FAQ’s for Endorsement Process

(Note: New additions to the FAQs are highlighted in yellow)

Why should I pursue Endorsement as a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Professional?

By pursuing Endorsement as a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Professional, you will be contributing to assuring the fidelity of PBS practices and the quality of PBS services. An Endorsement Certificate recognizes those professionals with qualifying experience and a commitment to PBS principles and practices. The PBS Endorsement achievement will demonstrate to consumers and others that you are well-qualified to provide PBS services. You will receive an elegant Endorsement Certificate and will be listed on the PBS Endorsement Registry which may provide new opportunities for providing services.

PBS Endorsement provides the following benefits to consumers, practitioners, service providers, and service systems.

RECOGNITION OF
ACHIEVEMENTS
By pursuing Endorsement as a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Professional, you will be contributing to assuring the fidelity of PBS practices and the quality of PBS services.
An Endorsement Certificate recognizes those professionals with qualifying experience and a commitment to PBS principles and practices. / REGISTRY OF QUALIFIED
PBS PRACTITIONERS
Endorsed PBS Professionals will be listed on the PBS Endorsement Registry on our website which may provide new opportunities for providing services.
The PBS Endorsement achievement will demonstrate to consumers and others that you are well-qualified to provide PBS services
QUALITY PBS SERVICE &
QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES
PBS Endorsement:
Can be obtained across fields to complement other credentials and enhance professional qualifications
Promotes a focus on meaningful outcomes and quality of life improvements for individuals who receive services
Provides consumers with the opportunity to select individuals with extensive knowledge to provide validated high quality services.
Increases the fidelity of PBS services and supports consistency in the quality of services by adhering to the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) standards of practice / BUILDS CAPACITIES
ACROSS DISCIPLINES
PBS Endorsement:
Builds capacities of skilled professionals and strengthens quality service delivery across service systems
Establishes a pool of qualified mentors and provides mentoring opportunities from PBS endorsed professionals
Develops a community of committed practitioners who share resources, ideas, support and enhance the quality of service provision
Generates quality training opportunities in Positive Behavior Support
Provides organizations and agencies avenues for internal training and mentoring

Where will the Endorsed PBS Professionals Registry be located?

The Registry will be located on the WVAPBS Network new website the near future. Once an individual obtains Endorsement as a PBS Professional, their name and contact information will be added to the Registry. The Registry has been established to serve as a resource to help connect those seeking Positive Behavior Support services with qualified professionals.

What is the fee for Endorsement?

While we want the quality of PBS practice in WV to be optimal, we did not want to burden professionals with hefty fees.

  • For the Expedited Endorsement, there is NO fee – however,a commitment toproviding a year of mentoring is required.
  • For the Standard Endorsement, the application fee is a very reasonable fee of $75.

Where can I find the Application for Endorsement and further information?

  • All forms and information related to Endorsement will be made available on the new WVAPBS Networkwebsite at

How long is the Endorsement period?

Both the Expedited and Standard Endorsements are valid for the initial endorsement periodin which applicants apply. The initial endorsement period will be valid throughJune 30, 2018.

Prior to the end of that initial period, Renewal can be obtained. Renewals are valid for a two year cycle. Endorsed professionals are responsible for maintaining their endorsement status by obtaining renewal every two years thereafter.

What is required for Renewal?

The Renewal process is designed to be streamlined and requires only documentation of:

  • At least 3 credit hours (CEU or class) in professional ethics in a human service field within the past two years and a signed commitment to the PBS ethical standards
  • At least 12 hours of professional development or service within the past two years (PBS related training, WVAPBS or APBS conference attendance, WVAPBS network committee involvement, mentoring, research, or articlesor service to the field)

Please Note: Must have hours in at least two of these areas unless a year of Mentoring was provided

The Renewal fee is$50 and covers a two year period. Any formal complaints to the Endorsement Board about an applicant for renewal will be considered in the Renewal process.

Will professionals who have been practicing PBS for a long time be grandfathered in?

The Endorsement process incorporates the APBS standards and provides for an Expedited Endorsement and a Standard Endorsement. While there is no “grandfathering” provision per se, those experienced professionals can obtain Endorsement through an Expedited Endorsement process. The process is designed to encourage fidelity in optimal professional practice and is not intended to be exclusionary. The criteria are identified in the application process so that anyone with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a human service field from an accredited university may purse endorsement by obtaining the necessary training, experience and documentation.

Why is a mentoring component included?

