A. Certified prevention professional is a practice credential. The scope of practice affords the certified prevention professional the flexibility of working in a variety of settings that supports competency-based levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Prevention can range from working with specific and varied populations to mobilizing communities and advocating for healthy behaviors. In the exercise of his scope of practice, the certified prevention professional shall adhere to the requirements of the state strategic prevention plan and shall do nothing inconsistent with, or in derogation of, that plan.

            B. Any person seeking to be recognized by the board as a certified prevention professional shall submit an application to the board on a form and in a manner as the board shall prescribe. The initial application form shall be accompanied by an initial application fee of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars. The certification shall be renewed every two years and shall be accompanied by a fee for renewal of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars.

            C. Upon investigation of the application, the board shall, within forty-five days, notify each candidate that the application is satisfactory and accepted or unsatisfactory and rejected. If an application is rejected, the notice shall state the reason for such rejection.

            D. The board shall recognize as a certified prevention professional each candidate who:

            (1) Possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and documents two years of board-approved prevention experience.

            (2) Is a legal resident of the United States and at least twenty-one years of age on the date the application is received.

            (3) Is not in violation of any ethical standards subscribed to by the board.

            (4) Has not been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere to a felony. However, the board may, in its discretion, waive this requirement upon review of the individual’s circumstances. Each candidate shall provide the board with a certified criminal history.

            (5)(a) Demonstrates professional competence by passing a written examination.

            (b) The board shall determine the scope and administration of the examination.

            (c) The board may provide for circumstances under which a candidate who fails the examination, but who meets all other requirements, may retake the examination.

            (d) The board shall make reasonable accommodations for those candidates who demonstrate a special need or disability.

            (6) Documents completion of any ethics training required by the board and signs a form of professional and ethical accountability and responsibility as prescribed by the board.

            (7) Documents having successfully completed any training prescribed by the board. Training as contemplated in this Chapter may include educational as well as experiential components.

            (8) Provides three letters of recommendation as prescribed by the board.

            E. The certified prevention professional is a practice credential and, to the extent possible, it shall be governed by existing rules, including but not limited to those applicable to the application for and renewal of prevention practice credentials. The board may adopt and promulgate such additional rules as may be necessary and may prescribe such other qualifications and requirements for certified prevention professionals as may be appropriate for the protection of the public or the enhancement of professional services provided pursuant to the authority of this Chapter.

            Acts 2006, No. 427, §2; Acts 2018, No. 206, §3; Acts 2020, No. 328, §2.