CPI Certification: Nursing Guide
The Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) is an organization that offers professional credentials that teach the skills necessary to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. While all staff members working in healthcare settings can greatly benefit from CPI certification, nursing professionals involved in direct patient care may find this training especially valuable.
Ready to boost your crisis management know-how? CPI nursing certification equips you with the knowledge you need. This article will cover what it is, how to get it, and why it’s worth pursuing.
What Is CPI Certification? Nursing Guide to Enhanced Safety
CPI certification for nurses is a specialized credential that’s awarded to nursing professionals who complete specialized training in handling and de-escalating high-pressure situations safely, without harm to patients or healthcare workers.
There are several different training programs offered by CPI:
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI): Teaches how to recognize and respond to medium- to high-risk situations using restrictive and nonrestrictive strategies.
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention With Advanced Physical Skills: Teaches advanced problem-solving and decision-making techniques, including how to manage physical confrontations safely.
- Verbal Intervention Training (VI): Teaches verbal interventions, such as limit-setting, helping to prevent conflicts from escalating.
- Dementia Capable Care (DCC): Teaches advanced skills to care for patients with dementia, which can be especially valuable if you work in memory care facilities.
Want a snapshot of how the training looks? The course includes both theoretical and practical components. The theoretical part covers key topics in behavior management, such as:
- Crisis development model
- Communication skills
- Responding to defensive behaviors
- Safety interventions
- Disengagement techniques
- Restrictive interventions
- Decision-making
- Physical holding techniques
- Post-crisis management
In the hands-on portion, you’ll learn how to respond as a team to physical risks and use restrictive interventions when safety calls for them.
CPI Certification: Nursing 4-Step Guide
Let’s explore the key steps to start your certification journey.
1. Meet Eligibility Requirements
Your organization will let you know if you need CPI certification. Nursing professionals working in behavioral care settings are often mandated to get CPI-certified so they can safely handle crises and violent situations if they arise.
You’ll often find these professionals getting CPI certification:
- Correctional facility nurses
- Psychiatric nurses
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Mental health techs (MHTs)
- Substance abuse nurses
- Dementia care professionals
- Security personnel
2. Complete CPI Training
Wondering where to get CPI certification? Most of the time, you’ll take this training right at your workplace. CPI’s train-the-trainer framework allows organizations to turn employees into in-house CPI-certified instructors who then teach other members of the team.
If your organization doesn’t have an in-house trainer, you can check out the available training options below:
- In-person: Instructor-led training at a physical location
- Blended: A mix of online or live virtual classes along with some in-person sessions
- Live virtual: Real-time video sessions led by an instructor from anywhere in the world
- Online: Self-paced learning that you can complete on your own schedule, anytime and anywhere
The duration of the training depends on the specific course you’re taking and the needs of the organization you’re with. It can take from one to three days to cover all the material.
3. Take the CPI Exam
The training usually ends with a CPI exam where you’ll be tested on the theoretical and practical skills you learned during your training. The format can vary depending on the course and your organization, but it’s usually straightforward and based on the material covered in the sessions.
4. Maintain the Certification
Maintaining de-escalation and crisis prevention skills requires ongoing training. Each organization sets its own retraining schedule, but CPI suggests refresher courses every 6–12 months, following their guidelines for content and length.
You may also choose to add a specialty topic to your renewal training. This will tailor your program to meet the specific needs of those you serve.
CPI Certification Nursing: What’s the Cost?
You may be able to receive free CPI certification. Nursing professionals often participate in this training at no cost in their workplace. Here’s what your organization can expect to pay:
| Training type: | Fees: | Add-on fees: |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Intervention and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention | $1,949 |
|
| Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills | $2,349 | Same as above |
| Dementia Capable Care | $1,949 | No add-ons available |
You can also complete your training at the CPI yearly conference for an additional $800.
CPI Certification Nursing: FAQs
Can CPI be done online?
You can complete CPI certification for nursing online, though some programs still require an in-person component. For example, the Prevention First online course is a 30-minute, on-demand program that helps staff members identify escalating behaviors, develop shared codes for crisis situations, and know when to reach out for help.
What are the benefits of the CPI training?
CPI training improves workplace safety, communication, and de-escalation skills. The results speak for themselves:
- 90% increase in staff retention
- 75% drop in suspensions
- 80% reduction in staff assaults
These real-world outcomes show how CPI training helps create a safer work environment while boosting staff confidence in handling challenging situations.
Does CPI use restraint techniques?
CPI training emphasizes safety and using restraints only as a last resort. Staff members learn to recognize behaviors early, adjust their own actions, and de-escalate situations before they turn into crises. CPI programs are also customizable, so those in higher-risk positions get the specialized training they need.
Does CPI offer continuing education credit?
Yes, staff members who complete CPI training can earn continuing education credits. But each organization has its own rules, policies, and terminology for how credits, hours, or units are calculated.
How long does it take to get CPI certified?
The time it takes to get CPI certified depends on the course you’re taking. Here’s the general timeline recommended by the CPI:
| Verbal Intervention | Nonviolent Crisis Intervention | Nonviolent Crisis Intervention With Advanced Physical Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online and classroom training | With disengagement: 1.5 hours online and 4 hours in class Without disengagement: |
2 hours online and 6.5 hours in class | 2 hours online and 16 hours in class |
| In-person component | N/A | 13 hours | 18 hours |
What is CPI certification for nursing?
In nursing, CPI stands for the Crisis Prevention Institute. It’s an organization that provides training in de-escalation and crisis management techniques, tailored to your job. For example, geriatric nurses might receive Dementia Capable Care, while correctional nurses might receive Advanced Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills training.
Is the CPI exam difficult?
The CPI exam is typically not too challenging if you’ve paid attention during the training and understand the content. As long as you’re familiar with the training content, you should be well prepared.
What resources are available to help me study for CPI?
You’ll get a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention workbook to help you study important concepts and refer back to after the program. Additionally, CPI offers free resources to help make many of its strategies and techniques as accessible as possible, such as:
- Voices of CPI blog: This series shares best practices, tips, and insights from experts in various specialties.
- CPI library: This resource provides free, downloadable guides and materials, covering topics like trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, and verbal intervention strategies.
- Video library: This collection includes customer testimonials and program overviews, offering a closer look at CPI’s training programs and real-life success stories.
- Workplace violence prevention handbook: This free guide is designed to help organizations and staff members boost workplace safety.
Additionally, you can explore CPI flashcards and read the key point refresher to help you study the essential content.
Where can I find CPI certification lookup?
After finishing the training, you’ll receive a Blue Card from your instructor, who will also update CPI’s system with your certification details. Your employer will be able to verify your certification without needing any proof from you.
If you have any questions about your certification or need documentation validating your certification, you’ll need to contact CPI.
Related Certifications
Want to boost your career with more certifications? These additional credentials may be useful:
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
- Nurse Coach Certification (NCC)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Certification (PMH-BC)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
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