Free Practice Questions for IC&RC Prevention Specialist
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Key Facts: IC&RC Prevention Specialist Exam
150
Total Questions (125 Scored)
IC&RC PS Candidate Guide
3 hours
Computer-Based Time Limit
IC&RC
500
Scaled Passing Score (200-800)
IC&RC scoring
25%
Planning & Evaluation Weight
IC&RC PS blueprint
75+
Reciprocal Jurisdictions
IC&RC member boards
100-150 hrs
Average Study Time
Candidate reports
The IC&RC Prevention Specialist (PS) credential — branded CPS, ACPS, or PS depending on state board — is the dominant national/international certification for substance use prevention professionals, recognized by over 75 IC&RC member boards. The exam delivers 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored + 25 pretest) over 3 hours, using a scaled passing score of 500 on a 200-800 scale. Planning and Evaluation (25%) and Professional Growth and Responsibility (19%) carry the most weight, followed by Prevention Education and Service Delivery (15%), Communication (15%), Community Organization (15%), and Public Policy and Environmental Change (11%). The blueprint comes from IC&RC's 2022 job analysis (exam updated in 2023), which raised the weight of Professional Growth and Responsibility, reflecting tightened ethics expectations across IC&RC.
Sample IC&RC Prevention Specialist Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the IC&RC Prevention Specialist exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 120+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A prevention specialist is beginning a new community initiative on adolescent vaping. According to the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), which step must be completed FIRST?
2A coalition is designing a program for the entire 7th-grade population at a middle school regardless of individual risk. Under the Institute of Medicine (IOM) continuum, this is BEST classified as which type of prevention?
3Which of the following is an example of an ENVIRONMENTAL prevention strategy rather than an individual-level strategy?
4Which of the following BEST describes a RISK factor, as defined by CSAP and Hawkins-Catalano research?
5A logic model for a prevention program would typically display its components in which order?
6Which evidence-based program is a UNIVERSAL, school-based curriculum developed by Gilbert Botvin that focuses on personal, social, and drug-resistance skills?
7A prevention specialist wants every objective in a grant proposal to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This best practice is referred to as:
8Which behavioral theory proposes that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers drive health behavior change?
9According to CADCA, an effective community coalition should include representatives from how many community sectors?
10Which IC&RC Code of Ethics principle is MOST likely violated when a prevention specialist begins providing one-on-one substance use counseling to a coalition member?
About the IC&RC Prevention Specialist Exam
The IC&RC Prevention Specialist (PS) examination certifies professionals who plan, deliver, and evaluate substance use prevention services in schools, coalitions, and community settings. The exam covers six domains: Planning and Evaluation, Prevention Education and Service Delivery, Communication, Community Organization, Public Policy and Environmental Change, and Professional Growth and Responsibility. It is grounded in the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), the IOM continuum of universal/selective/indicated prevention, CSAP risk and protective factor research, and the IC&RC Code of Ethics. The credential is reciprocal across IC&RC member boards in over 75 jurisdictions worldwide.
Exam sponsor: IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
150 questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
Scaled score of 500 (200-800 scale, criterion-referenced)
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Planning and Evaluation
SAMHSA SPF five steps (assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, evaluation), CSAP risk/protective factors, logic models, SMART objectives, needs assessment data (archival, survey, focus groups), process vs outcome evaluation, formative vs summative, and Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures.
Prevention Education and Service Delivery
IOM continuum (universal/selective/indicated), evidence-based programs (LifeSkills, Project ALERT, Strengthening Families 10-14, Good Behavior Game, Positive Action), CSAP six strategies, fidelity vs cultural adaptation, lifespan programming (early childhood through older adults), and trauma-informed delivery.
Communication
Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, framing/counter-marketing, social marketing 4Ps, audience segmentation, plain-language guidelines, public speaking, group facilitation, and stigma-reducing language (person-first).
