The information is needed to establish that religious organizations that wish to provide ecclesiastical endorsements of individuals who seek employment as a VA chaplain or who seek to be engaged by VA under contract or appointed as on-facility fee basis VA chaplains under 38 U.S.C. 7405 meet eligibility requirements. The authority for this collection is 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 7304, and 7405.
The information will be submitted by religious organizations wishing to endorse applicants for VA Chaplaincy. The information is used to establish that requesting organizations meet eligibility requirements. It is also used to ensure that VA accepts ecclesiastical endorsements of members of a religious organization signed only by the official designated by the organization. It is also used to inform job applicants who do not know who their organization has designated as their ecclesiastical endorsing official.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.