USDA Accreditation Renewal: How to Renew Your NVAP Accreditation Online

Updated August 2026 · Independent educational guide — not affiliated with the USDA or APHIS

A lapsed accreditation means no CVIs — which for many practices means turning away work until it's fixed. The good news: renewal is straightforward once you know the cycle, and the fastest route runs through the same VSPS system you already use.

The facts that matter

QuestionAnswer
How often do I renew?Every 3 years (NVAP renewal cycle)
What training do I need?APHIS-approved supplemental training units each cycle — 3 units for Category I, 6 for Category II (confirm your category's current requirement with NVAP)
When can I apply?Starting 6 months before your renewal date — and NVAP strongly recommends not waiting until the last minute
How do I submit?Online through VSPS (recommended), or by emailing a password-protected VS Form 1-36A to your state's NVAP Coordinator
Multiple states?One renewal covers you even if you're authorized in several states

Step-by-step: renewing through VSPS

  1. Complete your supplemental training units. Free APHIS-approved modules are on the NVAP training page. You can complete them any time during your 3-year cycle.
  2. Log in to VSPS at the official portal using your login.gov account. First time in VSPS? See our VSPS login walkthrough.
  3. Open the accreditation section and submit your renewal application — instructional videos and guides are linked from the official NVAP renewal page.
  4. Confirm your submission went through. Keep your confirmation, and diary your next renewal date the same day.
Calendar trick that prevents lapses: set two reminders right now — one at 6 months out ("eligible to renew") and one at 3 months out ("actually do it"). It's the cheapest deadline you'll ever protect.

Prefer paper? The VS Form 1-36A route

If you can't or don't want to renew online, complete the fillable VS Form 1-36A and email it as a password-protected PDF to your state's NVAP Coordinator. It works — it's just slower than the VSPS route, and you don't get the instant submission confirmation.

The rest of VSPS, decoded in one sitting

The VSPS Quick-Start Guide & CVI Cheat Sheet covers login setup and identity verification, the eCVI workflow and the classic rejection reasons, Coggins submissions, and this renewal timeline — plain English, every official link and phone number in one directory. $19, instant download.

Get the Quick-Start Guide →