HHS Region: Region 1 - New England 

Prevention Specialist Title: Certified Prevention Specialist

Educational / Training Requirements:

• High school diploma/GED. 
• 175 hours of education relevant to domains, of which 24 are ATOD specific, minimum of 25 in each domain, six hours in ethics. ∙ Education is defined as formal, structured instruction in the form of workshops, seminars, institutes, in-services, college/university credit courses and RICB approved distance education. 
• Education must be specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks within the domains.
• Three college credits are equivalent to 45 hours. 
• Education, as defined above, applicant provides to others may also be used providing it is verified in writing by sponsoring school or agency. 

Prevention Experience:

• One year (2000 hours) of paid or volunteer prevention work experience. Employment must have been gained within the last five years. 
• Volunteer and part-time experience is acceptable if it is provided under direct supervision. Actual time spent in a supervised substance abuse internship, or practicum may be applied toward the employment requirement. 

Supervised Prevention Experience:

• 120 hours with a minimum of 10 in each domain. 

Recertification: 40 hours of relevant education including three hours in ethics every two years.

Additional Requirements/Information:

• Applicant must be currently employed in a prevention position at the time application is submitted. 
• Current job description dated and signed by supervisor and applicant.
• Signed, dated and notarized Acknowledgements page. 
• Applicant must either live or work in RI at time of application.

Pre-IC&RC Certification Level Title: Associate Prevention Specialist (APS)

Pre- IC&RC Certification Level Requirements:

Employment

•  200 hours of paid or volunteer prevention work experience. Employment must have been gained within the last five years.
•  Volunteer and part-time experience is acceptable if it is provided under direct supervision. Actual time spent in a supervised substance abuse internship, or practicum may be applied toward the employment requirement. 
• Applicant must be currently employed in a prevention position at the time application is submitted. 
• Current job description dated and signed by supervisor and applicant. 

Education 

• High school diploma/GED. ∙ 48 hours of education relevant to domains, of which 12 are ATOD specific, minimum of six hours in each domain, and six hours in ethics. 
• Education is defined as formal, structured instruction in the form of workshops, seminars, institutes, in-services, college/university credit courses and RICB approved distance education. ∙ Education must be specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks within the domains.
• Three college credits are equivalent to 45 hours.
• Education, as defined above, applicant provides to others may also be used providing it is verified in writing by sponsoring school or agency. 

Other 

• Signed, dated and notarized Acknowledgements page.

Advanced Title: Certified Advanced Prevention Specialist

Advanced Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience

• Prerequisite of CPS, for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Three (3) years of full-time employment or 6000 hours of part-time employment.

Supervision

• 150 hours with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.

Education & Training

• 72 total hours of education relevant to the field of prevention.
• Six (6) of the hours must be in advanced professional ethics and responsibilities that are specific to prevention.
• Twelve (12) of the hours must be in contract and program management. This does not need to be specific to prevention and a business class may be used.
• Twelve (12) of the hours must be in supervision and personnel issues.
• Six (6) of the hours must be in data interpretation and application.
• Six (6) of the hours must be in grant writing.
• Six (6) in financial management and budgets. This does not need to be specific to prevention and a business class may be used.
• 24 hours in prevention theory in practice

Examination

• Applicant must pass the IC&RC Examination for Prevention Specialists. Applicants with a current CPS in good standing who already passed the CPS examination do not need to retake the examination.

Certification & Licensing Board: Rhode Island Certification http://www.ricertboard.org/