Virginia Certified Prevention Specialist
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1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the
Virginia Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential?
A. To authorize private security licensing for commercial firms
B. To certify individuals in forensic investigation procedures
C. To ensure competency in substance use and community prevention
services
D. To license mental health clinicians for clinical diagnosis
Correct Answer: C. The CPS credential primarily ensures that professionals
are competent in planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention
programs aimed at reducing substance use and related community harms
through evidence-based prevention strategies.
2. Which organization is responsible for administering the IC&RC
Prevention Specialist examination used in Virginia CPS certification?
A. American Counseling Association
B. International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
, C. National Board of Clinical Social Work
D. Virginia Department of Health
Correct Answer: B. The IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity
Consortium) develops and administers the standardized Prevention
Specialist examination used across multiple jurisdictions, including Virginia.
3. What is the minimum education requirement for the Virginia CPS
credential according to certification standards?
A. High school diploma only
B. Associate degree in any field
C. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant or non-relevant field depending on
experience
D. Master’s degree in public health
Correct Answer: C. Applicants typically must hold at least a bachelor’s
degree, though field relevance may affect required experience hours for
eligibility.
4. Which of the following is a core expectation of a Certified Prevention
Specialist’s role in the community?
A. Conducting criminal prosecutions in court
B. Designing and implementing prevention programs to reduce
substance-related harm
C. Prescribing treatment medications for substance use disorders
D. Performing forensic autopsies in criminal investigations
Correct Answer: B. CPS professionals focus on designing, implementing,
and evaluating prevention programs aimed at reducing substance use and
related harms in populations.
5. How many hours of prevention-specific education are generally
required for CPS certification eligibility?
A. 40 hours
, B. 80 hours
C. 120 hours
D. 200 hours
Correct Answer: C. Most CPS certification frameworks require
approximately 120 hours of prevention-related education and training.
6. Which of the following topics is specifically required within CPS
prevention education training?
A. Advanced criminal interrogation techniques
B. Prevention ethics training
C. Firearms handling procedures
D. Courtroom litigation strategy
Correct Answer: B. Prevention ethics training is a required component to
ensure professionals adhere to ethical standards in prevention practice.
7. What type of examination must candidates pass to become a Certified
Prevention Specialist in Virginia?
A. Oral board interview only
B. IC&RC written multiple-choice examination
C. Practical field simulation only
D. Essay-based university exam
Correct Answer: B. Candidates must pass the IC&RC Prevention Specialist
examination, which is primarily a standardized multiple-choice test.
8. Which of the following best describes prevention work experience
requirements for CPS certification?
A. No experience is required if education is sufficient
B. Experience is optional and not evaluated
C. Several years of supervised prevention-related employment or
hours are required
D. Only volunteer experience is accepted
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the
Virginia Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential?
A. To authorize private security licensing for commercial firms
B. To certify individuals in forensic investigation procedures
C. To ensure competency in substance use and community prevention
services
D. To license mental health clinicians for clinical diagnosis
Correct Answer: C. The CPS credential primarily ensures that professionals
are competent in planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention
programs aimed at reducing substance use and related community harms
through evidence-based prevention strategies.
2. Which organization is responsible for administering the IC&RC
Prevention Specialist examination used in Virginia CPS certification?
A. American Counseling Association
B. International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
, C. National Board of Clinical Social Work
D. Virginia Department of Health
Correct Answer: B. The IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity
Consortium) develops and administers the standardized Prevention
Specialist examination used across multiple jurisdictions, including Virginia.
3. What is the minimum education requirement for the Virginia CPS
credential according to certification standards?
A. High school diploma only
B. Associate degree in any field
C. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant or non-relevant field depending on
experience
D. Master’s degree in public health
Correct Answer: C. Applicants typically must hold at least a bachelor’s
degree, though field relevance may affect required experience hours for
eligibility.
4. Which of the following is a core expectation of a Certified Prevention
Specialist’s role in the community?
A. Conducting criminal prosecutions in court
B. Designing and implementing prevention programs to reduce
substance-related harm
C. Prescribing treatment medications for substance use disorders
D. Performing forensic autopsies in criminal investigations
Correct Answer: B. CPS professionals focus on designing, implementing,
and evaluating prevention programs aimed at reducing substance use and
related harms in populations.
5. How many hours of prevention-specific education are generally
required for CPS certification eligibility?
A. 40 hours
, B. 80 hours
C. 120 hours
D. 200 hours
Correct Answer: C. Most CPS certification frameworks require
approximately 120 hours of prevention-related education and training.
6. Which of the following topics is specifically required within CPS
prevention education training?
A. Advanced criminal interrogation techniques
B. Prevention ethics training
C. Firearms handling procedures
D. Courtroom litigation strategy
Correct Answer: B. Prevention ethics training is a required component to
ensure professionals adhere to ethical standards in prevention practice.
7. What type of examination must candidates pass to become a Certified
Prevention Specialist in Virginia?
A. Oral board interview only
B. IC&RC written multiple-choice examination
C. Practical field simulation only
D. Essay-based university exam
Correct Answer: B. Candidates must pass the IC&RC Prevention Specialist
examination, which is primarily a standardized multiple-choice test.
8. Which of the following best describes prevention work experience
requirements for CPS certification?
A. No experience is required if education is sufficient
B. Experience is optional and not evaluated
C. Several years of supervised prevention-related employment or
hours are required
D. Only volunteer experience is accepted
