Overview
OASAS is experiencing longer than usual delays in processing applications and mail. We appreciate your patience as we work diligently to review as quickly as possible.
The Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) or Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS) is intended for individuals interested in helping to prevent the development of substance use disorders. CPP’s and CPS’ use a comprehensive, multi-dimensional prevention services approach which includes the following five performance domains:
- Planning and evaluation;
- prevention education and service delivery;
- communication;
- community organization;
- public policy and environmental change;
- professional growth and responsibility.
Requirements
To become a CPP/CPS in New York state, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Be proficient in English, including the ability to speak, write, comprehend orally, and read at a minimum level necessary to perform as a CPP/CPS;
- Live or work in New York State at least 51 percent of the time during the application period;
- Have two individuals complete an Evaluation of Competency and Ethical Conduct on your behalf. The Evaluation is based on the CPP/CPS Canon of Ethical Principles.
-
Successfully complete a criminal background check review;
You may obtain a CPS and apply to upgrade to a CPP at a later date if your CPS is still active and in good standing and you meet the CPP requirements. To request an upgrade application you can contact the Credentialing Unit.
Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS)
- Document a minimum of 2,000 hours (approximately one year) of supervised, full-time equivalent work experience in an approved setting;
- Document completion of education and training consisting of a minimum of 120 clock hours;
- Pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Inc. (IC&RC) examination for Prevention Specialists (PS).
Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP)
- Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree;
- Document a minimum of 4,000 hours (approximately two years) of supervised, full-time equivalent work experience in an approved setting;
- Document completion of education and training consisting of a minimum of 250 clock hours.
- Pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Inc. (IC&RC) examination for Prevention Specialists (PS).
All the stated requirements are verified in the application process by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). The complete list of the CPP/CPS qualifications and requirements, as well as the full course curriculum, can be found in the CPP/CPS application.
Human Services Degrees
If you who hold an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree in approved Human Services fields, or are a student pursuing any of these degrees, some of the course work associated with your degree may be claimed toward satisfying some or all of the education and training requirements. In order to determine what coursework may be applicable, your college transcript(s) should be submitted with your application.
Scholarships
Application
The first step in the credentialing process is the submission of a CPP/CPS Application to the Credentialing Unit. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain active for five years from the date of postmark.
The OASAS Credentialing Unit, will review your application to ensure that the minimum eligibility requirements have been satisfied. The Credentialing Unit will issue a review summary based on the contents of your application. Any completed requirements will be noted, and any outstanding requirements will be noted as well. Use the review summary to help determine what else you need to submit for review. You can submit items at any time during the 5-year application period without any additional fees. Please ensure that your full name and a phone number or e-mail address are present and legible on any additional submissions so it can be matched to your original application. You will be issued a new review summary with each submission.
When you are eligible to take the exam, you will be notified and given the registration information. If you are unable to complete all the requirements for either the CPP or CPS by the end of the five-year application period, your application will expire. If you are still interested in pursuing a credential you may submit a new application, with a new fee.
-
Prevention Practitioner Application (PDS-52)
Initial application for individuals seeking to become a Credentialed Prevention Specialist and Credentialed Prevention Professional.
Download
Work Experience Waiver
If you are pursuing an OASAS Credential and you were previously employed by an OASAS Certified or Funded program that has since closed and it may not be possible to obtain verification of work experience directly from the previous employer, please note the following.
CPS/CPP work experience is verified through a Part C - Work Experience Verification Record that includes your job title, dates of employment, the total number of work experience hours, job responsibilities and Supervised Practical Training and is certified by your Qualified Prevention Supervisor (QPS). As an alternative, OASAS will consider your work experience in the absence of sign-off by your QPS pursuant to a Waiver Request.
Waiver Requests must be submitted to the Chair of OASAS' Waiver Committee, accompanied by a Work Experience Verification Record that you have completed and must include some form of documentation which verifies your affiliation with the program (e.g., pay stub, appointment or separation letter, or other personnel records).
Questions regarding work experience should be directed to OASAS' Credentialing Unit at 1-800-482-9564 (Option #2). Questions regarding the waiver process should be directed to the Waiver Review Committee, at [email protected].
-
Request for Waiver from OASAS Regulations (PAS-10)
Request form to be released from certain minimum regulatory standards.
Download
Examination
Effective March 1, 2023, the Prevention Specialist Exam domain weights have been updated.
The IC&RC prevention examination is comprised of 150 multiple choice questions derived from the prevention practitioner tasks identified in the IR&RC Prevention Candidate Guide.
The prevention examination is a computer-based exam that is offered on a weekly basis. Exam site locations are based on the eligible candidate's geographic location. Upon completion of the exam, you will receive a preliminary score at the testing site. Confirmed final results will be transmitted via U.S. mail approximately four weeks after your exam. You may not consider yourself credentialed until you have been issued a certificate.
Applicants who do not pass the examination will remain eligible to retest once every 90 days during the active period of their application. Eligible examination candidates may request an Examination Registration Form by contacting the Credentialing Unit at [email protected]. The Exam form includes information on requesting a reasonable accommodation.
Fee Schedule
All fees must be made in the form of a certified check, money order or a bank check from an OASAS funded and/or certified provider or an OASAS approved training provider. All fees are non-refundable and must be made payable to "NYS OASAS." Please note that personal checks are not accepted.
| Initial Application Processing Fee | $100 |
| Computer Based Examination Fee | $245 |
| Examination Retest Fee | $245 |
| Failure to Update Contact Information Fee | $25 |
| Certificate Reprint Fee | $10 |