Prevention Credential Requirements

The Board no longer accepts paper applications. All applications must be completed online.  Make sure when you apply in elicense you type your name as it should appear on your wall certificate. Do not use all lower-case letters or your wall certificate will print your name in all lower-case letters.

Online applications are reviewed in the order of “date submitted”.  The review process can take up to 40 business days from the date of receipt due to the vast number of applications we receive.

Path to Prevention Certification- Please see the  Board's Position Statement on what certifications are needed to move through  Prevention Certification   EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2020 

Fresh Start 2019 - Please see the Board's Position Statement on Disqualifying Criminal Convictions

Prevention Credentialing Assistance Offered

DUE TO A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FROM OHMHAS, THE OHIO COACHES AND MENTORING (OCAM) NETWORK CONSISTING OF A GROUP OF SEASONED PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS CAN ASSIST WITH PREVENTION CREDENTIALING HELP, COACHING, RESOURCES, AND GENERAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WANTING TO PURSUE THEIR PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION(S). THIS SERVICE IS OFFERED AT NO COST TO YOU.  PLEASE CONTACT CHRISTI VALENTINI-LACKNER @CVALENTINI-LACKNER@PREVENTION-FIRST.ORG

ONLINE APPLICATIONS

To apply for a certificate, license or endorsement with the Board:

  1. Navigate to the e-License Portal. The e-License Portal is most compatible with Google Chrome or the latest version of other internet browsers.
  2. Register/Login to your Dashboard and select the "Apply for a New License" link.
  3. You will be required to upload and attach all required forms. (PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ/VIEW ALL OF THE MATERIAL THOROUGHLY.)
  4. You will be required to pay the $50 application fee ($35 if you are converting from an LCDC II or an OCPS to a higher license/certificate).
  5. Official Transcripts are required and may be sent to the Transcripts Only E-mail TRANSCRIPTS ONLY E-Mail:  transcripts@ocdp.ohio.gov or by mail. 
  6. It can take up to 40 business days to process applications. 
  7. Please monitor your email account for any communication from the Board asking for additional information needed to complete the processing of your application.
  8. When your license or certificate is awarded make sure you download and print your certificate from your elicense portal. Licenses/Certificates are NOT mailed.  They are provided at the time of approval for download at no cost. Additional certificates after that time must be requested from your portal dashboard as duplicates for a fee.

PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS

RA REQUIREMENTS/FORMS (2 year certification)

  • Must be at least 18 years of age and hold a High School Diploma or GED
  • Completion of Professional Development plan to complete credentialing process
  • Completion of online application

The RA can only be awarded one time.

Professional Development Plan

OCPSA REQUIREMENTS/FORMS

  • Must be at least 18 years of age and hold a High School Diploma or GED
  • 100 hours of prevention related work experience (paid or volunteer)
  • Forty-five (45) hours of prevention education in the specified foundations and domains; 9 of those hours must be *AOD primary prevention specific
  • Completion of online application

If using college education: One semester hour = 15 clock hours or One quarter hour = 10 clock hours

* AOD primary prevention specific hours

To meet this requirement, the content of the learning must lead to outcomes that correlate specifically to substance use prevention. For example: training on prevention education curriculums that have proven outcomes as it related to substance use prevention, training on evidence-based practices as it relates to substance use prevention outcomes.

Also considered meeting this requirement would be education courses on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, only if the course learning relates back to knowledge needed for preventionists, not for clinical knowledge needed for counseling/treatment.

OCPSA Education Grid
Prevention Education Content Area
OHIO WORK EXPERIENCE - The required Prevention Work Experience hours for Ohio Applicants must be submitted by the Supervisors through Elicense (See Reporting of Supervision ONLINE under the Certification and Licensure link)

OCPS REQUIREMENTS/FORMS
  •  A minimum of an associate degree
  • One year (2,000 hours) prevention related work experience (paid or volunteer) obtained under a scope of practice to perform prevention services
  • 120 hours of prevention education in the specified content areas; 24 of those hours must be *AOD prevention specific  
  • Completion of 120 practical experience hours in the six performance/ skill building domain areas.  Please see the IC&RC Domains and Tasks for Prevention to verify what experience is considered in what domains
  • Successful completion of the ICRC Prevention Examination
  • Completion of online application
 
OCPC REQUIREMENTS/FORMS
  • A minimum of a bachelor's degree
  • A OCPS certification
  • Two years (4,000 hours) in administrating or supervising prevention services 
  • 90 hours of administrative or supervisory education 
  • Completion of online application
 
 
If using college education: One semester hour = 15 clock hours or One quarter hour = 10 clock hours
 
 
OHIO WORK EXPERIENCE - The required Prevention Admin/Sup Work Experience hours for Ohio Applicants must be submitted by the Supervisors through Elicense (See Reporting of Supervision ONLINE under the Certification and Licensure link)

 
OUT OF STATE WORK EXPERIENCE  Verification of Prev. Admin. work performed out of state must be documented in paper format by the appropriate supervisors.  
Supervisor Reference Form  (for Out of State Applicants Only) 
Practical Experience Verification Form (for Out of State Applicants Only) 
Prevention Admin/Sup Supervisor Reference Form (For OCPC Out of State Applicants ONLY)