Preparing to Take the
CESP Exam
First in the Nation!
Patricia K. Keul, ESPCC Director
11/13/2012
Introductions
 Patricia K. Keul – ESPCC Director
 Janice Moore – Certification Consultant- Seacrest, LLC
 Leon Gross, Ph.D. – Psychometric Consultant-Seacrest, LLC
ESPC Council- 2012/2013
Sue Killam, Louisiana
Macey Chovaz, Wisconsin
Karen Flippo, ICI,Boston
Wendy Parent, Ph.D, Kansas
Mindy Oppenheim, California
4/13/2015
Jim Hinson, Vermont
Cherene Caraco, North Carolina
Jeffery Tamburo, New York
Kenji Kellen, North Carolina
(consumer )
Presentation Goals
 Define certification and accreditation
 Define governance requirements- Impartiality
 Role Delineation Study (RDS) & How CESP Test
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Blueprint was developed
CESP Test Blueprint- five domains, 80 topic areas
Exam Eligibility & Exam preparation
Role of training programs in exam prep
Getting ready to take the exam
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What is Certification?
 Process by which individuals demonstrate required
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knowledge and skill
Tool for identifying minimally competent individuals
Usually voluntary, non-governmental (vs. licensure)
Time-limited
Independent of a specific class, course, or other
education/training program (vs. certificate programs)
Primary focus on assessment
All professional certification programs have the same basic key components,
regardless of the profession/industry
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The Value of Certification
 Provides recognition and increased credibility for employment
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support professionals
Supports and encourages continued professional development
Provides a way for employment support professionals to
demonstrate their commitment to supported employment
May create job advancement or increased earnings opportunities
Increased safety (disciplinary process) and industry standards
Helps employers and customers identify qualified employment
support professionals
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What is Accreditation?
 Third party
 Recognition granted to a certification program by a
non-governmental agency after verification that it has met
predetermined standards
 Time limited
 Usually voluntary
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Accreditation Standards
 The ESPCC program will seek accreditation from the
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National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
Accreditation standards represent the minimum
requirements for a quality certification program
Consistent with certification industry best practice
Objective, third party recognition
Increased credibility
Potential competitive advantage
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Overview
2010
1. Certification Body
Governance /
Structure
2. Role Delineation
Study
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2011
3. Policy
Development
2012
7. Certification
Program Launch Plan
4. Test Development
5. Marketing &
Communications Plan
6. Candidate
Materials
8. Test
Administration
9. NCCA
Accreditation
Application
Certification Board Essentials
 Autonomy and independence
 Ability to make all essential certification decisions
 Includes Public Member/consumer and CESP
certified individuals
 No involvement in education / training No endorsement or recommendation of any
specific training program or organization
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How the CESP Exam was Developed:
The Role Delineation Study (RDS)
 Outcome:
 Clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of
employment support professionals
 Identification of the skills and knowledge required for
successful professional performance
 Built on existing resources
 Research based (via online survey tool)
 Input from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) at all stages of
development
 Serves as the foundation for the exam
 Opportunity to collect valuable demographic data
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Initial RDS Topic Areas
1. Application of Core Values and Principles to Practice &
2.
3.
4.
5.
Legislation and Funding
Individualized Assessment and Employment / Career
Planning
Community Research and Job Development
Workplace and Related Supports
Ongoing Supports
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RDS – Rating Scales
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RDS – Sample Items
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Cool Things We Learned from the RDS
 Items with high frequency ratings generally had high criticality ratings
 588 completed surveys (65% from APSE members)
 15% response rate from total APSE members (2,500 members)
 Average age 48
 39% bachelor’s degree
 40% master’s degree
 45% work in an urban environment
 44 of the 50 states represented
 67% have primary job responsibility in community employment services
 13 average years of experience in community employment services
 Largest concentration of services is provided for clients with intellectual disabilities
(56%)
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Test Development Steps: Completed
Role
Delineation
Study
Exam
Blueprint
Item Writing &
Review
Exam
Development
Review of Cut
Score Data /
Equating
Initial Scoring &
Data Analysis
Exam
Administration
Cut Score
Study
Final Scoring &
Data Analysis
Candidate Score
Reports, Technical
Report & Database
Maintenance
Item
Development
Ongoing Exam
Development and
Administration
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Applicants for certification must meet all of the following requirements before they
take the exam:
Education Requirement  High school diploma, GED or equivalent
Experience Requirement  Each applicant must meet one of the following
requirements:
1 year of employment services professional (ESP) work experience as defined
below, which may include up to a maximum of 3 months of internship or
practicum time
OR
9 months of ESP work experience with training component as defined in the
candidate handbook.
Code of Conduct  Each applicant must agree to and sign the Code of Conduct
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The exam administration takes one half day to administer &
requires:
1. A large room with lecture style tables- test takers sit – arm’s length
apart.
