HHS Region: Region 4 - Southeast 

Title: Criteria for Certified Prevention Specialist I (CPS I) (available for reciprocity) Testing – Applicant will demonstrate knowledge and skills based on the domains and core functions of prevention in the IC&RC exam

References / Recommendations: A letter of recommendation from a supervisor or volunteer coordinator must be sent with the application along with three colleague evaluations. These should document the character, professionalism and competency of the applicant.

Educational / Training Requirements:

• Formal Education – Applicant must have attained a High School diploma or equivalent (ex. GED).
• Education/Training – At least 120 contact hours of prevention-specific training; minimum of ten (10) hours in each domain.
• Twenty-eight (28) of those training hours must include the Core Prevention Training Curriculum approved by TCB.  (6 hrs. each: Ethics, Audience Management, Cultural Competence ; 10 hrs: Environmental Strategies)
   

Prevention Experience: Work/Volunteer Experience – At least 1 year (2000 hours) of paid or volunteer experience (no more than 50% of total hours) in planning, delivering, and supervising or evaluating prevention services.

Supervised Practical Experience: Verification of 120 hours of observed work experience related to the six (6) prevention domains, minimum (10) hours in each domain.

Code of Ethics: The applicant must read and sign the Tennessee Code of Ethical Conduct for Prevention Specialists included in the application packet. Criteria for Certified Prevention Specialist II (CPS II) (available for reciprocity)

Advanced Requirements:

• Must live or work in TN 51% of time
• Work/Volunteer Experience – At least 2 years (4000 hours) of paid or volunteer experience (no more than 6 months/or 1,000 of total hours) in planning, delivering, and supervising or evaluating prevention services.
• Formal Education – Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree
• Education/Training – At least 220 contact hours of prevention-specific training related to the prevention domains.
• Twenty-eight (28) of those training hours must include the Core Prevention Training Curriculum approved by TCB.  (6 hrs. each: Ethics, Audience Management, Cultural Competence ; 10 hrs: Environmental Strategies)
• 100 hours must be ATOD specific
• Supervised Practical Experience – Verification of 240 hours of observed work experience related to the six (6) prevention domains, minimum (20) hours in each domain.
• Code of Ethics – The applicant must read and sign the Tennessee Code of Ethical Conduct for Prevention Specialists included in the application packet.
• Testing – Applicant will demonstrate knowledge and skills based on the domains and core functions of prevention in the IC&RC exam. 
   

Certification & Licensing Board: Tennessee Certification Board (TCB) https://www.tncertification.org