Steps to becoming a Certified Crisis Intervener, CCI

Qualifications & Application Procedures

The CCI certification includes and initially requires three levels of training:

Level I - (CI-I) Basic (30hrs + exam)
A person with a Bachelor’s degree or five years of relevant and related experience begins with the Basic Course, and must pass the examination for CI-I.

Level II - (CI-II) Intermediate (30hrs + exam)
Must pass Level I, attend the Intermediate Course, and pass the examination for CI-II.

Level III - (CI-III) Advanced (30hrs + exam)
Must pass Level II , attend the Advanced Course, and pass the examination for CI-III.

By Examination
To test out of CI Level I by taking the examination only, you must submit a portfolio to the Director of Certification (Only up to level I) and fill out the proctor exam request form. Those who test out of Level I will be allowed to register for and to attend the next level of training. The registration fee is applicable.

The Level I Exam will be mailed to your proctor’s address in approximately 3-4 weeks, if you are not taking the exam at a regional or national meeting of APA. A request for proctor must be initiated with APA/ABECI to accomplish this. Appropriate proctors are colleges, universities, public libraries and/or testing centers.

The portfolio must include:

• Photocopies of your vita.
• Photocopies of your degrees, diplomas, certificates and/or licenses. Three professional references (please include name, address and phone numbers).
• Published articles, papers or books in the field of Crisis Intervention
• Other material relevant to the field of Crisis Intervention and Management.
• Certificates of completed training in Crisis Intervention that are being submitted to test out of Level I. Each certificate must be accompanied by the course syllabus, names and contact information for the course instructors, qualifications and training of the course instructors, and the results of any examinations taken in the course. Certificates without this information will not be considered.

Fill out the Application Form and submit the required fees:
For current members of the American Psychotherapy Association, the total amount due at application is:

• $499 for each level (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) that is taken.

For nonmembers, the total amount due at application is

• $629 for Level I (CI-I) Basic (includes required first year dues in the American Psychotherapy Association) & $499 for each additional level.
• Fee for the final examination certifying individuals as a Certified Crisis Intervener: $200.

Mail to: American Psychotherapy Association 2750 E. Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804

Fax: (417) 823-9959

Prerequisites for Eligibility

• Appropriate credentials for your profession, current and unrestricted with no history of revocation or suspension.
• No record of disciplinary action for any ethical, criminal or other offense by any disciplinary body or court of law within the past five years.
• Compliance with all applicable local ordinances, state laws and federal regulations for your profession.
• Not currently under investigation by any law enforcement agency, licensing board, professional association or other entity.
• If you are convicted of a felony offense after you receive your CCI credential, you will be revoked as a Certified Crisis Intervener, CCI.
• No felonies or convictions in the last 10 years.
• Must be a member in good standing of APA.

Examination Information

Each examination, other than the CCI certification exam (see page 11), lasts no more than four hours and consists of 50 multiple-choice test items. The exam may include recall, interpretation and problem-solving types of questions. State-of-the-art psychometric procedures are employed for scoring and determination of the minimum passing level. Scores are based upon the total number of items answered correctly. Seventy percent is the minimum passing score for all examinations.

The American Psychotherapy Association and the American Board of Examiners in Crisis Intervention recommend that applicants prepare adequately for the examinations through readings, training and experience.

All requests for examination cancellations must be made to APA Headquarters in writing by fax or mail. Phone cancellations are not accepted. Cancellations will be approved only for a family death, serious illness, court conflict or other exceptional circumstance. All cancelled examinations will be assessed a $50 administration fee. The testing fee, minus the administrative fee, will be credited to your APA account.

What is Required after Certification?
Each Certified Crisis Intervener, CCI is required to complete 15 hours of annual crisis intervention-related continuing education credits from the American Psychotherapy Association regional/national meetings, or through journal learning or at an equivalent organizations’ educational meetings. Exceptions for the CE requirement will be granted only for a family death, serious illness, court conflict or other exceptional circumstance. Exceptions are granted for one year only. Annually, a record of the continuing education credits granted will be sent to the American Psychotherapy Association for inclusion in your file.

You must maintain your membership in good standing with APA to continue to use the designation of CCI. CCI indicates your certification as a Certified Crisis Intervener. You are encouraged to use the CCI designation to indicate your certification. (The designation my be displayed in the following ways:

John Doe, CCI

John Doe
Certified Crisis Intervener

Prior to final certification as a CCI, those who have passed the exam at each level (I, II and III) may use the designation “CI” with indication of the level passed. (CI-I, CI-II, CI-III). The CCI designation cannot be used until the candidate successfully passes the CCI Certification Examination.

*Those who do not pass the examination(s) may contact APA Headquarters at 800-205-9165 for retake options.