Skip to main content
Top of the Page

  

 

  

 

Credentialing Process

To Become a CPS in the state of Oklahoma you must: (1) complete application and submit within a five-year-period; (2) meet specific competency and ethical conduct requirements; meet minimum education and training requirements; (3) pass the International Certifications and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) examination for Prevention Specialist; (4) and meet fees for credentialing. 

 

  1. Application 

    Your application will be reviewed by the ODAPCA Credentialing Unit once all paperwork from this application has been submitted and received. We will verify all requirements have been satisfied. Based on the findings of this review, your application will be incomplete or approved. If your application is determined to be incomplete, you will be emailed a Preliminary Screening to identify deficiencies. If you are unable to address the identified deficiencies by the end of the five-year period, your application will not be approved, and you will not be issued a CPS credential. To be considered for a CPS in the future you would be required to re-submit application fees, a new application, and associated documentation. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and it may take an extended time to process due to the high volume received. 

     

  2. Requirements for Application
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Live or work in Oklahoma state at least 51% of the time during the five-year application period
    • Applicant must have submitted payment for “Application fee” prior to application
    • Fill out the formal application with the appropriate information. 
      • Attach a current photo id of Applicant 
      • Have a 300-word philosophy 
    • Applicant must have earned at least a High School Diploma or equivalent
    • Applicant must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree
      • An “Official Transcript” must be sent to ODAPCA sealed and stamped officially
    • Applicant must have one year (2000 hours) of work experience with major portion on practice in Prevention and Community Activities 
      • Complete employment verification forms and have employer sign in date for verification on information provided. 
    • Three letters of recommendation from prevention specialist peer. (One must be signed by a certified prevention specialist.) 
    • 150 CEU’S hours on prevention specific workshops/seminars or University courses and community work within a five-year period.
      • 100 hours of prevention specific education
      • 50 hours must be in alcohol, tobacco & other drug education (ATOD)
      • 6 hours of Prevention Ethics Course
    • 120 Hours of supervised Prevention 
      • 120 hours of specific to the domains (12 hours minimum in each domain)
      • Have Supervisor fill out Certified Prevention Specialist Practicum/Training form (must be signed by Applicant and Supervisor)
  3. Examination

    After all requirements have been met on the application and approved by the ODAPCA Credentialing Unit a Preliminary Screening form will be emailed to the candidate for approval and the instructions of the next steps in the process. Candidates must take the International Certifications and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) examination for Prevention Specialist within one year of approval. There is a Computer Based Test Fee of $247.50 to take the CPS examination. Do not send examination fees until your application has been approved and you have been notified that you are eligible to test. To be certified you will need to pass the exam with a score of 500 or above. In case of a failed score, you will need to retake the exam within the next year with a 90-day waiting period after the most recent exam taken and will need to pay the Computer Based Test fee to be pre-registered again. 

     

  4. Fees Scheduled 

    All fees are non-refundable. Fees must be paid in order of the step you are in for certification. Fees must be processed on our website ODAPCA.org in payment options of card, check or cash. 

  • Submit a signed “Think Tank” Code of Ethics/Affirmation Statement verifying applicant read, understands, and will adhere to boards Code of Ethics-Prevention Specific
  • $90.00 Application Processing Fee- Must be paid prior to submitting application covers fees up to five years of application period (initial fee)
  • $247.50 Computer Based Testing Fee- do not send until you are eligible for testing, if failed you will need to repay same fee 
  • $143.50 Certification Fee and Membership fees after exam has passed.
  • Renewal Fee- To keep certification, you will need to renew each year on December 31st You may choose from
    • o-$90.00 CPS State Only Non-Reciprocal and includes ODAPCA Membership or 
    • 143.50 CPS Membership that includes IC&RC Reciprocity and ODAPCA Membership

     

  1. Declaration of Intent 

When you have received the application packet, please send back the Declaration of Intent filled in via email to ODAPCA within the first week. To maintain the accuracy of the Credentialing database. 

Back to Top