You are recognized as a Certified Trainer with CNVC when you complete the certification program as designed in the certification preparation packet (CPP) in dialogue with your assessor; you can download the CPP (found here). Reading the CPP document will allow you to gauge your own willingness and ability to commit to becoming a CNVC Certified Trainer. Certified Trainers join a global community of partners supporting a common vision and mission with CNVC.

The certification process is comparable to a 3-to-5 year journey. It entails a more structured track towards pre-assessment and a more personalized path toward certification. Some people complete the process in less time, while others may take more time. It is a highly individualized process, as there are many variables involved. Fundamentally it is a path that involves acquisition of leadership skills and an embodiment of a consciousness from separation to interdependence, from powerlessness to self responsibility.

The first step to starting the certification path is to attend at least 20 days of training with Certified Trainers; please note that some assessors ask for more than 20 days, so we encourage you to contact more than one assessor to check with them the numbers of training they ask for to register you as a candidate.

We invite you to visit the events and trainings page. You can also reach out to individual trainers in your region, or who you are drawn to learn from.

Yes, the certification program operates through our team of CNVC Assessors. Please note that your assessor does not need to be in the same geographical area as yourself. Many of our assessors work with candidates in different regions and countries. While you are welcome to facilitate the spreading of NVC as an an independent trainer, the affiliation with CNVC goes through a process facilitated by CNVC recognized assessors who are trained to serve in that role.

The previous training before being registered as a candidate would be counted as long as they meet the following criteria:

1. The trainings were provided by CNVC Certified Trainers.
2. The trainings were interactive and participatory.
3. The trainings offered opportunities for giving and receiving feedback.
4. You provide specific records from the trainings including name of trainer, date, exact hour(s) of training, topic, site.
5. For each training experience, a written summary of the main points learned: 1- 2 paragraphs.

You can contact assessors through the contact form in their pages on the website. Please click here to see all our current assessors.

You can change your Assessor after registering as a certification candidate with agreement from both your current Assessor and new Assessor. Learning to operate from a paradigm of partnership is the heart of this journey. Dialogue even when disconnections are present are attempts to find one another’s humanity in the midst of conflict.

The certification journey entails a partnership with your assessor as well as engaging in offering and receiving NVC trainings. The financial investment for this journey differs depending on a variety of circumstances. Variables are linked to where you are in the world, whom you are training with, your creativity and in accessing resources. Given the disparities in financial stability, a dialogue with the assessors team can support attending to the needs linked to the specific circumstances.

The Center for Nonviolent Communication has a unique perspective in offering certification — certification is a validation and celebration of a new colleague joining the CNVC community. It is not a permanent credential like a diploma, but needs to be renewed each year to stay in effect. In essence, it is an annual renewal of your commitment to the organization.

Typically, the two annual requirements to remain active as a Certified Trainer are:

1. Fill out our Annual Trainer Survey to report on your activities in the past year; and
2. Make an Annual Trainer Contribution to financially support the organization.

In addition, each time CNVC updates the Trainer Agreement, we will also ask you to sign the new version so in some years, this will be a third requirement.