Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Service Provider Qualification Requirements establish minimum training or credential standards for staff delivering key DVR statewide services under DVR's Statewide Service Agreement.

The goal is to promote consistent, high-quality, person-centered employment services for DVR consumers across Wisconsin while supporting staff development and organizational stability.

The requirements take effect July 1, 2027, for all Service Providers delivering DVR statewide services.

Staff hired after this date will have nine months from their hire date to meet the qualification requirements.

Yes. All Service Provider staff delivering covered statewide services as of July 1, 2027, must meet the qualification requirements. Staff hired before that date must meet requirements by July 1, 2027.

The new requirements apply to the following services under the DVR Statewide Service Agreement:

• Customized Employment (CE)
• Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW)
• Job and Task Analysis and Systematic Instruction (JTA and SI)
• Job Preparation, Development, Hire, and Retention (JP, JD, and Ret)
• Student Work Based Learning (SWBL)
• Supported Employment (SE)

Note: Qualification requirements for Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Vocational Evaluation and Work Incentive Benefits Services are not changing at this time.

Service Provider staff must meet the requirement through one of the following approved pathways:

1. ACRE-Approved Training

   Completion of training from an ACRE-approved provider covering person-centered planning, job development, employment supports, and other core competencies.

2. CESP Certification

   Active Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) credential through the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), a nationally recognized certification earned through a competency-based exam.

3. Alternative Training Plan

   Internal or external training aligned with DVR core competency and hour requirements. These plans require pre-approval and documentation of curriculum and outcomes.

Yes. Job Developers and Job Coaches/Systematic Instructors have different qualification requirements.

• Job Developers: Minimum of 40 hours of training.
• Job Coaches/Systematic Instructors: Minimum of 20 hours of training focused on workplace supports and retention.

See the full Service Provider Qualification Requirements for Statewide Services document for detailed role-specific requirements.

Staff hired after July 1, 2027, have up to nine months from their hire date to meet the qualification requirements.

Providers should ensure that new hires are registered for training or certification through an approved pathway in a timely manner and maintain documentation of their progress.

No. There is no recency requirement.

• ACRE-approved training counts regardless of completion date.
• CESP certification counts as long as the credential is active.
• All other training (internal or external), regardless of when completed, must be submitted through the Alternative Training Plan process and approved prior to counting toward qualification requirements.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• Certificates of completion.
• Official transcripts.
• Other verifiable records issued by the training provider.

Documentation must clearly identify:

• The participant.
• The training completed.
• The date of completion.
• The training provider.

Providers are not currently required to upload documentation to the portal. However, documentation must be retained and made available to DVR upon request.

DVR is developing a process within the Service Provider portal to track qualification status.

Providers will be asked to indicate:

• The qualification pathways used (e.g., ACRE, CESP, Alternative Training Plan).
• The date the requirement was met.

Additional guidance on portal reporting will be shared prior to the July 1, 2027, compliance date.

In the meantime, providers should maintain internal records of staff training completion and qualification status.

If you anticipate that any staff may not meet the requirements by July 1, 2027, (or within the 9-month new hire window), please contact DVR to discuss the circumstances of the individual situation.

DVR expects all staff delivering covered services to meet the requirements by July 1, 2027, (or within 9 months of hire, for new staff). If challenges arise and staff are not yet qualified by the deadline, DVR will work with providers to understand the situation and support next steps. Until requirements are met, however, staff will not be able to deliver covered services.

• No. DVR cannot reimburse training costs. However, DVR has connected with several ACRE-approved training vendors to gather information on costs, group rate options, and custom cohort options.
• Providers are encouraged to consider pooling staff across organizations, consortium-based training options and online or self-paced formats.

DVR will continue to share information about affordable training opportunities.

To submit an Alternate Training Plan for DVR review:

• Complete the Competency Mapping Template (CIE or CE version).
• Include required supporting documentation (e.g., syllabus, objectives).
• Submit material by email to DVRServiceProviders@dwd.wisconsin.gov

See the Alternative Training Plan Approval Submission and Review Process document for full details.

Alternative Training Plan submissions are reviewed by DVR's Program Development team to ensure alignment with core competencies and qualification standards. See Alternative Training Plan Approval Submission and Review Process for more details.

No. Approved training plans remain valid unless revoked or unless significant changes occur to national best practices, competencies or ACRE standards.

Reapproval is required only if significant changes are made to the training content or format.

Not at this time.

DVR recognizes the importance of ongoing professional development and encourages Service Providers to support staff in maintaining current knowledge of best practices in employment services.

DVR may explore continuing education requirements in the future.

Service Providers are encouraged to support staff through professional development activities such as:

• Webinars
• Conferences
• Workshops
• Peer learning opportunities.
• Additional training related to DVR service areas.

See the Professional Development Recommendations document for additional tips and best practices.

Yes. Completion of an approved CE training meets qualification requirements for other covered service categories. However, CE services specifically require CE-aligned training.

All Service Provider Qualification Requirement documents are posted on the DVR website, including:

• Qualification Requirements for Statewide Services
• Alternative Training Plan Requirements & Guidelines
• Alternative Training Plan Approval Submission and Review Process
• Competency Mapping Templates (CE DVR-20132-E and CIE DVR-20133-E)
• Qualification Requirements one-page overview
• Qualification Pathways visual summary
• Professional development recommendations
• ACRE-approved vendors resource list