Certification

ATSS membership provides many benefits and one of these is the certification that a member can obtain, recognizing the training and/or experience that has been obtained through work or volunteer experiences and/or schooling. Certification gives a member a designation that acknowledges these hours and is recognized worldwide in the trauma field.

ATSS offers three different certifications which recognize the different roles in the trauma field.

The Certified Trauma Responder is a designation created for those who provide immediate trauma intervention through critical incident stress debriefing/management, peer counseling, and trauma response.

The Certified Trauma Services Specialist is a designation for those who provide immediate trauma intervention, crisis support, advocacy, or victim assistance.

The Certified Trauma Specialist is a designation for counselors, clinicians, and treatment specialists who provide individual, group, and/or family counseling, therapy, or support for trauma survivors either as a specialty or within their practice/clinic.

These certifications, CTR, CTSS and CTS are not hierarchical in nature but represent the different kinds of trauma work that ATSS members are engaged in.

Each of the certifications requires specific hours of training and experience to be achieved and is subject to review and approval by the Certification Board. A Sponsor is required for the initial certification and must be a certified ATSS member in good standing. The ATSS Certification Committee can assist anyone in need of finding a sponsor.

Once your application is submitted please allow 9-120 days for review and notification of your certification status.

Application Downloads

Certification Payment

Certification Fee

Initial Certification:

• CTR -$200 Senior/Student Rate -$150
• CTSS -$200 Senior/Student Rate -$150
• CTS - $250 Senior/Student Rate -$200

Recertification Fee

Recertification rate for all 3 designations is $175.

Certifications and recertifications are good for three years. Also, appropriate documentation must be provided to qualify for the senior/student discounts.