LATEST DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONAL - SPECIALIST (DSP-
S) EXAM | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. Which organization awards the Direct Support
Professional - Specialist (DSP-S) credential?
A) American Medical Association
B) National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
(NADSP)
C) Council on Quality and Leadership
D) Department of Labor
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The DSP-S credential is awarded by the
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
(NADSP).
2. The NADSP credentialing program offers which of
the following sequential certifications for Direct
Support Professionals?
A) DSP-I, DSP-II, DSP-III
B) DSP-R, DSP-C, DSP-S
C) DSP-Entry, DSP-Intermediate, DSP-Advanced
,D) DSP-Basic, DSP-Specialist, DSP-Master
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The NADSP certification program provides
DSP-I, DSP-II, and DSP-III certifications.
3. To earn the DSP-Specialist (DSP-S) credential, a
candidate must first hold which prerequisite
certification?
A) DSP-Registered (DSP-R)
B) DSP-Certified (DSP-C)
C) DSP-Initial Certificate (DSP-IC)
D) DSP-Advanced Certificate (DSP-AC)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: After achieving the DSP-C, direct support
professionals can earn a Specialist credential (DSP-
S).
4. The DSP-Specialist credential recognizes
competence in:
A) Basic entry-level support skills
B) Providing specialized support to individuals who
use community human services
C) Supervisory and management functions
,D) Clinical and medical treatment
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The DSP-S credential recognizes
competence in providing specialized support to
individuals who use community human services.
5. Which of the following is a recognized specialty
area for the DSP-Specialist credential?
A) DSP-Specialist in Health Support (DSP-S-HS)
B) DSP-Specialist in Inclusion (DSP-S-I)
C) DSP-Specialist in Positive Behavior Support (DSP-
S-PBS)
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Specialty credentials include DSP-
Specialist in Health Support (DSP-S-HS), DSP-
Specialist in Inclusion (DSP-S-I), and DSP-Specialist
in Positive Behavior Support (DSP-S-PBS).
6. The DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential (DSP-S-
I) recognizes competence in:
A) Providing medical support and health care
coordination
, B) Supporting the inclusion of people receiving
support services in their communities
C) Implementing positive behavior support plans
D) Supervising other direct support professionals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential
recognizes competence in supporting the inclusion of
people receiving support services in the communities
in which they live and work.
7. Which of the following is a required element for
obtaining the DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential?
A) A bachelor's degree
B) Approved continuing education in inclusion (40
hours)
C) Five years of work experience
D) Completion of a clinical internship
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Required elements include approved
continuing education in inclusion (40 hours).
8. What is the work experience requirement for the
DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential?
PROFESSIONAL - SPECIALIST (DSP-
S) EXAM | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. Which organization awards the Direct Support
Professional - Specialist (DSP-S) credential?
A) American Medical Association
B) National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
(NADSP)
C) Council on Quality and Leadership
D) Department of Labor
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The DSP-S credential is awarded by the
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
(NADSP).
2. The NADSP credentialing program offers which of
the following sequential certifications for Direct
Support Professionals?
A) DSP-I, DSP-II, DSP-III
B) DSP-R, DSP-C, DSP-S
C) DSP-Entry, DSP-Intermediate, DSP-Advanced
,D) DSP-Basic, DSP-Specialist, DSP-Master
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The NADSP certification program provides
DSP-I, DSP-II, and DSP-III certifications.
3. To earn the DSP-Specialist (DSP-S) credential, a
candidate must first hold which prerequisite
certification?
A) DSP-Registered (DSP-R)
B) DSP-Certified (DSP-C)
C) DSP-Initial Certificate (DSP-IC)
D) DSP-Advanced Certificate (DSP-AC)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: After achieving the DSP-C, direct support
professionals can earn a Specialist credential (DSP-
S).
4. The DSP-Specialist credential recognizes
competence in:
A) Basic entry-level support skills
B) Providing specialized support to individuals who
use community human services
C) Supervisory and management functions
,D) Clinical and medical treatment
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The DSP-S credential recognizes
competence in providing specialized support to
individuals who use community human services.
5. Which of the following is a recognized specialty
area for the DSP-Specialist credential?
A) DSP-Specialist in Health Support (DSP-S-HS)
B) DSP-Specialist in Inclusion (DSP-S-I)
C) DSP-Specialist in Positive Behavior Support (DSP-
S-PBS)
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Specialty credentials include DSP-
Specialist in Health Support (DSP-S-HS), DSP-
Specialist in Inclusion (DSP-S-I), and DSP-Specialist
in Positive Behavior Support (DSP-S-PBS).
6. The DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential (DSP-S-
I) recognizes competence in:
A) Providing medical support and health care
coordination
, B) Supporting the inclusion of people receiving
support services in their communities
C) Implementing positive behavior support plans
D) Supervising other direct support professionals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential
recognizes competence in supporting the inclusion of
people receiving support services in the communities
in which they live and work.
7. Which of the following is a required element for
obtaining the DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential?
A) A bachelor's degree
B) Approved continuing education in inclusion (40
hours)
C) Five years of work experience
D) Completion of a clinical internship
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Required elements include approved
continuing education in inclusion (40 hours).
8. What is the work experience requirement for the
DSP-Specialist in Inclusion credential?
