Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prevention?

Prevention is a proactive process that empowers individuals and communities to meet the challenges of life events and transitions by creating and reinforcing conditions that promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles.

What is the IC&RC?

The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) is a not-for-profit voluntary membership organization comprised of private, non-profit and governmental certifying boards involved in credentialing or licensing alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, criminal justice addition professionals, and co-occurring disorders professionals.

What is Reciprocity?

Reciprocity is the transfer of an IC&RC credential from one jurisdiction (state, country, or nation) to another without having to retest. Due to changing laws and licensing requirements, reciprocity may have conditions that will have to be met by the certified professional in order to work in a particular jurisdiction. Certified professionals are encouraged to contact the Member Board in the jurisdiction to which they are relocating to inquire about specific requirements.

What is an International Certificate?

The international certificate is an additional certificate available to certified professionals holding a reciprocal credential with an IC&RC member board. It recognizes the international scope of an IC&RC credential that extends beyond the member’s current locale to the global network of the IC&RC Member Boards and communities. A certificate is available for each of the reciprocal credentials offered through IC&RC.

What is a Prevention Specialist and Prevention Consultant?

A Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) provides knowledge and skills as well as promotes the development of healthy attitudes and behaviors in order to prevent the use, misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs and prevent other behaviors harmful to human beings. A Certified Prevention Consultant (CPC) designs and supervises programming which provides the knowledge and skills needed to promote the development of healthy attitudes and behaviors to prevent the use, misuse and abuse of alcohol, drugs and other behaviors unsafe for human beings.

Is there an entry-level certification?

Yes, there is a new level of certification in Arkansas. It is called Associate Preventionist (AP). Associate Preventionist is recommended for candidates who are beginning prevention professionals, work part-time in prevention, volunteers, and/or serve on coalitions.

How do I begin the process?

In order to begin the process, a REGISTRATION FORM 2020 registration form must be submitted and the purchase of an application workbook is required. The registration fee is $75.00 and the workbook fee is $25.00. Mail the registration form to APCB, 1200 N. Madison Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730..

The total cost to start the process is $100.00. Your initial packet will include an introduction letter that will include the personal identification number that has been assigned to you, an application workbook, and a supervisor approval request document.

How long do I have to become certified?

The APCB allows candidates three (3) years for a CPS or (5) years for a CPC from their initial registration date to complete the certification process. Candidates are given (2) years to complete AP certification.

Disclaimer: The APCB allows three (3) years for the Prevention Specialist certification process; however individual funding sources, employers and other certifying entities may have different stipulations.

How much does it cost to become certified?

The total cost to become certified is $260 for CPS or CPC. The total cost for AP is $100.00.

How much is the exam fee?

Computer Based Testing (CBT) cost $160. CBT offers flexibility to candidates preparing to test for certification. The testing service allows you to choose the day, time, and location that you will test. AP candidates are not required to take an exam.

How many times is the exam offered and when?

Computer Based Testing (CBT) dates are now open and availability depends on the location and date selected by the candidate.

What testing sites are available for the CBT exam?

There are plenty of testing sites approved in Arkansas: Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Ft. Smith, Little Rock and Texarkana and more to come.

How many questions are on the exam, and how much time does the exam take?

There are 150 questions on the exam. 25 of the questions are for pre-testing. You will be scored on 125 questions. Candidates have three hours to complete the CBT exam.

How many times can I take the exam?

Candidates may take the exam three times. Before a candidate may take the exam a third time, the candidate and administrator will set up a plan of action to be completed prior to the exam. If a candidate does not pass at that time, they must begin the certification process again.

How much does it cost to re-test?

The re-test fee is $160.00 for CBT.

How do I prepare for the exam?

Download a Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Prevention Specialist Examination (Candidate Guide) as well as the Rhode Island Prevention Specialist Certification: STUDY GUIDE FOR THE CERTIFICATION EXAM. An updated list of suggested references to adequately prepare for the exam are listed at the end of the Candidate Guide.

