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MPCB uses Certemy as our certification management software to house all applications for Montana Certified Prevention Specialists. Your Certemy account will remain active and contain all of your certification information throughout the application and recertification process.
Below is an outline of the steps required to complete your online application using Certemy.
STEP 1: To begin an application, you must first create an account with Certemy. Choose the Standard or Legacy Application and then Apply Now. You will then be taken to a page asking if you have an account. Click No and you will be prompted to create one.
Note: If you don’t see the link to the CPS Legacy option that could mean the timeframe for that process has ended. Legacy will only be available for a three nonconsecutive 30-day windows.
STEP 2: Fill in the requested information to create an account.
Note: Applicants are highly encouraged to use a personal, more permanent email address for their application/certification account for several reasons. Emails attached to your employment might block communications from MPCB & Certemy due to strict firewall protections. This leaves MPCB with almost no way to contact you with certification status updates or community updates. Additionally, your Certemy account will be active on a long-term basis, so if you change employment, you don't have to worry about access to your account.
STEP 3: Next in the registration process, you will be asked to verify your email to complete the registration. A link will be sent to the email address provided for account registration. Click on Complete Registration.
STEP 4: You will be asked for additional information for your professional profile. Read the Terms & Conditions and check the I Accept box.
STEP 5: You will be directed to the homepage of your Certemy account which lists each step required to complete the application process.
STEP 6: Study the homepage. Notice there are now 7 Application Steps outlined on the right side (explained in more detail below). All 7 steps must be completed (including payment of fees) before the application can be considered by the MPCB Eligibility/Education Committee for review. These steps do not have to be completed in the order listed in the application. Applicants can move freely throughout the application, completing steps as you obtain the required information and supporting documentation.
From the My Credentials tab, the applicant’s 7-Step Process is laid out. When you are ready to complete an application step, simply click on that step, and a Complete Now box appears for the applicant to click. Proceed through each of the steps by following the prompts. The Progress bar on the top indicates when you’re complete with each step.
1. Personal Information
This section of the application requires the applicant to submit their contact information. Click on the Complete Now button to complete this section of the application.
NOTE: Applicants are required to use their legal name that matches their government-issued photo ID (i.e. Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, etc.)! This is extremely important. The name on your application is the name used for pre-registration for your prevention specialist examination. Should this name not match your government-issued photo ID, you will not be permitted to sit for the examination. This can result in canceled exams, delay in certification, and additional examination fees on the part of the applicant.
2. Education
In this section, applicants are required to indicate their highest level of education attained. The applicant will be allowed to upload a diploma. Click on the Drop files to attach or Browse to attach the document from wherever you house it on your computer, then click Upload.
NOTE: Once a document is uploaded into a step and the applicant refreshes the page, they will notice it says Pending in that application step. It will remain in the Pending status until that step is either Approved or Rejected by the Board.
3. Experience
This section is to be completed by the Professional and Supervisor. Here the applicant will document their 2000 hours of required experience including a minimum of 500 in ATOD prevention and the required 120 hours of supervision which the supervisor will confirm.
Once you complete your section, click Continue. Then, invite a Supervisor to complete the next section. This might be a former supervisor, HR Director, past Technical Assistance Leader, or whomever can attest to your experience. MPCB is eager to work with those interested in returning to the prevention arena and (within reason) we will work with you to satisfy our requirements and help you navigate unusual circumstances with supervisors or HR departments that are no longer available.
4. Education & Training
Complete the mandatory 120-hour requirement specifics explained here. Continue to add and submit until 120 hours have been reached. Once the required hours have been submitted, click the Confirm Log button on the pop-up box. The system will not allow any hours to be added after you click Confirm. If you’d like to add more than 120 hours, click Close window instead. Some individuals like adding additional hours even when it’s unnecessary.
Motivation Break: There are a lot of procedures to follow and supporting materials to collect. But you know who will appreciate this effort? Those children who grow up to be adults without the problems your efforts in prevention helped forestall. Alright then, get busy certifying.
5. Code of Ethical Conduct
Download the Code of Ethical Conduct, read it thoroughly, and attest.
6. Application Attestation
Read the Application Attestation clause and attest by clicking Yes.
7. Fees
Initial Application | $75 |
Initial 2-year Certification | $150 |
IC&RC Exam | $175 |
TOTAL | $400 |
Recertification (CPS valid for 2 years) | $175 |
To complete this step, you simply click on Pay Fee. This will take you to a screen where you can pay by credit card using Stripe. Once processed, a payment receipt will show up in your Digital Wallet. A receipt can be downloaded for your records at any time.
If an employer or other arrangement has been made for the payment of your application fees, click on 3rd Party Payment. A pop-up screen will appear that asks you to provide a comment about who will be submitting the payment. If your employer is submitting payment that includes other prevention specialists applying for credentialing, ensure the proper MPCB invoice is used to avoid confusion that might hold up your application. Applicants MUST contact the Certification Program Manager at Emily.Weiler@mso.umt.edu to make arrangements for the completion of 3rd party payments. The Certification Program Manager will provide the invoice needed to ensure no important details are lost when the employer remits the payment.
My Credentials
There are many helpful functions available on your Certemy account homepage. Click on My Credentials in the taskbar at the top of the screen, to get to your homepage and see the 7 steps.
Profile and Email Notification Settings
The Profile tab, where that applicant’s name is listed, is where the applicant can manage profile information and Email Notification Settings. Review the Email Notification Settings tab to manage what kind of notifications you receive regarding your application and recertification. But don’t opt out of receiving the key information needed to complete the application.
Changing the Email Address on your Certemy Account: Should the applicant wish to change their email address; the applicant can do it within the system. If you have any problems:
- Contact Certemy at support@certemy.com or call (866) 907-4088.
- Provide your name, the current email on your account, and the new email address you wish to now have attached to the account.
Digital Wallet
Once documents and files are uploaded to the applicant's application, they can be found in the Digital Wallet. These materials will remain within the Digital Wallet for immediate access. Once an applicant’s certification is finalized, their Prevention Specialist Certificate will be located here. You can also find receipts for fees paid in your Digital Wallet.