IPS Certification Exam

IPS Certification (CIPS) is a way for experienced IPS practitioners to demonstrate their proficiency in Individual Placement and Support. Individuals who are certified in Individual Placement and Support have demonstrated knowledge about IPS.

To become certified in IPS, IPS stakeholders must meet certain work experience and education requirements, which are outlined in greater detail below. Additionally, they must pass an online certification exam. More details on exam fees and study materials can be found at the bottom of this page.

We also recommend that people wishing to be certified take the IPS Practitioner Online Course, which includes material that is covered in the exam.

If you’d like to become certified in IPS, fill out the eligibility questionnaire. Someone from the IPS Employment Center will contact you with more details.

Eligibility Questionnaire

Eligibility

Employment Specialist Requirements

  • High school diploma plus at least two years experience as an IPS specialist or an employment specialist who helps people find regular employment in local businesses OR at least two years education post high school and at least one year experience as an IPS specialist or an employment specialist.

IPS Peer Specialist Requirements

  • High school diploma plus at least three years experience as a peer specialist with a program that helps people find regular employment in local businesses OR at least two years education post high school and at least two years experience as an IPS peer specialist.

IPS Trainer Requirements

  • High school diploma plus at least two years experience as an IPS trainer OR at least two years education post high school and at least one year experience as an IPS trainer.

IPS Supervisor Requirements

  • High school diploma plus at least two years experience as an IPS supervisor who works with programs that help people find regular employment in local businesses OR at least two years education post high school and at least one year of experience as an IPS supervisor.

  • If a supervisor has never worked as an IPS specialist, she or he must have carried a small caseload as an IPS supervisor for at least one year.

Mental Health Leader Requirements

  • High school diploma plus at least two years experience overseeing IPS programs OR at least two years education post high school and at least one year experience overseeing IPS programs.

Vocational Rehabilitation Leader Requirements

  • High school diploma plus at least two years experience overseeing IPS programs OR at least two years education post high school and at least one year experience overseeing IPS programs.

The Test

If you meet the above requirements, you are eligible to take an online certification exam, which costs $100 plus registration fees. The exam is 100 questions and has a time limit of 75 minutes. In order to be certified, test takers must score 80 or higher on the exam. Accommodations are available upon request. We recommend reviewing the fidelity scale and the IPS manual as study materials.

Recertification

The IPS certification lasts three years. Certificants can be re-certified if they pay a $30 recertification fee and earn 30 continuing education units (CEUs) by attending training in the following areas: vocational rehabilitation, medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities, ethics, cultural awareness, IPS supported education and employment, benefits planning, job development, substance abuse disorders, financial literacy, shared-decision making, motivational interviewing, problem-solving therapy, techniques for working in teams and with other disciplines, and working with families.

CEUs must be completed, and payment must be submitted, prior to the date that the certification expires. Certificants are responsible for saving documentation of the training hours they complete.​ Fifteen percent of applications for re-certification will be audited each year and in those cases, certificates of training attendance must be provided.