate in a live evaluation and complete virtual or onsite verification (as applicable), including observed roleplays and scenario-based review.
5. Screening and integrity
   • Complete all required screening steps, which may include identity verification, reference checks, and any other clearly defined program-required screening components.

Experience Requirement

Applicants must meet one of the following pathways:

Pathway A: Experience

• 5+ years (FTE) in a human-centered role, defined as sustained responsibility for interpersonal support, guidance, care, or service delivery where boundaries, discretion, and emotional regulation are required.

Pathway B: Experience + Additional Qualification

• 3+ years (FTE) in a human-centered role and at least one of the following documented qualifications:
  1. Mentorship / apprenticeship (minimum 6 months) with written mentor attestation
  2. Relevant formal training (minimum 40 hours) with completion documentation
  3. Verified community leadership (minimum 12 months) with reference verification
  4. De-escalation and boundary management experience demonstrated through training records and scenario-based evaluation

All experience and qualifications must be verifiable through screening and references.

Steps

1. Apply for the next available cohort
2. Complete online standards module and knowledge check
3. Attend onsite verification (live observation + scenario evaluation)
4. Receive written outcome and next steps
5. If verified, receive verification ID and review date

Verification objectives:

You will learn how to practice in a rapidly emerging space with credibility. IEVC verification teaches standards-based companionship: clear non-clinical scope, strong boundaries, privacy, consent-based pacing, dependency risk mitigation, professionalism, and safety-aligned escalation. The result is clearer sessions, stronger trust, and fewer risk situations.

Where the VEVC credential can help
Virtual companionship is an emerging field, and the VEVC verification provides a standards-based signal of readiness. The same competencies also transfer to other human-centered roles where boundaries, trust, privacy, and emotional steadiness matter, including:

• Coaching and mentoring (non-clinical)
• Caregiving and companionship roles (non-medical)
• Community moderation and trust-and-safety work
• Client-facing support roles requiring de-escalation
• Peer support and recovery community leadership (non-clinical)

VEVC verification is non-clinical and does not authorize therapy, diagnosis, or crisis intervention.

Evaluation Criteria

• Non-clinical scope discipline and role clarity
• Boundary setting and boundary recovery under pressure
• Consent-based pacing and session containment
• Privacy discipline and professionalism in virtual setting
• Appropriate escalation decisions

Outcomes

• Verified: Authorized to use the VEVC credential
• Provisional: Verified with conditions (additional review, limits, or follow-up)
• Not Yet Verified: Not approved; eligible to reapply after a defined period

Renewal

• Credential renewal occurs annually (or as published).
• Renewal may require a refresher module and standards acknowledgment.
• Serious complaints or safety incidents may trigger re-verification.

How the credential appears:

• Approved Display Name with designation: [Your Name], VEVC
• Operating Title (when sponsored): Verified Virtual Companion (Non-Clinical)

LinkedIn (Licenses & Certifications)

• Name: IEVC Verification in Ethical Virtual Companionship (VEVC)
• Issuing Organization: Issuing Organization: IEVC (Verification Program)
• Issue Date: (Month Year)
• Expiration: (optional, if applicable)
• Credential ID: (optional)
• Credential URL: (optional)

Fees
Verification fees are provided upon cohort invitation. Fees may vary by cohort based on training logistics and evaluation requirements.Need-based waivers may be available in limited cases.

Visit: VEVC Standards, VEVC Enforcement Policy

Credential Verification

Until a public lookup portal is available, VEVC verification is available by email. Send the companion’s name and VEVC verification ID to vevcinstitute@gmail.com. Response within 2 business days.