TEXAS CERTIFIED PREVENTION SPECIALIST (CPS) AND ASSOCIATE PREVENTION SPECIALIST (APS) – 120 HOURS
CEU Matrix’s 120-hour Texas Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) and Associate Prevention Specialist (APS) online package is approved by the Texas Certification Board (TCB) and fulfills all education requirements for the CPS and APS credentials. Every required content area and topic — including Planning and Evaluation, Prevention Education and Service Delivery, Community Organization, Public Policy and Environmental Change, and Professional Growth and Responsibility — is covered in this 120-hour package for CPS and APS certification.
- Credit Hours: 120
- Price: $600
- State Board Approved
- Affordable & On-Demand
- Instant Certificates Upon Completion
Package Information
Texas CPS Certification Requirements and Course Package
This course package offers substantial savings versus purchasing the courses individually. Courses are taken at your convenience, there is no time limit, and everything is done online. If you have any other questions please call John Tinsley at (512) 843-0866.
What This Package Covers
Texas requires 120 hours of prevention education for both the Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) and Associate Prevention Specialist (APS) credentials. This CEU Matrix 120-hour package provides full coverage of the education requirement for both the CPS and APS.
Education includes at least 90 hours of prevention-specific training, 24 hours of alcohol and other drug (ATOD) topics, and 6 hours of prevention-specific ethics, distributed across 6 prevention domains:
- Planning and Evaluation
- Prevention Education and Service Delivery
- Communication
- Community Organization
- Public Policy and Environmental Change
- Professional Growth and Responsibility
Please see the “Package Contents” section below for the complete list of courses included in this package.
Certification Requirements
- Education Required: HS diploma or GED minimum. No degree requirement for either CPS or APS.
- Work Experience: CPS: 2,000 hours of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention work experience.
APS: 3,000 hours of substance misuse prevention work experience. - Supervised Hours: CPS: 120-hour practicum (minimum 10 hours in each of the 6 prevention domains).
APS: 120-hour practicum (minimum 10 hours in each of the 6 prevention domains), plus supervisor competency evaluation. - State Exam: CPS: Passing score on the IC&RC Prevention Specialist exam. APS: No exam required.
Important Notes
CPS is an IC&RC reciprocal credential allowing independent practice. APS is NOT IC&RC reciprocal and is a designation for individuals pursuing competency in prevention or with sustained employment in the field.
Renewal Requirements
40 CE hours every 2 years across the 6 prevention domains, including 3 hours of prevention-specific ethics:
- Planning and Evaluation
- Prevention Education and Service Delivery
- Communication
- Community Organization
- Public Policy and Environmental Change
- Professional Growth and Responsibility
Package Contents
Prevention Domains – 90 hours
I. Planning and Education
Computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse – 4 hours
Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs – 3 hours
Screening and Assessment of Clients in the Criminal Justice System – 6 hours
The Clinical Evaluation: Professional Competencies and Elements to Consider for Using DSM-5 – 4 hours
Treatment Planning: Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index – 3 hours
II. Education and Service Delivery
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People With Co-Occurring Disorders, Module 2 (Revised 2025) – 6 hours
Substance Use Disorders Recovery with a Focus on Employment and Education – 3 hours
An Introduction to Treatment Medications, What Every Counselor Should Know – 4 hours
Drug and Alcohol Dependence: The Problem, The Solution, and Co-occurring Disorders – 3 hours
III. Communication
Relapse Prevention Counseling – 4 hours
Simple Communication for Complicated People – 6 hours
Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment – 6 hours
IV. Community Organization
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction, Modules 1, 2, 3 – 11 hours
HIV Other Blood-Borne Infections in Drug Users – 6 hours
V. Public Policy and Environmental Change
Cluckers, Clockers, Cookers: An Introduction to Drug Control Policy for Substance Abuse Counselors – 3 hours
Drug Treatment Courts: An Integrated Approach – 3 hours
Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records Regulation and the HIPAA Privacy Rule – 2 hours
VI. Professional Growth and Responsibility
Compassion Satisfaction: Thriving While Working in Substance Abuse, Criminal Justice, and Other Challenging Settings – 3 hours
Overcoming COVID Stress for Addictions and Other Helping Professionals – 1 hour
Personal Wellness for Substance Abuse Counselors – 3 hours
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice, Modules 1 and 2 – 6 hours
Ethics – 6 hours
Ethics, Boundaries and Dual Relationships: Professional Issues for Addiction Professionals – 3 hours
Ethical Practice with Special Populations – 3 hours
AOD Specific – 24 hours
Counseling for Marijuana Dependence- A Manual for Treating Adults – 6 hours
Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction using Buprenorphine – 6 hours
Group Treatments for Addiction – 6 hours
Addressing Opioid Use Disorder in General Medical Settings – 3 hours
Mind Over Matter: The Brain’s Response to Drugs – 3 hours
Package FAQs
How do I find Texas-approved courses on CEU Matrix?
