The CPS is an individual that helps communities and individuals prevent issues in public health using various domains. Prevention specialists proactively intervene to prevent, delay the onset of, or reduce the severity of many common public health concerns and other societal issues. CPSs may focus their practice in a variety of areas including substance abuse, behavioral health, violence, bullying, crime, and illness. They have supervised work experience providing substance abuse prevention services and have been engaged in working directly in the field of prevention. Child welfare, mental health, behavioral health, infectious diseases, or substance abuse are examples of acceptable areas.
Minimum Standards
Experience
• A minimum of 2,000 hours of prevention experience across all domains.
Education
• At least 120 education hours across all domains:
24 hours specific to ATOD
6 hours in Prevention Ethics
Supervision
• A minimum of 120 hours of supervision specific to the prevention domains, with at least 10 hours in each domain.
Examination
• Applicants must successfully pass the IC&RC Prevention Specialist (PS) examination.
Code of Ethics
• Applicants must sign a prevention-specific Code of Ethics statement.
Recertification
• 40 hours of continuing education are required every two years, 6 hours must be Prevention Ethics.
Jurisdiction
• Individuals must live or work at least 51% of the time within the Member Board’s jurisdiction at the time of application and testing.
Click here to review the Prevention Domains in the Candidate Guide.
Click here to review the PS Domains in the Candidate Guide (Spanish)