Vermont Certified Prevention Specialist
Prevention Works!VT is excited to announce the launch of the Certified Prevention Specialist program! This certification is open to all those working in the substance use prevention field. Credentialing is backed by the International Certification &Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) for reciprocity in other states and internationally. This program recognizes and ensures that substance abuse prevention practitioners meet the competency standards established by the IC&RC. Certification shows an individual’s commitment to best practices in the field.
The Vermont Certification Board is made up of volunteers who already have their CPS or are part of their home state certification boards. These members will review applications and make recommendations for certification. The board is committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the governance and operation of this credential.
Interested? Please Contact Us.
CPS Application Materials
All of the Certified Prevention Specialist application materials can be found here. Applications are only accepted online at this time. We’ve included a PDF application form to help you prepare everything you’ll need to include on the online application, but this PDF does not need to be submitted. Links to your portfolio checklist, education verfication form, supervision form, narrative, and Code of Ethics are all here and will need to be uploaded with your application.
Training Support
Here are links to great resources that can help you find the training hours you need, practice exams, and study guides.
New England PTTC provides training and techinical assistance to prevention professionals across New England.
Most trainings are free and virtual.
CADCA offers training opportunities to prevention professionals. Some are free to non-members and some have a cost. You may also request training certificates for attendance at CADCA conferences.
Prevention Solutions offers training opportunities for a small fee.
New England Public Health Training Center is a resource for regional training opportunities.
Learn more about the IC&RC and reciprocity process here.
FAQs
A complete application requires 2000 hours of work experience (equivalent to one year of full time work), 175 hours of continuing education with a minimum of 10 hours each across each of the domains, and 120 hours of supervision with a minimum of 10 hours each across each of the domains. Applicants must also receive a passing grade on the exam.
Certification is valid for two years. After those two years, certification may be renewed for reduced fees and requires 40 hours of continuing education.
Certification fees are $300, which includes the cost of the exam and application review. Should an applicant need to retake the exam, there is a $150 fee for the exam. Incomplete applications will be returned and charged a $50 fee for review.
Checks may be made out to:
The Collaborative and mailed to 91 VT Route 11 Londonderry, VT 05148.
Please include CPS certification and the applicant’s name in the memo line.
Applicants are required to hold either a high school diploma or a GED. The IC&RC does allow college degrees to replace the high school or GED requirement if a sealed original transcript is provided as part of the application process.
There are no requirements for who can provide the supervision hours to a candidate. Supervision may be done by people such as a direct supervisor, a mentor, the chair of your coalition, or board members. You are welcome to include supervision from multiple people, and may choose different supervisors for different domains. If providing documentation from multiple supervisors, each must complete the supervisor form.
Great question! If your employer is submitting payment for your application, please first submit your application through the online form. Then email [email protected] with your name, your employer, and the method your employer will use for payment. That payment should include your name in the memo line on any checks or your name in the comment section on Venmo so we can match the payment to your application. Applications will not be reviewed until the fees are paid.
- The application must be submitted to the Vermont Prevention Certification Board via online application using this link. which can also be found on the Prevention Works!VT website on the CPS tab. To confirm receipt of your application, you may email the staff at [email protected].
- Once received, staff will review your application. Please allow 10 business days for the initial review and processing of your application.
- Once your application is reviewed you will be emailed if there is any documentation missing application or there are questions regarding your application. Please make sure the email address you provide in the application is one you check regularly.
- The CPS Board will review and approve your application. This review process can take up to 30 days. Your application is considered approved when you receive an email to register for the examination.
- In order to register for the exam please follow all instructions provided to you in the email.
- If you have not heard from the Board regarding your application or received an email to register for the examination after 30 days, please contact the staff via email, [email protected].
- You will be certified after successful completion of the examination unless you are part of the first cohort.
- A certificate will be mailed to you automatically.
Yes, all candidates are required to have at least 6 hours of education specifically in prevention ethics. No other ethics trainings are accepted. This training must be documented and may not be included on the undocumented training form.
There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours you can earn and apply from online and/or virtual trainings.
Yes! You can email your training records to [email protected] and the board will review. This process can take a couple of months, so please be patient.
The exam is 150 questions spread across the domains. Exams are given at IC&RC testing centers and will be scheduled after successful completion of the application. You’ll have 3 hours to finish the exam, which is computer based.
Yes, you can apply for accommodations. You need documentation of need and will have to submit it within 60 days of your exam date.
We have links to study materials right here on this page! The IC&RC candidate guide has a practice exam, and Rhode Island created a study guide with sample questions and the reasoning behind the correct answers. All test questions come from the reading material listed on the IC&RC candidate guide.
IC&RC offers practice exams for $50 for applicants that want a full practice exam experience.
There are currently scholarships available for both training and exam fees.
Any additional questions can be sent to [email protected] and PW staff will respond within 3 business days.