Listed below are links to websites with information on training and credentialing as a tobacco treatment specialist. Several organizations offer certification and criteria or eligibility vary.  Virginia does not provide a state certification in smoking cessation counseling or tobacco dependence treatment. (Website listings are for information only, inclusion does not constitute endorsement.)

The Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD) has developed a Tobacco Treatment Specialist "Standards of Practice" document and is actively working on facilitating the development of a national credential.

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Maine
The American Lung Association of Maine and the Center for Tobacco Independence developed a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS-C) credential that requires a minimum of a 2-year degree in a health-related field, 240 hours experience in intensive tobacco treatment within the last three years, completion of a 2-day intensive TTS training (provided in Maine by the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine), passing the TTS training exam, and submission and presentation of a case study.  For information, contact the Center for Tobacco Independence (CTI) at tobaccotrng@mmc.org or (207) 662-524: www.mainelung.org/Topics/tts-c.asp

Mississippi
The ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research and the University of Mississippi Medical Center offer a 4-Day Tobacco Treatment Specialist workshop twice a year.  It emphasizes the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills relevant to understanding the addictive nature of tobacco use, its impact on health and other factors, and key clinical activities for assessing and treating the nicotine dependent individual.  This program was designed to provide the necessary content and experiences for enrollees to achieve the Competency Standards for Tobacco Treatment Specialists, as set forth by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence.  An award of TTS Certification through the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is considered valid for 3 years. Requirements include: verification of all eligibility criteria; completion of the ACT Center TTS Workshop, passing the CTTS examination with a score of at least 70%; and, providing documentation of at least 250 hours of evidence-based treatment experience within the 3 years preceding the examination and / or following workshop attendance.  General registration fee for the training is $500.  For information, contact Sue Lane at (601) 815-1912, slane@sod.umsmed.edu: http://actcenter.umc.edu/specialist_goal.html

NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals)
NAADAC plans to discontinue offering the Tobacco Addiction Specialist credential as a "free-standing" certification.  It will become an "endorsement" instead.  This action will take place as a result of the planned merger of national certifications provided by the National Certification Commission (NCC) of NAADAC and the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).  Information on this consolidation of credentials can be found at either organizations' website or in this document:
http://naadac.org/documents/files/Credentialing2005.pdf

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