If I failed the exam, what can I do to prepare better next time?

Review areas where you scored lowest, seek more training and consider waiting six months to retake the test to gain more experience.

If I cancel/reschedule taking the IC & RC exam, do I have to pay the testing fee again?

If you make changes after the testing cutoff date, you are responsible for the cost of the exam, and you will be charged to test at a later date.

When will I receive my exam results?

CBT exam results are provided within minutes of completing the exam.

What if I have already attended some training(s)? Can I count those hours?

All training hours must have occurred within five (5) years of the candidate’s portfolio submission. This means a candidate can go back five years from the date the candidate turns in their portfolio to use hours for training. Check with the board to get information about an approved training, if the training in question is not a standard Prevention training a form is available to request consideration of approval of a specific course or training.

What if I have already been working/volunteering in prevention? Can I count those work experience hours, or do I have to start counting those hours from the date I enter the process?

You are permitted to count work experience hours retroactively up to 5 years from the day you submit your portfolio for review.

What must I include in my application portfolio in order to test? When do I need to send it in?

The application portfolio must include the following:

All of the forms from the application workbook must be completed and submitted. This includes the signed Code of Ethics, all supervision forms that were sent to your supervisor and a copy of your transcript(s) (copies are accepted as long as there is a stamp from the register’s office). Portfolios should be turned in at least two months prior to the test date.

Can I test before my portfolio is complete?

No! Candidates must submit their completed portfolio to the Certification Board for review and receive approval from the board to be eligible to take the exam. The only exception is students that are graduates from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and the University of Central Arkansas in the Addiction Studies programs. These students will still need to get the additional required 10 hours in the Communications Domain.

Can my college degree count for the education/training hours? If so, how many hours?

If you received a Bachelors degree over 5 years ago in a prevention-related field, the degree substitutes for 50 hours of the 100 required workshop hours for a CPS. A Master’s degree over 5 years ago in prevention-related field substitutes for 50 hours of the 150 required workshop hours for a CPC. If the degree was received in 5 years or less look at the prevention-related courses completed and follow the model in the next question. This rule only applies to CPS and CPC certifications, not AP.

Can I receive credit for a college course? If, so how many hours?

The board gives credit for college courses taken within 5 years of portfolio submission that are prevention related. Please send the board a request for approval of a college course. Each college credit is equal to 15 hours. For example, a three hours college course is equal to 45 hours. If a college course was completed over 5 years ago 3 hours of credit is available for prevention-related courses. This rule only applies to CPS and CPC certifications, not AP.

Category	Time Period	Hours of Credit
College Courses relevant to prevention	5 years or less	15 hours per 1 college credit
College Courses relevant to prevention	Over 5 years	1 hour per college credit
Bachelors Degree or higher relevant to Prevention	Over 5 years	50 hours of credit
Bachelors Degree or higher in a non-prevention field	Over 5 years	Case by case basis

How do I find a supervisor? Can I have more than one supervisor?

There is a list of Certified Consultants and Specialists in the appendix of the workbook. Individuals on this list are suggested by the APCB; however, being on the list does not mean an individual has agreed to participate in the supervised practicum. You may contact the APCB for help in finding a supervisor. Candidates may have more than one supervisor. Supervision is not required for Associate Preventionists.

When do I re-certify? How much does it cost to re-certify?

Re-certification is every two years. Certifications expire on December 31^stevery two years. Re-certification applications are due by October 31^st. The fee is $130.00 for CPS and CPC. The fee is $80.00 for AP. Candidates need 40 hours every two years for CPS and CPC. Candidates need 24 hours every two years for AP. Re-certification applications received after the due date will be assessed with a late fee of $50.00.

Certification Level	Re-certification Hours	Re-certification Cost	Required Training
Prevention Consultant	40	$130.00	Ethics Refresher
Prevention Specialist	40	$130.00	Ethics Refresher
Associate Preventionist	24	$80.00	Ethics Refresher