Application fee
$375
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
2 years or 4,000 hours
Training
120 hours
Exam
IC&RC PS exam
Renewal
Every 2 years, 40 hours

The certification for professionals who plan, deliver and evaluate programs that prevent or reduce problems caused by alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. As a Certified Prevention Specialist, you deliver evidence-based prevention in schools, workplaces, health care and behavioral health settings, community organizations and prevention coalitions. It is an international, reciprocal IC&RC credential.

Is this certification right for me?

It's a fit if you have a bachelor's degree, you currently work as a prevention specialist, and your job is building the capacity of individuals, families and communities to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

Consider a different certification if you have lived experience with mental health and provide peer support (see Certified Peer Specialist, a different credential that shares the CPS abbreviation), or you provide substance use disorder counseling (see Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

Requirements

All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. Do not apply until every requirement is met.

  • Bachelor's degree
    From an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The school must send an official transcript directly to PCB. Degrees from outside the United States need a degree equivalency evaluation, which you arrange and pay for.

  • Two years full-time or 4,000 hours part-time of prevention work experience
    In the Certified Prevention Specialist domains, within the last seven years, and you must be working as a prevention specialist when you apply. Volunteer work does not count. Document hours from previous employers with a letter on their letterhead, not a resume.

  • Current prevention specialist job description
    From your employer, signed and dated by you and your immediate supervisor. It must show prevention work as a primary function of the job. An official position description on agency letterhead is accepted instead.

  • 120 hours of on-the-job supervision
    Of your qualifying work, with at least 10 hours in each of the six prevention domains. Your supervisor (or each supervisor, if more than one) completes and signs the supervision page of the application.

  • 120 hours of prevention education and training
    In the prevention domains, including 24 hours specific to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and 6 hours in prevention ethics. Document college courses with an official transcript and trainings with certificates showing your name, the title, dates, hours and training organization.

  • Live or work in Pennsylvania
    At the time you apply.

  • Agree to the PCB Prevention Code of Ethical Conduct
    Confirm you have read the Prevention Code of Ethical Conduct and sign the Acknowledgements and Release page. If you have a felony or a disciplinary action from another certification or licensing body, include documentation with your application.

  • Pass the IC&RC Prevention Specialist (PS) examination
    Taken after your application is approved. See the exam section below.

Your journey

  1. Build your prevention experience and training

    Complete 120 hours of prevention training, two years of prevention work and 120 hours of supervision across the six prevention domains.

  2. Gather your documents

    Ask your school to send an official transcript about three weeks before you apply. Collect your training certificates, signed job description and the supervision page completed by your supervisor.

  3. Apply online or by PDF

    Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax. We email you if anything is missing.

    Review: up to 10 business days

  4. Take the IC&RC PS exam

    Once approved, the testing company emails you to register. You choose the day, time and site.

  5. You're certified

    You are certified once you pass. Your certificate is mailed within 10 business days, and your certification lasts two years from the date you pass the exam.

Fees

Item Fee
Application (includes first exam attempt) $375
Exam retake $175
Renewal $200
Renewal, each additional credential $50
Paper certificate (optional) $20

The certification fee includes the examination and must be sent with your application. Half the fee is refunded if your application is denied or cancelled before the exam. There is no refund after the exam.

What counts as prevention work experience

Qualifying work shows competency in alcohol, tobacco and drug use prevention, and helps individuals, families and communities build what they need to achieve behavioral health and wellness. Prevention specialists deliver evidence-based prevention programming in schools, workplaces, health care centers, behavioral health programs, community-based organizations and prevention coalitions. No other drug and alcohol work counts, and hours can come from more than one employer.

Supervision is a process that is administrative, evaluative and supportive, and ensures the quality of prevention services. It can be one-on-one, observation of your skills, or group supervision. PCB has no rules about who provides it: that is up to your agency.

The exam

The IC&RC Prevention Specialist (PS) exam is computer based, with 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions), and you have three hours. You take it at an approved testing site or by remote proctoring, and choose your own day, time and site. It covers six domains: planning and evaluation; prevention education and service delivery; communication; community organization; public policy and environmental change; and professional growth and responsibility.

Scores are reported on a scale of 200 to 800, and 500 is a pass. If you don't pass, you can retest after 90 days, up to three retakes. After a fourth failed attempt you must submit a study plan to PCB and wait one year. Study guides and practice exams are available from IC&RC. Examination information · Retest form

Need an accommodation for a disability or religious obligation? Request it in writing, with official documentation, at least 60 days before your exam. If you need a reader or scribe, you must test at an approved testing site.

Keeping your certification current

The Certified Prevention Specialist credential renews every two years. You need 40 hours of education relevant to prevention, including 3 hours in ethics, plus the renewal fee. Review the recertification requirements well before your expiration date. Recertification requirements and fees

Common questions about the Certified Prevention Specialist

Is the Certified Prevention Specialist the same as the Certified Peer Specialist?

No. They are two different credentials that share the CPS abbreviation. The Certified Prevention Specialist is for professionals who run substance use prevention programs. The Certified Peer Specialist is for people with lived mental health experience who provide peer support.

Who can supervise my prevention work?

PCB has no requirements for who provides supervision. That is up to your agency. If more than one supervisor provided your hours, give each of them a copy of the supervision page to complete.

Is the Certified Prevention Specialist recognized outside Pennsylvania?

Yes. It is an international, reciprocal IC&RC credential recognized in many other states and countries. About reciprocity

Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?

YES

Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?

YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.

Does employment have to be acquired within 7 years from the date of my application?

YES

Is volunteer work experience acceptable?

NO, employment must be paid and supervised.