2. Access to nearby restrooms
3. Quiet, climate controlled setting- proctor from ESPC C present at
all times!
4. Freedom from distraction for 4 hours
5. Area to register test takers & check credentials at sign- in.
6. Coffee & tea and water would be Nice to have
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Visit the APSE web site: www. APSE.org to get the test blue print.
Study the 80 items listed on the test blueprint & candidate handbook.
Read and or attend nationally recognized training materials
Focus on the five domain areas of the CESP exam:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Application of Core Values and Principles to Practice & Legislation and Funding
Individualized Assessment and Employment / Career Planning
Community Research and Job Development
Workplace and Related Supports
Ongoing Support
•ESPCC recognizes that there are many valuable training programs across the country that may prepare professionals to
pass the ESPCC examination. ESPCC does not endorse specific training programs, and ESPCC does not engage in
education or training programs.
4/13/2015
The CESP Test Blue Print =
Five Domains/ 80 Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Application of Core Values and Principles to Practice &
Legislation and Funding (13 to 17%)
Individualized Assessment and Employment / Career
Planning (23-29%)
Community Research and Job Development (19-25%)
Workplace and Related Supports (27-33%)
Ongoing Support (6-8%)
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CESP Topic Areas- Sample #1
Domain 1: Application of Core Values and Principles to
Practice (13-17%)
 All people having the right to work and being entitled to equal access to
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employment in the general workforce
Zero exclusion
Disability etiquette
People First Language
Job seeker strengths interests and talents
Full inclusion in the general workforce
Self determination and empowerment
ETC.
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CESP Topic Areas- Sample #2
Domain 2: Individualized Assessment and
Employment/Career Planning (23-29%)
 Rights and responsibilities related to disclosure of disability
 Counseling job seeker on disability disclosure
 Practices unique to school-to-work
 Rapid engagement in the employment process
 Limitations of traditional vocational evaluation for job seekers with significant
disabilities
 Motivational interviewing techniques
 Interviews with job seeker and others familiar with his/her abilities and work
history
 ETC.
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CESP Topic Areas- Sample # 3
Domain 3: Community Research and Job Development
(19-25%)
 Gathering and analyzing labor trend information
 Identifying patterns in job markets
 Disability etiquette
 Maintaining updated information on businesses type of jobs available and
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locations of jobs within the community
Developing and communicating effective marketing and messaging tools for
employment
Positioning the agency as an employment service
Targeting message to specific audience
ETC.
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CESP Topic Areas- Sample # 4
Domain 4: Workplace and Related Supports (27-33%)
 Communicating with job seeker/employee and his/her natural and paid
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supports
Impact of earned income on entitlements
Transportation for work
Family support
Housing/residential staff cooperation
Gathering clear job expectations from employers
 Preparing and coordinating for the first day on job
 ETC.
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CESP Topic Areas- Sample # 5
Domain 5: Ongoing Supports (6-8%)
 Scope and limitation of funding sources for ongoing support
 Access to community resources and supports (e.g. transportation counseling
food assistance financial housing)
 Impact on benefits/entitlements as earned income changes and ongoing
access to benefits counseling (e.g., Community Work Incentive Coordinators)
 Collaboration with employees employers and family members to ensure
successful employment
 Support employees for job and/or career advancement
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ESPCC recognizes that there are many valuable training
programs across the country that may prepare professionals to pass the
CESP examination.
ESPCC does not endorse or recommend any specific training
programs, and ESPCC* does not engage in education or training
programs.
*APSE may offer training as ESPCC is governed independently from APSE
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Benefits to Target Audiences
•Employment Support
Professionals
• Employment
Specialists
•Job Developers
•Transitions Specialists
•Community
Rehabilitation Programs
•Direct Service Agencies
•Secondary & Post
Secondary Education
Transition Programs
Career
Enhancement
Business
Credibility
•Trade Associations
•Advocacy Groups
•Civic & Business
Groups
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Economic Gain
Consumer/Family
Confidence
•Local Gov. Agencies
•State Agencies
•Federal Agencies
CESP certification opens the door to:
• Improved professional advancement & job opportunities;
•Increased income opportunities.
•Enhanced credibility with employers
For provider agencies and Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs): Sponsoring staff to
earn their CESP credentials, or hiring CESP-certified professionals, increases your credibility with community
business leaders and opens the door to new employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Supporting CESP certification for your staff:
•Increases your marketing edge with employers & businesses
•Assures the public and consumers of your commitment to best practices
•Validates your commitment to ethical and safety standards
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Upcoming CESP Exams
Please visit the APSE Website for
Exam Information
www.apse.org/certification
4/13/2015
Thanks for your time and interest
Stay tuned as CESP Grows!
Patricia K. Keul
ESPCC Director
704-534-1943
pat@apse.org
APSE
301-279-0060
Janice Moore
Seacrest Consulting
877-619-9885 x 702
Leon Gross, Ph.D.
Seacrest Consulting
877-619-9885