New York Laws
Article 1 - Department of Veterans' Services
14 - Local Veterans' Service Agencies.

(b) Any county or city director hired after the effective date of this
chapter shall take all steps necessary to be accredited as a veterans
service organization (VSO) representative within eighteen months of such
appointment. Accreditation shall mean the authority granted by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and
their family members in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution
of claims for benefits pursuant to section 5902 of Title 38 U.S.C. and
section 14.628 of Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations. Once an
application for accreditation is approved by the General Counsel of the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the applicant is
notified of this action, the director of the county or city veterans
service agency shall file a copy of the accreditation certificate from
the appropriate veterans service organization with the commissioner of
the department. Such accreditation shall be maintained during the
duration of his or her status as a director of such county or city
veterans service agency. The commissioner of the department may
determine that a satisfactory completion of a course of instruction on
veterans' benefits approved by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs and conducted by the department may fulfill the requirements of
this subdivision.
(c) During the time a director is working toward accreditation
pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, such individual
may provide services to veterans and their family members as defined in
section fifteen of this article other than the preparation,
presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits under federal
statutes and regulations.