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    Sexual Offenders Assessment Board 

    Apply to Become an SOAB Member

    Apply to become an SOAB Member and help courts determine whether convicted sex offenders meet the legal criteria for classification as a Sexually Violent Predator.

    Overview

    Under Pennsylvania law, the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (SOAB) is responsible for conducting assessments of certain convicted sex offenders in order to assist the court in determining whether they meet the legal criteria for classification as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP). 

    The board includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and criminal justice professionals with expertise in evaluating and treating sex offenders. Members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms.

    As an SOAB Member, you would be responsible for completing these assessments and using your expert opinion to make a recommendation to the court. Additionally, SOAB Members can conduct risk assessments for convicted sex offenders on behalf of the Pennsylvania Parole Board.

    Eligibility requirements

    • Have an advanced degree in psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, counseling, psychiatry, human sexuality, or criminal justice. If you do not possess a degree in one of these disciplines, you must demonstrate competence in the field of sexual deviancy and have worked under a qualified professional
    • Have relevant work experience in the field beyond the academic degree
    • Have a minimum of 2,000 face-to-face hours with sex offenders, sexual deviance research, education, supervision of staff working in the field, or some combination thereof
    • Demonstrate ongoing competence through the continuation of specialized training in the field of sexual deviance
    • Use only tests and methods approved by the SOAB

    Steps to apply

    1. 1

      Review member standards and eligibility requirements

      Read the member standards and review the eligibility requirements listed above.

    2. 2

      Complete the application

      Download and complete the application (PDF). 

    3. 3

      Attach professional documents

      To complete your application, attach a copy of the following: 

      • your Curriculum Vitae
      • your professional license
      • a redacted assessment of a sexual offender
    4. 4

      Submit your application

      Submit your application via mail or email at the addresses below. 

    5. 5

      After you apply

      After we receive your application, the clinical director will contact you with next steps.

    submit application

    Mail an application

    1101 South Front Street, Suite 5700 Harrisburg, PA 17104

    Contact us

    Email an application

    RA-PMCONTACTSOAB@pa.gov