We want to encourage those professionals with skills to promote quality PBS practices by giving back to the field through mentoring. There is NO FEE for the Expedited Endorsement process but a commitment to mentoringanother PBS practitioner for one year is required. For those applying for the Standard Endorsement, a year of experience with a mentor/supervisor is required to assure quality in practice. For either Endorsement, a year of mentoring documented through the Mentoring Verification Form will satisfy the Professional Development requirements for Renewal.

Where can I find more information on mentoring?

Please check the new WVAPS Network,at wvapbs.com. Helpful tools can be found there including Mentoring Supervision Guidelines, Mentoring Feedback Forms, Mentoring Contract Sample, and Mentoring PBS Plan Evaluation. The required Mentoring Verification Form, included in the Standard Endorsement Application, is also available. In addition, the Endorsed PBS Professionals Registry will be a resource for identifying qualified mentors.

What do I need to do to apply?

The forms for the Expedited Endorsement and the Standard Endorsement can be downloaded online at the new WVAPBS Network website at wvapbs.com/. It is recommended that you download and print the information ASAP and review it to help get started in securing any additional mentoring or training that may be needed. Endorsement consists of just two parts at the present time:

1) Application and supporting documentation

2) Interview by the Endorsement Board

Applicants must pass both parts of the process for Endorsement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field from an accredited university and an interest in Positive Behavior Support may begin to pursue Endorsement by obtaining the training, mentoring, and experience needed.

  • For Expedited Endorsement, a minimum of 5 years of experience and approved training is needed.
  • For Standard Endorsement, a minimum of 3 years of experience, one year of mentored experience, and approved training is needed. (Note: An applicant with approved training and three years of experience, one of which was documented mentored experience, is qualified to apply)

When applying, the applicant will need to submit the specific documentation required which is outlined in the application itself. This includes a complete Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and PBS plan, a commitment to Ethics and a liability statement. Once the Board approves the application, an Interview will be scheduled. If additional information or documentation is needed, it will be requested at the discretion of the Endorsement Board. If the standards for Endorsement are not met, the candidate may reapply after six months.

Is there any recognition for those candidates who have another license or certification such as BCBA, Psychology, SW License, LPC or Special Ed Certification?

Yes, for those with a license or certification in the above fields, the documentation requirement of Theory, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (TKSA) is greatly reduced as it is recognized that many of these skills were required in obtaining the license or certification. Please see the chart below:

PBS ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Related to Theory, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (TKSA)
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIREMENTS / PBS EXAM
BA or BS
in human service field / All TKSA’s Required (A through G) / All are Exempted from Exam at present time
Comprehensive PBS exam for new candidates may be require at some point in the future
BCaBA / All TKSA’s Required (A through G)
MA, MS or Doctorate
in human service field / All TKSA’s Required (A through G)
MA, MS or Doctorate AND
License or Certification in Psychology, LPC, Social Work or SpEd / TKSA’s F & G Waived
Only TKSA’s A-E Required
MA, MS or Doctorate in
Behavior Analysis / All TKSA’s Waived
Only Overview of PBS Required
BCBA or BCBA-D / All TKSA’s Waived
Only Overview of PBS Required

What PBS trainings are currently recognized for PBS Endorsement?

  • Completed or taught a complete four day standardized PBS workshop training through an accredited university prior to 2015
  • Completed or taught a standardized PBS curriculum for 3 hours of professional development credit through an accredited university which included coaching
  • Completed or taught equivalent individual PBS training approved by other state PBS networks or endorsement boards
  • Completed or taught the WV Early Childhood Pyramid Model (PBS) Curricula
  • Completed the Kansas PBIS Modules with 15 hours face to face training and a mentoring component through an accredited university
  • Completed a graduate level course in individual PBS that follows APBS standards from an accredited university
  • Received a University of South Florida (USF) Graduate Certificate in PBS
  • Received a Certificate of Completion of an Approved (Waiver) PBS Curriculum by qualified instructor with mentoring component
  • Completed other training that meets APBS standards and is recognized by the WVAPBS Endorsement Board

When will the Endorsement Board begin taking applications for endorsement?

The Board has established the following expected roll out dates to begin accepting applications by mail. Portfolios may be mailed to: WVAPBS, PBS Endorsement Board, P.O. Box 490, Milton, WV 25541.

  • Applications for Expedited Endorsement may be submitted beginning July 1, 2015.
  • Applications for Standard Endorsement may be submitted beginning January 1, 2016.

However, it is recommended that individuals interested in seeking Endorsement begin now by downloading the application and gathering documentation for their portfolio. WVAPBS Network members may be invited to apply at the June annual meeting in advance of the scheduled dates.

