Tobacco Treatment Training Program

Continuing education courses and prerequisite

West Virginia University School of Dentistry Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program (CTTTP) is an online, self-paced course for professionals in the fields of education, counseling, dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and social work. Participants navigate through four online learning modules consisting of recorded presentations, activities and self-tests to attain a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education credit. Successful participants earn a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) certificate to effectively assist those with tobacco use disorder/vaping cessation using evidence-based tobacco treatment interventions. Participants must have a minimum of an associate degree to enroll.

Tobacco Treatment Specialists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community health centers, medical and dental practices, educational settings, social service agencies, treatment centers, quit lines and mental health centers. In addition to providing treatment, specialists educate others about tobacco dependence treatments.

Training goals

Participants who successfully complete the WVU School of Dentistry Tobacco Treatment Training Program can:

  • Understand the science behind tobacco addiction and nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
  • Inform clients/students about the consequences of tobacco use disorder.
  • Develop effective, individualized tobacco use disorder treatment plans for all types of tobacco and nicotine use.
  • Track abstinence progress and outcome measures.
  • Educate other providers and the public across a wide range of settings.

Learn more about course outcomes.

Earn a WVU Badge

Pursue a micro-credential in treating tobacco-use addiction and be eligible for a WVU Badge.

A square gray badge features a no-tobacco use image, a blue flying WVU and the words Tobacco Treatment Specialist

A micro-credential and WVU Tobacco Treatment Badge are components to show patients, employers, students and others you have invested additional time beyond your degree to learn specific skills in tobacco cessation and treatment of tobacco and nicotine addiction.

Upon completing the required criteria, you can tout your tobacco-use treatment skills by displaying your badge on social media sites, performance evaluations and resumes. It is another element to set yourself apart from other job candidates or colleagues.

Required Criteria:

  • Full participation in the WVU School of Dentistry Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program (24-hour online, self-paced course)
  • Achievement of a minimum score of 80% on the WVU Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Examination
  • Proclamation of a tobacco-free lifestyle

Learn more about WVU Badges.

Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Renewal

Every two years, Tobacco Treatment Specialists must upload 16 hours of motivational interviewing/tobacco-related continuing education credit and provide a $25 renewal fee to maintain certification.

Step One: Create a WVU micro-credential account through the WVU Genius Portal. 

  • The WVU Genius Portal will require you to create an account before you can upload your materials demonstrating 16 hours of continued education.
  • Submitting the account creation form will generate an email containing a temporary password.

Step Two: After you have set up your account and changed your password, go to the Course Catalog, locate/select WVU Health Sciences Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program Certificate Renewal.

  • When the course card opens, select Enroll at the bottom right. Close out the course card and select the Cart in the upper left-hand corner.
  • Scroll down and select Payment Method and follow instructions to pay the $25 Tobacco Treatment Specialist renewal fee.
  • Once you have enrolled and paid, you will be redirected to the Dashboard to upload your CEU transcripts.

Step Three: Upload documents that demonstrate your 16 CEU requirements after you have registered and enrolled in the course:

  • On left-hand menu, select Document Upload.
  • Select Add New.
  • Label and select the appropriate drop-down menu document.
  • Drag and Drop or Upload from your computer the file.
  • Select Submit.

Once the 16 CE hours are verified and your certification renewal fee payment is confirmed, you will receive an email with instructions to download your renewed Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certificate.