Click “Course Listing” at the top of our homepage, select Texas from the map, then choose your credential level or “All Available Courses.” All courses shown are HHSC-approved for Texas counselors renewing their LCDC certification and for initial and recertification of Alcohol and Drug counselors.
When will my courses be available and how do I access them?
Courses are available immediately with credit card payment in your Student Center under “My Courses.” For renewal packages, you’ll receive credits to select individual courses.
How does Texas's degree-based continuing education system affect CEU Matrix users?
Texas has unique CE requirements based on education level: LCDCs with master’s degrees need only 24 hours every 2 years, while those without advanced degrees need 40 hours. CEU Matrix packages are designed to match these specific requirements, so you only pay for the hours you actually need based on your degree status.
What are the differences between Texas's main credential levels?
Numerous online counseling certifications are available in Texas for individuals of all educational levels. The Texas Certification Board (TCB) offers the following credentials: Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC); Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC); Certified Chemical Dependency Specialist (CCDS); and Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP). Additionally, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) credentials Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC) and Texas Counselor Interns (CI). CEU Matrix is approved education provider number 1758-07 for TCB initial and recertification.
Which CEU Matrix packages work best for Texas credentials?
We’ve designed specific packages for Texas requirements:
- Initial ADC Package: Covers the 300 hours of education required, with clear identification of substance-specific vs. general counseling hours
- Initial CCJP Package: Covers the 60-270 hours (depending on education level) required
- ADC/AADC/CCJP/LCDC Renewal Package (40/24 hours)
What's the best value for Texas continuing education courses?
We offer several money-saving options:
- Value Package (10 hours for $99, saves $31)
- 40 Hour Renewal Package ($240, saves $280)
- 24 Hour LCDC Package ($150, saves $110)
Plus, we offer specialized credential packages with significant savings for initial certification requirements.
How do I track my progress toward Texas requirements using CEU Matrix?
Your CEU Matrix Student Center automatically tracks your completed hours and shows exactly which Texas requirements you’ve fulfilled. You can see your progress and easily identify which continuing education categories you still need for renewal based on your degree level.
Can I retake CEU Matrix exams if I don't pass the first time?
Yes, you can retake any CEU Matrix exam multiple times at no additional cost. Exams are scored immediately online, and you can print your certificate of completion as soon as you pass.
Do I need to complete all my CEU Matrix courses at once?
No, there’s no time limit on CEU Matrix courses. The system tracks your credits automatically, so you can work at your own pace 24/7 from anywhere with internet access while meeting Texas’s requirements.
Where do I find my CEU Matrix certificates for Texas credential applications?
Your CEU Matrix Student Center under “My Courses” has all certificates for immediate download/printing. These certificates are specifically formatted for Texas HHSC applications and include all required information for your credential submissions.
Approved and Widely Recognized
CEU Matrix is approved by the following national and state accreditation boards:
CEU Matrix is approved with the following state boards:
Arkansas (ASACB), California (CCAPP #OS-07-394-0222), California (CADTP #250), Connecticut (#0115-5202), Delaware (DCB #37), Florida (FCB #5141-A), Georgia (ADACBGA #2026-4-003), Illinois (IAODAPCA #19345), Kentucky, Louisiana (LA ADRA #E026), Michigan (MCBAP), Missouri (Missouri CB #183), New Mexico (NMCBBHP #2046), North Carolina (NCSAPPB), Ohio (OCDP #50-19236), Oklahoma (OBLADS #20260153), Texas (TCB #1758-07)
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