Community Organization
CADCA 12 sectors, Community Tool Box, coalition stages (formation, implementation, maintenance, institutionalization), Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant model, environmental scans, sustainability planning, and capacity building for community readiness (Edwards/Plested Community Readiness Model).
Public Policy and Environmental Change
Environmental prevention (alcohol density, social host ordinances, compliance checks, responsible beverage service, Drug Take-Back, smoke-free laws), Spectrum of Prevention (Cohen), advocacy vs lobbying (501(c)(3) limits), and federal/state policy levers (Synar, minimum legal sales age 21).
Professional Growth and Responsibility
IC&RC Code of Ethics for prevention, dual relationships, confidentiality (FERPA in schools, 42 CFR Part 2 if linked to treatment), cultural humility, scope of practice, mandatory reporting, supervision, continuing education, and prevention specialist core competencies.
Preparing for the IC&RC Prevention Specialist Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled score of 500 (200-800 scale, criterion-referenced)
- Exam length: 150 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam / certification fees: $150-$300 (varies by state IC&RC member board) Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 120 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
IC&RC Prevention Specialist: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the IC&RC Prevention Specialist (PS) exam?
Eligibility is set by each IC&RC member board, but typical requirements include a high school diploma or GED, 120+ hours of prevention-specific education distributed across the six domains, 2,000 hours of supervised prevention work experience, and 120 hours of clinical/professional supervision. Some states require a bachelor's degree for advanced (ACPS) tiers. Candidates apply through their state board (such as IAODAPCA, CCAPP, PA Cert Board, or Maine Prevention Certification Board), which approves them to sit for the IC&RC exam.
How is the IC&RC PS exam structured?
The exam is computer-based and contains 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored + 25 pretest) delivered in 3 hours at IC&RC partner testing centers (some boards offer remote proctoring). Scores are scaled 200-800 with a passing score of 500. Results are typically released as pass/fail within a few weeks, with diagnostic feedback by domain for unsuccessful candidates.
What does the IC&RC PS exam cost?
Fees range from approximately $150 to $300 depending on the state IC&RC member board, plus application and certification fees (often another $100-$200). Retake fees typically run $150-$200. Confirm exact pricing with your specific state board before applying.
Which domains carry the most weight on the IC&RC PS blueprint?
The IC&RC PS Candidate Guide weights Planning and Evaluation at 25% and Professional Growth and Responsibility at 19%, followed by Prevention Education and Service Delivery (15%), Communication (15%), Community Organization (15%), and Public Policy and Environmental Change (11%). The 2022 job analysis raised the weight of Professional Growth and Responsibility.
How long should I study for the IC&RC PS exam?
Most candidates report 100-150 hours of study over 2-4 months. Prioritize the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), IOM continuum of prevention, CSAP risk/protective factors, evidence-based programs (LifeSkills, Strengthening Families), the IC&RC Code of Ethics, and environmental strategies. Practice exams that mirror the six-domain blueprint are the highest-yield study tool.
Is the IC&RC PS the same as the state CPS or ACPS credential?
Yes — most state boards brand the IC&RC Prevention Specialist credential locally (CPS in many states, ACPS for advanced/master's-level practitioners). The underlying exam is the same IC&RC PS examination, which guarantees reciprocity across all IC&RC member jurisdictions in the US and internationally.
What evidence-based prevention programs should I know for the PS exam?
High-yield evidence-based programs include LifeSkills Training (Botvin), Project ALERT, Strengthening Families Program 10-14, Good Behavior Game, Positive Action, Project Northland, Communities That Care, and Too Good for Drugs. Know the IOM continuum tier (universal, selective, indicated), target age group, and outcome evidence for each.
Does the PS exam test ethics and confidentiality rules?
Yes — Professional Growth and Responsibility (19%) covers the IC&RC Code of Ethics for prevention specialists, dual relationships, scope of practice (prevention is not treatment), confidentiality (FERPA in schools, 42 CFR Part 2 if data flows to treatment programs), cultural humility, mandatory reporting of child abuse, and stigma-reducing person-first language.