Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification

Recognizing a need for further training to those providing treatment for tobacco dependence, the Education program offers a certification training program for Tobacco Treatment Specialists. Its overarching goal is to aid health-care professionals in becoming competent in the provision of treatment for people who are dependent on tobacco and formally recognize that competence. Although a national certification organization for TTS does not yet exist, there is a clear demand by professionals in the field for recognition of their expertise in treating tobacco use and dependence. The NDC has worked closely with the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD) and others to establish standards for core competencies, training, and certification of tobacco treatment providers. The NDC Training Program and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification have been developed based upon these proposed standards.

What is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist?

As put forth in ATTUD's statement, a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS): "…is a professional who possesses the skills, knowledge and training to provide effective, evidence-based interventions for tobacco dependence across a range of intensities. The TTS may have various professional affiliations and may work in a variety of settings including but not limited to hospitals, community health centers, HMOs, medical and dental practices, educational settings, social service agencies, tobacco treatment centers, telephone quitlines, drug abuse treatment programs and mental health centers. The TTS may engage not only in providing treatment but also in educating others (health care professionals, administrators, scientists, smokers, nonsmokers) about tobacco dependence treatments."

Course Description

The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Training Program is an intensive, five-day course focusing on the skills needed to effectively treat tobacco dependence. Faculty will be Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center physicians, psychologists, counseling and education staff, and other Mayo Clinic faculty. A partial list of topics includes: neuropharmacology of nicotine, optimization of pharmacologic management, conducting a basic counseling session, motivational interviewing and other counseling approaches, and application of treatment of tobacco dependence to people with co-morbid conditions. The last half-day of the program will consist of an examination which tests both knowledge and counseling skills. This training program is designed for health-care professionals already providing tobacco dependence treatment and for those with a strong interest in entering the field. Registration is limited in order to facilitate learning and maximize interaction with the experienced faculty.

Cancellation Policy

Your registration fee, less a $100 administrative fee, will be refunded when written notification is received by Mayo Clinic NDC Education Program two weeks prior to the start of the course. You may fax written notification to 507-255-0652. No refunds will be made after these dates.

Future Training

Program courses will be offered on the following dates in Rochester, Minn. (specific locations to be determined) Apply early. Courses fill quickly:

Course Prerequisites

• Education: Bachelor's degree or within two academic years of completing a bachelor's degree.
• Tobacco use status: Concurrent use of tobacco while treating others for tobacco dependence is detrimental to the person receiving treatment. We strongly recommend that all active tobacco users seek treatment and achieve stable tobacco abstinence from tobacco before treating others. Therefore, we require that anyone applying for TTS certification be tobacco-free for a minimum of six months.

Certification Requirements

Candidate may apply for, and be granted, a TTS certificate if the candidate:

• Completes the 5-day TTS Training Program.
• Holds a Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Meets expected behavioral competencies and demonstrates appropriate skills by achieving a passing score of 80 percent on both the knowledge-based and skills-based examinations.
• Completes 480 service hours focused on tobacco dependence treatment as part of direct patient/client care, OR
• For those with a graduate degree or higher, completes 240 service hours focused on tobacco dependence treatment as part of direct patient/client care.
• Should the applicant fail the certification examination, application to retake the certification exam (without repetition of the course) and registration fee will be accepted after a six-month interval.

A TTS certificate will be valid for two years. At that point, and every two years thereafter, renewal of your certificate is required. Please see the section titled "Certification Renewal".

Provisional Certification Requirements

Candidate may apply for, and be granted, a provisional TTS certificate if the candidate:

• Completes the training program, and passes the knowledge-based and skill-based examinations.

A provisional TTS certificate will be valid for only two years after issue. Provisional certificates allow an opportunity for those in training or pursuing a degree to obtain the necessary requirements for permanent certification. Individuals who do not complete the required course work and/or required service hours within two years will be required to repeat the entire certification process.

Certification Renewal

• Renewal of the Certification will require documentation of 24 Continuing Education Hours/Continuing Medical Education credits granted by an accredited organization (75% must be specific to treatment of tobacco use and dependence) over those two years. Payment of the $30 renewal administrative fee must accompany the request for renewal. (NOTE: Attendance at future Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Conferences may be applied to fulfill the continuing education requirements.)

We now have a DVD available for purchase that can also be used for continuing education credits. Click on the link below:

• "A Comprehensive Review for the Treatment of Smokeless Tobacco Use and Dependence on DVD."

Application Process

Submit application to the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center along with the following materials:

• TTS certification course application
• Official academic transcript(s) sent directly from academic institution(s)
• Service Hours Form completed by your Supervisor(s)
• Registration fee paid in full via check or money order, to the order of Mayo Foundation

Application Materials

Application materials are available on our website, http://ndc.mayo.edu, or you can call or email: Susan M. Bennett
(507) 266-0851 OR (800) 344-5984
bennett.susan@mayo.edu

Please return application materials to:
Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Education Program
Colonial Building 3-10
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

Payment of registration money must be received before the applicant will be enrolled in the course. Upon taking the course and passing the exams, all required application materials must be received before the applicant will be awarded his/her certificate. Early registration is encouraged, as enrollment is limited to qualified participants. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure all required materials are submitted on time. The applicant will receive an email confirmation once their application file is complete. Applicants will be notified of their enrollment status within two weeks following receipt of completed application including required forms and fees.