Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) Core Training

About the TTS Training

Since our first training held in 1999, the Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) Core Training has been the cornerstone of the educational activities in the Center.  The training is for people who deliver moderate to intensive tobacco treatment services within a health care or community setting. The curriculum addresses a set of core competencies for tobacco treatment specialists. The core competencies were first defined by the Massachusetts Certification Steering Committee in 1998. Later, they were further defined by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD).

Successful completion of this training qualifies as training requirement to apply for the National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice. 

The TTS Core training includes two components, Part 1 (online) and Part 2 (in-person or virtual).

TTS Core Training Part 1 – This is a 10 hour online training that must be completed before attending the live 3 day Part 2 training. Part 1 covers the determinants of tobacco use disorder, including biological, psychological, and social aspects; physical and behavioral health impact of tobacco use; and best practices for systems to support treatment of tobacco use disorder.

TTS Core Training Part 2 - This is an intensive 3-day, in-person or virtual, evidence-based training program. This part will cover pharmacotherapy; counseling skills; cognitive and behavioral strategies to assist tobacco users in quitting; and intake, assessment, and treatment planning.

Scholarships may be available for individuals working with certain at-risk populations in Massachusetts. Please contact us at cttrt@umassmed.edu for more information.

Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program Accreditation. University of Massachusetts Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) Training Program is accredited by Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs (CTTTP). The Umass TTS training program provides equal opportunity and access to all applicants. Regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability and veteran's status. The University of Massachusetts adheres strictly to all applicable state and federal regulations relating to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

Dates of the next TTS Core Training

1. March 18 - 20, 2025. This training will be offered virtually via zoom. To register, click on the 'register now' button below. Registration deadline is February 25, 2025 or until the class maximum is reached.
   
   
2. June 24 - 26, 2025. This training will be offered virtually via zoom. Registration information to be posted at a later date.
   
   
3. October 7 - 9, 2025. This training will be offered virtually via zoom. Registration information to be posted at a later date.

Cost

$1300/person

Register Now

Scholarships may be available for individuals working with certain at-risk populations in Massachusetts. Please contact us at cttrt@umassmed.edu for more information.

More TTS Training Information

1. Goals and Objectives
2. TTS Core Competencies

Policy for Reviewing Complaints and Disputes

1. All complaints and disputes regarding registration, eligibility for participation, attendance and completion status, and the TTS exam grading must be submitted to the Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training (CTTRT) within 60 days before or after the training date. Information must be sent by emailing CTTRT at cttrt@umassmed.edu.
1. Complaints and disputes will be reviewed by the CTTRT Training Program Manager and one of the CTTRT Co-Directors.
2. A decision will be made within 30 days of lodging the complaint.

 

2. All disputes regarding the awarding of Continuing Education units (CEs) must be submitted to the Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training (CTTRT) within 60 days after the training date. A decision will be made within 30 days of lodging the complaint.
1. UMass Chan Medical School CTTRT does not offer or guarantee CEs for all disciplines.
2. The certifying agency has final determination over whether CEs are awarded.

 

Privacy and Confidentiality Statement

Participant demographic information, including name and email address, will not be shared with outside organizations unless said individual is funded to attend by their organization/workplace. In this case we may release attendance and course completion status to the organization. All grades and demographic information is kept on UMass Chan Medical School’s secure Blackboard learning platform.