MAPPA Prevention Recertification Policies
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It is the belief of MAPPA that certified prevention specialists should continue to demonstrate
their competence to deliver quality alcohol/drug prevention services. Recertification is meant
to obtain and enhance the ability of the prevention specialist to serve the community.
OBJECTIVES
1. To obtain current information.
2. To explore new knowledge.
3. To master new skills and techniques.
4. To expand approaches towards delivering prevention services.
The following are examples of continuing education that may apply:
1. College and university programs.
2. MAPPA – approved workshops and seminars, independent study, home study.
3. Programs provided by the State of MD through OETAS.
4. Programs sponsored by MAPPA or other recognized prevention entities.
REQUIREMENTS
To maintain the high standards of the credentialing process, and to assure continuing
awareness of new knowledge in the field, MAPPA requires all Certified Prevention
Professionals (CPP), Certified Prevention Specialists (CPS), and Associate Prevention
Specialists (APS) to renew their certification every two years. Recertification at the reciprocal
credentials of CPS and CPP requires 40 clock hours [40 CEU’s] of approved education
acquired during each 2-year recertification period. The APS credential requires 20 clock hours
[20 CEU’s] of approved continuing education every 2 years. All education must be taken
during the two-year period. CEU’s may not be carried over to the next period. 1 CEU is equal
to 1 clock hour.
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATION
1. Academic courses, which pertain to SPECIFIC ALCOHOL/DRUG prevention skills and
competencies, are acceptable.
2. General Prevention courses not specific to alcohol/drug, which are acceptable, include:
Community Empowerment, Working with Volunteers, Public Speaking, Evaluation, Marketing,
etc.
In order to assign education hours for academic course not pre-approved by MAPPA, the
following materials need to be submitted for review:
a. Course description and objectives.
b. Descriptive course syllabus to include time frames for each session.
c. Transcript of credit.
The procedure for recertification shall be as follows:
1. Submission of an application including a signed copy of the MAPPA Code of Ethics.
2. Absent of any ethical or malpractice violation in this or any other certifications or
licensures.
3. Verification of completion of continuing education [forty (40) hours for CPP & CPS, or
twenty (20) hours for APS]. Documentation and/or certificates must be titled in area or
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention education or the five (5) domain areas:
Planning and Evaluation; Education and Skill Development; Community Organization; Public
and Organizational Policy; Professional Growth and Responsibility.
4. Submission of appropriate fees. (See Below)
The following CEU’s will be awarded for academic courses unless otherwise specified:
a. 1-credit course will be granted 12 CEU’s.
b. 3-credit course will be granted 36 CEU’s.
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
1. Pre-approved seminars and workshops require a certificate of completion signed by the
instructor to receive credit.
2. Non-approved seminars and workshops will be considered for educational credit on a case-
by-case basis. It is incumbent upon the Preventionist to submit all documentation and
certification.
PLEASE NOTE: The submission of a certificate indicating a certain number of hours does not
assure MAPPA will accept that number of hours for recertification. MAPPA reserves the right
to withhold approval of education hours if it is unable to determine from the submitted
materials the alcohol/drug specific hours.
DOCUMENTATION for courses which have NOT been pre-approved:
1. Certificate of completion.
2. Description of the seminar or workshop, including a schedule showing actual clock hours of
education.
3. Completed MAPPA Request for Approval of CEU’s form.
IN-SERVICE EDUCATION
Those workshops, seminars, presentations that are not open to the public, are provided by an
agency member, and available only to agency personnel.
For recertification, a maximum of 10 clock hours or 10 CEU’s will be accepted.
To be accepted for approval, the Preventionist must submit:
1. A program outline, including schedule showing actual clock hours of education.
2. Verification of attendance and time signed by the agency director.
3. Completed MAPPA Request for Approval form.
CREDIT FOR PRESENTATIONS
MAPPA recognizes that many Preventionists are instructors, and those who provide education
to others may receive credit towards their own recertification.
A certified preventionist who delivers education may receive the same credit as the students,
with these limitations:
1. Credit for the instructor applies ONLY to the FIRST public presentation of a specific
educational program.
2. Educational program, lectures, prepared and presented for clients or community members,
as apart of a prevention program, are NOT applicable.
3. A descriptive outline of the material presented shall be submitted by the presenter, along
with a letter from the sponsoring agency to include:
a. Date of the program
b. Total clock hours presented
c. Verification of topic and subject content
EXCLUDED FROM CREDIT
Continuing education will NOT be given for:
1. CPR or First Aid
2. Courses not related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the alcohol/drug prevention
specialist.
Prior to an individual’s certification renewal date, MAPPA must have received the completed
Application for Recertification, all fees and approved continuing education credits. Any
extension or INACTIVE fees must also be submitted by this date.
If a completed recertification application and fees and/or INACTIVE status fee have not been
received by MAPPA by the due date, the Preventionist shall be notified that certification has
expired. In this case, the prevention specialists must begin the process of certification again
by reapplying for certification according to the requirements, and taking the Written Test again.
Inactive Status
1. If unable to obtain the required continuing education credits in the two year recertification
period a Preventionist may apply for INACTIVE status for a period of up to 11 months.
2. From the date of the expired certification, the Preventionist may no longer use the credential
initials with his/her signature.
3. The Preventionist must submit the Recertification Application, together with the required
documentation, and fee in addition to the INACTIVE status fee for each month past expiration
date, up to a maximum of 11 months from the expiration date.
4. If during the 11 months, the Preventionist completes the process of obtaining the required
continuing education credits, the original recertification date is restored.
5. If the Preventionist does not reactivate the INACTIVE STATUS within time paid for past the
expiration date, certification is withdrawn and the Preventionist must begin the original
certification process again to regain the credential.
6. While classified as “INACTIVE”, the Preventionist is NOT ELIGIBLE for a national certificate
or for reciprocity through IC&RC.
MAPPA Upgrade Procedures
The upgrade from the CPS to the CPP credential requires completing recertification
requirements and documentation that the applicant has attained the higher level of education,
experience and training outlined for the CPP since their original certification. Documentation
must be through original transcripts, letters from employers and training certificates.
MAPPA Education, Experience and Training Standards for Certified Prevention Professional
Education:
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credits in
behavioral sciences, health or human services, or education.
Note: completion of sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university, 18 in the
behavioral sciences, health or human services, or education and an additional two years of
experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
Experience:
Verification of two years (4000 hours) of ATOD prevention related experience.
Training:
Verification of 200 contact hours of prevention specific training- fifty (50) hours must be
ATOD specific. Six (6) hours of prevention specific ethics is required.
MAPPA Education, Experience and Training Standards for Certified Prevention Specialist
Education:
Possession of an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with 18 credits in
behavioral sciences, health or human services, or education.
Note: Possession of high school diploma or GED and an additional two years of experience may
be substituted for the associate’s degree requirement.
Experience:
Verification of one year (2000 hours) of ATOD related prevention experience.
Training:
Verification of 100 contact hours of prevention specific training - fifty (50) hours must be
ATOD specific. Six (6) hours of prevention specific ethics is required.
Re-Certification Fees
MAPPA Members: (application attached)
· Certified Prevention Professional - $100
· Certified Prevention Specialist - $100
· Associate Prevention Specialist - $50
Non-MAPPA Members:
· Certified Prevention Professional - $115
· Certified Prevention Specialist - $115
· Associate Prevention Specialist - $65
Inactive Status Fee
Inactive Status fee is $10 per month for each month past expiration date, up to a maximum of
11 months from the expiration date.
MAPPA Recertification and Inactive Status Policy 11/06