• Certification marks the professionals who are specialists in the field.

• Certified professionals are recognized in state and national insurance legislation and in Federal Department of Transportation regulations.

• Opportunity for peer networking, involvement and impact through MAPPA sponsored education conferences and committee work.

• Certification increases professionalism of the field.

• Employers may use the credential as a basis for hiring and advancement.

• Some employers are requesting or requiring certification upon employment.

• Freedom to move to another state within the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium and be granted the state's credential license.

• Recourse for the client who may have been treated incompetently or unethically by a certified professional.

MAPPA has three levels of certification:

Certified Prevention Professional (CPP): This classification is for the professional who has a number of years of experience in the field and typically functions at the supervisory level, supervising or administering multiple prevention projects or programs. This professional uses specific knowledge and skills to guide the work of others for the purpose of precluding or reducing problems caused by the use of alcohol and other drugs. This is a Maryland specific credential that meets and exceeds the international standards for CPS and is recognized throughout the world via reciprocity at the CPS level.

Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS): This classification is for the professional who facilitates and promotes positive growth in self, specific populations (i.e. groups at risk developing drug and alcohol problems), and the community at large. This professional uses specific knowledge and skills to design, implement and evaluate programs aimed at precluding or reducing problems caused by the use of alcohol and other drugs. This is an international credential that is recognized throughout the world via reciprocity.

Associate Prevention Specialist (APS): This classification is for the beginning professional or community person who is learning prevention skills or facilitates and promotes positive growth in self, with specific populations (i.e. after-school programs, church youth groups, etc.). This individual uses specific knowledge and skills to provide programs aimed at precluding or reducing problems caused by the use of alcohol and other drugs. This is not an international credential and is not recognized by the IC&RC as reciprocal.

To prepare for the IC&RC Exam required for CPP and CPS individuals may obtain Prevention Candidate Guides, Study Guides and Role Delineation Studies through the IC&RC Website.
 

To apply to take the IC&RC/AODA Prevention exam email MAPPA at mdamericorpsfellow@yahoo.com and let them know you are applying to take the Prevention exam. Candidates who do not pass the exam must follow the same procedures again to re-take the test.