Nicotine Dependence Education Program

Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification

The Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center (NDC) Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Program is accredited by the Council on Tobacco Treatment Training Programs (CTTTS).

The Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Program welcomes people from different backgrounds and ideologies. We appreciate and embrace the cultural diversity of our participants and have trained health care professionals from more than 26 countries.

We offer external training within the U.S., as well as international training upon request. We also accommodate participants who are hearing impaired, providing sign language interpreters at our onsite training located in Rochester, Minn., upon request.

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 Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Program has been accredited by the Council on Tobacco Treatment Training Programs since 2010.

What is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist?

Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists, or CTTSs, are professionals who are trained to provide treatment for individuals seeking to stop using tobacco. Click here for a full description.

Equal opportunity in education at Mayo Clinic is a moral and legal obligation. Mayo Clinic is also committed to upholding federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran's status, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.

Course description

The Mayo Clinic 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

No refunds will be made within 14 days of the course start date.

Your registration fee, less a $100 administrative fee, will be refunded when written notification via email is received by the Mayo Clinic NDC Education Program. Your cancellation is complete after you receive an email confirmation from the NDC Education Program. You can call 507-266-1093 to check the status of your cancellation request.

Grievance procedure

The Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Program grievance procedure provides a mechanism to facilitate resolution of conflicts, problems or disagreements raised by individuals enrolled in Mayo education programs, with the exception of disciplinary actions.

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:

• Associate degree: Participants who hold a two-year associate degree and licensure/certificate in a health care profession such as a registered nurse, dental hygienist, respiratory therapist or chemical dependence counselor. Exceptions for other licensed professionals who hold an associate degree may be considered.
• Bachelor's degree: Participants with a bachelor's degree or higher in any field.
• 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.
• Has an associate degree: Participants who hold a two-year associate degree and licensure/certificate in a health care profession such as a registered nurse, dental hygienist, respiratory therapist or chemical dependence counselor. Exceptions for other licensed professionals who hold an associate degree may be considered.
• Has a bachelor's degree: Participants with a bachelor's degree or higher degree in any field.
• 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
• Completes 240 service hours focused on tobacco dependence treatment as part of direct patient/client care (for those with a graduate degree or higher).

Applicants who fail the certification examination are allowed to retest up to three times within two years following the date of the initial exam.

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 18 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) or Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits granted by an accredited organization over two years. To receive full credit towards certification, these hours must be specific to treatment of tobacco use and dependence. Fifty percent credit will be approved towards certification for courses that are not tobacco-specific.

Credit approval for continuing education hours is as follows:

Payment of the $30 renewal administrative fee must accompany your request for renewal. (Note: Attendance at future Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Conferences may be applied to fulfill the continuing education requirements.)

Distance educational offerings

Provided by the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Education Program

This is an opportunity for Tobacco Treatment Specialists and other healthcare practitioners who are interested in educational sessions via distant education. These sessions will meet the requirements for continuing education hours needed for Mayo Clinic's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification.

Course size is limited.
Continuing Education Hour: 3

Application process

• Register for Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification training online. Select date of training and click on link.
• Registration fee must be paid in full by credit card (online); or you may send a check payable to: Mayo Foundation Nicotine Education Program.
• Fax or mail in the service hours form — fillable form online (please be sure to include a brief description of your service hours experience). Print form and either send via mail or fax (507-255-0652). You must sign the form and obtain a supervisor’s signature to verify your experience.
• Request official academic transcript(s) to be sent directly to us from the academic institution where the highest academic degree was acquired. Electronic transcripts received by email will also be accepted if received directly from the academic institution. Non-English transcripts must have the name of the individual and their academic degrees translated to English before they will be accepted.

Return application materials to:

Mayo Clinic
Nicotine Education Program
Colonial Building 3-10
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

To reserve a spot for an upcoming course, the registration fee must be paid in full.

If you are planning to pay by check, you are not enrolled into the program until payment is received.

In order to receive your certificate, you must complete the training, pass the exams, and all application materials must be received. This includes the registration fee, service hours form, and official transcripts.

** Early registration is encouraged, as enrollment is limited. 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 payment is received. Upon enrollment in the course, you will be able to download all course information online. If you have questions please contact the Nicotine Education Program at 507-266-1093 or 1-800-344-5984 (toll-free).