About the Course

The Crisis Specialist Training and Certification Course© is designed for current and aspiring crisis specialists. The course begins with crisis theory and builds core support skills before introducing the experiences callers may bring, including suicidal thoughts, trauma, extreme states, altered realities, self‑injury, and substance use.

Participants learn practical screening and assessment strategies for suicide risk, substance use, and harm to others. These skills support sound decision‑making in crisis situations. A thorough understanding of suicide, risk assessment, and safety planning is central to the curriculum, and candidates complete the course with multiple assessment approaches and a nuanced understanding of state and static risk.

After foundational skill development, the course turns to ethical and legal considerations in crisis services. Learners examine perspectives that help reframe burnout, support autonomy, and center dignity, voice, and choice—reinforcing practices that keep the people served at the heart of crisis work.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate multiple frameworks for supporting people in crisis.
• Conduct suicide risk assessments.
• Identify core ethical responsibilities in crisis work.

Certification

Participants receive the Crisis Specialist Certification after passing the exam at the end of the training modules. A passing score requires answering at least 80% of questions correctly, and participants are given two attempts. If the exam is not passed within those two attempts, the course must be repurchased before additional attempts can be made.

Note: CE credits may be earned upon successful completion of the training portion of the certification. Participants can earn 2.5 credits.

Recertification

Recertification is required every three years. Certified specialists must complete the course and pass the exam again each cycle. AAS regularly updates the curriculum and assessment to reflect current research and best practices, ensuring the certification remains relevant and effective.

If you or your organization are recertifying yourself or staff as Crisis Specialists, please contact training@suicidology.org. Provide the name(s) of those being recertified and note whether continuing education credits are required.

Purchasing On-Demand Courses

For Individuals

Individuals can purchase this course directly through AAS On-Demand.

• You must log in using your AAS Community account credentials if you already have a member or guest account.
• If you do not have an account, you may create a Guest account, or choose to become an AAS member to receive discounted training rates.

For Organizations

Organizations should complete the Training Request Form to be invoiced for group purchases. Organizations cannot purchase directly through the AAS Training & Certification Catalog. Once payment is received:

• AAS will provide the organization with a promo code to distribute to selected employees.
• Each employee must log in using their existing AAS Community account or create a Guest account to redeem the promo code and access the course.
• Organizations have 30 days to use all issued promo codes. Extensions are not available.
• Once redeemed, learners have 365 days to complete the coursework.
• Organizations are responsible for managing and tracking promo codes and ensuring they are used before expiration.
• AAS offers a 10% bulk discount for 10 or more registrations of the same on-demand training.

Approved CE Provider

The American Association of Suicidology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AAS maintains responsibility for the program and its content.