Certification is not required to work as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, and no attorney is required to ask for it. So why would you take an exam? For many people the answer is that certification is a way to show, rather than claim, that they can draft accurate petitions.
What the exams are
NAVBA offers certification as a Bankruptcy Petition SpecialistTM, in three forms:
- Chapter 7 Certification is the foundation exam. It measures your skill in drafting Chapter 7 petitions and your overall understanding of the petition process.
- Chapter 13 Certification is the advanced exam. It demonstrates expertise in Chapter 13 principles and more advanced bankruptcy concepts, and a solid understanding of Chapter 13 petitions is necessary.
- Chapter 7 & 13 Certification combines both, and is offered together at a better value.
The exams are open-book and taken online from home. They are based on the training offered by 713 Training. Current pricing and registration details are on the certification page.
What it shows to attorneys
Certification can increase the opportunities available to you by demonstrating a high skill level and commitment to quality to hiring law firms and attorneys. It also signals that you have been tested on the petition as a whole, not only on the parts you happen to see most.
It helps to be realistic, though. Certification is optional, and whether to require it is entirely the attorney's decision. Many attorneys also weigh experience, references, turnaround and communication, and NAVBA encourages them to look at all of those rather than certification alone. Treat certification as one strong part of a professional profile, not a substitute for the rest.
Who benefits most
- New VBAs with little track record, for whom a credential is a way to show competence before the first client reference exists.
- Paralegals and legal assistants moving into bankruptcy, who want a recognized way to demonstrate the skill.
- Experienced assistants who want to add Chapter 13 to their services.
How to prepare
- Start with Chapter 7. It is the foundation, and the Chapter 13 material builds on it.
- Use the source material. The exams are based on 713 Training's courses, so working through that training is the most direct preparation. Members save on 713training.com courses, from 5% on the quarterly plan up to 15% on the yearly plan.
- Practice on realistic files. Draft sample petitions from start to finish, so you see how the pieces connect.
- Organize your reference materials. An open-book exam rewards the person who can find the answer quickly, so build a system you trust before the test.
- Review common mistakes. Our guide to common petition errors is a good place to start.
The bigger picture
Certification works best alongside a membership that helps you find the work. Every NAVBA membership includes a free listing in the directory where attorneys search for VBAs to hire. See what members receive, or join NAVBA.
This article is general information about bankruptcy practice, not legal advice. Local rules, trustee preferences and state law vary, so confirm current requirements for your jurisdiction.