Why are the applications so lengthy and can applications be submitted electronically?

The applications are designed with prompts for the needed documentation and all forms included. For that reason, there is some redundancy and they are lengthy. However, it helps assure that your application is accepted for review. As the process moves forward, we hope to be able to streamline the process. Currently, the Board is accepting applications by mail. However, the Board plans to establish a streamlined electronic submission process in the future.

Is there an advantage to applying for Endorsement in the near future versus waiting?

As with most disciplines, the requirements may become more stringent over time. It is anticipated that there will be a comprehensive test at some point in the future. Those who obtained endorsement now will avoid the necessity of taking the comprehensive exam or more stringent entry requirements in the future. In addition, the option of the Expedited Endorsement process may be discontinued at some point in the future. The cost of PBS Endorsementat this point in timeis minimal and is a significant investment in your future thatwill enhance your professional standing in the field.

How did this Endorsement process come about?

The West Virginia Association for Positive Behavior Support (WVAPBS) Network is a nonprofit organization committed to collaborating statewide to promote the philosophy, core values and evidence-based practices of positive behavior support. Members represent a wide variety of systems and interests, promoting PBS within their area of expertise. The WVAPBS Network evolved from the PBS state training team created in 1991 and, in 2003, WVABPS became the first state network recognized by the international Association of Positive Behavior Support. The full membership meets semi-annually and the leadership team meets monthly. A key goal of the WVAPBS Network is fidelity of PBS services. Over the past years, the WVAPBS Network has been highly regarded as a leader in this area and has worked with both provider and state agencies to promote quality Positive Behavior Support services in the state based on the standards of practice developed by the international APBS. In collaboration with Virginia’s state PBS network and PBS endorsement process, WVABPS has established a similar PBS Endorsement process in West Virginia to promote effective standards of practice. The WVAPBS Endorsement Board is a subcommittee of the WVAPBS Network and consists of Endorsed PBS Professionals who are recognized by WVAPBS Network colleagues for their commitment and experience and who volunteer their service to the endorsement process.

What are the qualifications of those reviewing my application for Endorsement?

All reviewers will be WVAPBS Network members and Endorsed PBS Professionals. Applications for Endorsement will be thoroughly reviewed by a team ofrandomly assigned Endorsed PBS Professionals serving on the Endorsement Review Committee.

How long can I expect the review process to take?

It is expected that the Endorsement Board will require a minimum of six weeks to review a portfolio and make a determination and notify the candidate. If the portfolio passes, an interview will be scheduled at specified interview dates to be established by the Board.

What type of experience is considered in meeting the PBS experience requirement?

PBS experience includes providing PBS services or training and may include person centered planning, writing and implementing PBS plans, supervision of PBS services, and related activities. The Review Board will evaluate PBS experience on a case by case basis.

What are some tips to consider in submitting an Application for Endorsement?

  • Please be sure to clearly identifyspecifically where the specified items can be located on the FBA and PBS Applicant Scoring Checklists. It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify the correct location.
  • Review PBS plans prior to submission for details regarding data collection and timelines regarding reviews.
  • Please be sure to submit single sided pages to assure timely processing as double sided pages are not easily scanned. We hope to save trees in the future by developing an electronic submission process. In the meantime, single sided pages only please.
  • Please be sure ALL required documents are submitted.

Who can we contact with questions about applying for PBS Endorsement?

It is our intention that the FAQs provide answers about the Endorsement process. If there is a question that you would like to see included, if you have comments or suggestions about forms or for other questions related to the WVAPBS Network, you may submit an email for consideration to . Please note that while we would like to be helpful, we do not have administrative staff to respond to individual questions at the present time.

For specific questions about the application process, FIRST, please read through the FAQs. You will find the answers to most questions in the FAQs and these will be updated as common questions occur. However, if you still need assistance, the following WVAPBS Network members have agreed to help applicants with questions about PBS Endorsement. Occasionally, a question may arise that requires further consideration and these will be taken to a committee for discussion and clarification. (Please note that questions about Title XIX Waiver services should be directed to that program rather than to Network Advisors.)

NETWORK ADVISORS:

  • Title XIX Waiver Providers: Liz r Chris
  • Early Childhood: Mel Woodcock or Jennifer McFarland
  • BCBAs: Sarah Kunkel or Jennifer McFarland
  • Education & Higher Ed (ATC, CED, DOE, Other) – Gloria Sage
  • Consumers & Others: Charlotte Hays