- Application fee
- $300
- Education
- HS diploma / GED
- Experience
- 2 years / 4,000 hours
- Training
- 150 hours
- Exam
- CIP exam
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, 30 hours
A credential for professionals whose primary role is facilitating and taking part in substance use disorder interventions. As a CIP, you guide families, friends and others through an intervention process that encourages a person to enter treatment, and you support them through aftercare. A CIP is not a marketer or recruiter for a treatment facility; it is a front-line professional and part of the recovery team.
Is this certification right for me?
It's a fit if you are currently employed as an intervention professional, and planning, facilitating and following up on substance use interventions with individuals and families is at least half of your work.
Consider a different certification if you provide counseling (see Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor), you work in a peer or recovery support role (see Certified Recovery Specialist), or you support families affected by substance use rather than leading interventions (see Certified Family Recovery Specialist). Counselor, marketer, recruiter, case manager, technician, peer and recovery specialist, intake and admissions positions typically do not qualify.
Requirements
All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. A college transcript is not required. If you submit one, the school must send it directly to PCB; order it at least three weeks before you apply.
High school diploma or GED
A copy of your diploma, transcript or GED verification. Veterans may provide discharge documentation instead. A college degree from an accredited school also counts (official transcript sent directly from the school).Two years full-time or 4,000 hours part-time of intervention work experience
Providing direct substance use intervention and related services at least 50% of the time, within the last seven years. Volunteer work and time in mutual support groups do not count. If some of it was with previous employers, include a letter from each verifying your title, duties and dates. A resume is not accepted.Currently employed as an intervention professional
Include a copy of your current interventionist job description from your employer, signed and dated by you and your immediate supervisor. It must show substance use interventions as a primary function of the job. An official position description on agency letterhead is also accepted.100 hours of on-the-job supervision
Of your qualifying work, with at least 10 hours in each of the five intervention domains. Each supervisor completes and signs the supervision page of the application.150 hours of relevant education/training
Including 20 hours in intervention theory and practice, 12 in family systems, 12 in motivational interviewing, 12 in addiction, 6 in crisis intervention and 6 in behavioral health ethics. Document it with training certificates, an employer training report signed by your supervisor, or an official college transcript. There is no time limit and no limit on online education.Ten interventions in the last three years
Participation in five and facilitation of five. List each one, with the date, location and facilitator, on the intervention documentation page.Portfolio
All three mandatory categories (narrative on intervention modality, statement of professional experience, performance evaluation) and at least one optional category. See the portfolio section below.Live or work in Pennsylvania
At the time you apply.Pass the CIP examination
Taken after your application is approved. See the exam section below.
Your journey
Build your experience and training
Two years of intervention work, 100 hours of supervision, 150 hours of education and ten interventions in the last three years.
Prepare your portfolio
Write your two essays, arrange your performance evaluations to be sent directly to PCB, and choose one optional category.
Gather your documents
Signed job description, supervisor pages, intervention list, training certificates and proof of education.
Apply online or by PDF
Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax.
Review: up to 10 business days
Take the CIP exam
Once your application is approved, PCB emails you instructions to register for the exam.
You're certified
You are certified once you pass. Your certificate is mailed within 10 business days, and your certification lasts two years from the exam date.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application (includes first exam attempt) | $300 |
| Renewal | $200 |
| Paper certificate (optional) | $20 |
The portfolio
The portfolio is a collection of your personal and professional activities and achievements. Submit all three mandatory categories and at least one optional category, four in total. More than one submission in a category counts once.
Mandatory categories
- Narrative on intervention modality: an essay of at least 1,000 words on the primary modality you use, with a reference list.
- Statement of professional experience: an essay of at least 1,000 words on a success story, your areas of expertise, your strengths and opportunities for improvement, and your motivation to work in intervention.
- Performance evaluation: two or more of an agency evaluation, a statement from a supervisor or colleague, or a reference letter on letterhead from a behavioral health organization you have worked with but are not employed by. Evaluations must be from the last two years and sent directly to PCB by the person or organization.
Optional categories (choose one)
- Mentorship: three letters from mentors and/or people you have mentored.
- College courses or advanced training: coursework relevant to the CIP domains, beyond the 150 hours, from the last two years. Advanced or specialized training must total 30 hours.
- Publications, presentations and projects: three or more, such as books, newsletters, abstracts, posters, trainings you developed or led, resource guides, community programs or media appearances.
The exam
You can take the CIP exam once your application is approved. Like all PCB and IC&RC exams, it is multiple choice. The exam is based on the CIP content outline, which covers five domains: intervention competence; pre-intervention; intervention; post-intervention; and professional and ethical responsibility. Examination information
Need an accommodation for a disability or religious obligation? Request it in writing, with documentation, at least 60 days before your exam.
Keeping your certification current
The CIP renews every two years. You need 30 hours of education relevant to intervention, including 3 hours in ethics, plus the renewal fee.
Since January 1, 2026 there is no "lapsed" status: a credential is active or expired. You can recertify within the first six months after it expires; after that you must re-apply. Recertification requirements and fees
Common questions about the CIP
Does counseling or recovery support work count toward the CIP experience?
No. Only work where facilitating and participating in substance use interventions is your primary role counts. Counselor, marketer, recruiter, case manager, technician, peer and recovery specialist, intake and admissions positions typically are not approved. Volunteer work does not count.
Who can provide my CIP supervision?
PCB has no requirements for who provides supervision; it is up to your agency. Supervision can be one-on-one, observation of your skills or in a group, and can come from more than one supervisor. Give each supervisor a copy of the supervision page to complete.
How recent do my interventions need to be?
All ten interventions, five you took part in and five you facilitated, must be within the last three years. PCB may contact the facilitator to confirm your participation.
Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?
YES
Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?
YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.