Certified Prevention
Specialist (CPS) Overview
Application Requirements Effective for
September 2011 Exam and Beyond
150 Prevention Education Hours
– 24 Hours of ATOD Addiction Pharmacology type courses (brain
development, underage drinking, marijuana, methamphetamine,
opiates, inhalants, alcohol, prescription drugs, etc.)
– 24 Hours of ATOD Prevention Education Curriculum trainings or
Training of Trainers (TOT) (Strengthening Families, Communities
that Care, Project Alert, Selecting an EBP, Question, Persuade,
Respond (QPR), ASIST etc.)
– 18 hours of Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training
(SAPST)
– 20 hours minimum of Community Mobilization/ Coalition
Building/ Systems Thinking/Planning (ex: Communities that
Care, Strategic Prevention Framework, etc)
– 44 hours maximum general prevention topics
(violence, HIV,
problem gambling, suicide prevention, mental health promotion. teen
pregnancy, underage drinking, etc.)
– 8 hours of Cultural Competence/Humility
– 6 hours of facilitation/presentation skills training
– 6 hours prevention ethics, including confidentiality
2,000 Hours of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug use
Prevention related experience.
Verification of 120 hours of supervised experiential
learning in the 5 Prevention Performance Domains
(minimum 10 hours each domain) with documented
evaluation.
National criminal history background check. (checking
for both violent offenses and sexual offenses)
Test Information
Test Dates for 2011:
– March 12, 2011 and September 10, 2011
Application Submission Deadlines:
– February 1, 2011 for March exam and
August 1, 2011
– Cost: $180 ($130 testing fee, $50 app. fee)
Location of test: ACCBO office in Portland,
occasionally other locations
Time: 11:00 (3.5 hours to complete)
5 Prevention Domains
Planning and Evaluation (36 questions)
2. Education and Skill Development (42 questions)
3. Community Organization (26 questions)
4. Public Policy and Environmental Change
1.
(20 questions)
5.
Professional Growth and Responsibility
(26 questions)
(Handout provided with tasks provided under each domain)
Test Overview
150 multiple-choice items, some may be
psychometric questions
Scan-tran test completed in pencil.
Some questions will have only one correct
answer.
Other questions will be psychometric questions,
which means we are looking for the best
answer of numerous correct answers
Example Question #1
The metabolic process that changes alcohol to
the compound acetic acid is known as:
A. absorption
B. distribution
C. detoxification
D. oxidation
Correct answer: C
Example Question #2
Long Term effects of alcoholism may include:
A. confusion
B. cerebral atrophy and cardiovascular
damage
C. marked uncoordination
D. Ataxia
Answer to Question #2
All the answers to the question are correct.
Best answer is b (cerebral atrophy and
cardiovascular damage)
Why? Because is covers all of the other
answers. Cerebral atrophy and cardiovascular
damage causes the other symptoms listed.
Suggestion: Review all responses before you
select your correct response.
Testing Suggestions
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Start with a Positive Mental Attitude
Arrive Early at Testing Site
Listen Carefully to Instructions
Check your Test
Plan your Time
Practice Deep Breathing
Answer “Easy” Questions First
Read Slowly and Completely
Read all the Answers
10. Don’t Expect to Know ALL the Answers
11. Budget your Time
12. Avoid Changing Answers
13. Use the Process of Elimination
14. Don’t let Others Intimidate You
15. Be Careful Using Answers Sheet
Recertification Process
Recertify every 2 years
Cost: $130 ($100 is you are dually certified by
ACCBO)
Recertification postcard reminder will be sent to
you via postal mail. You will then need to
download recertification packet from ACCBO
web page.
40 hours of continuing education hours in
Prevention topics.
– 6 hours must be in prevention ethics every
two years.
Information
Application located on the ACCBO website at
www.accbo.com
Question on Test? Contact ACCBO at 503-2318164
Need help with placement of your hours?
Contact Greta Coe at 503-945-6187 or
greta.l.coe@state.or.us