The American Crisis Prevention & Management Association (ACPMA) welcomes professionals from healthcare, education, and law enforcement sectors to become certified instructors in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB). This instructor training course provides the skills and tools you need to deliver ACPMA’s certified programs in your own facility or community.
Whether you’re a nurse, teacher, behavioral therapist, or corporate trainer, this program helps you meet growing demands for certified, compliant, and effective crisis intervention instruction.
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Why Become a Certified Instructor with ACPMA?
By earning your MAB instructor certification or CPI instructor certification, you gain the ability to conduct trainings for others, reduce training costs within your organization, and ensure consistent, high-quality instruction across your team.
Key benefits include:
- Official certification to teach ACPMA’s industry-recognized curriculum
- Courses led by experienced professionals in behavioral management and healthcare
- Flexible training formats, including online learning options
- Detailed instructor materials, including slides, guides, and handouts
- Ongoing updates to stay aligned with compliance standards such as AB 508
- Lifetime access to instructional support and resources
- Recognition as a certified provider of crisis prevention training
What You’ll Learn in the Instructor Course
The ACPMA training course equips you to teach others about the key principles of crisis prevention and response. You’ll learn how to manage aggressive or assaultive behavior in a safe, structured way while also ensuring legal and ethical compliance.
Topics covered include:
- Verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques
- Threat assessment and situational awareness
- Physical safety strategies and escape methods
- Legal implications and state-mandated regulations
- Principles of adult learning and instructional design
- Documentation and reporting best practices
Who Should Take This Course?
The instructor certification course is designed for professionals who are actively involved in training, managing, or responding to behavioral crises. This includes:
- Healthcare professionals (nurses, mental health techs, paramedics)
- Educators (teachers, administrators, school counselors)
- Corporate and industrial safety officers
- Human resource managers
- Law enforcement and correctional officers
- Behavioral therapists and social workers
If your role involves managing difficult situations or training others to do so, this course is an essential investment.
Two Certification Paths: CPI and MAB
ACPMA offers certification in two core areas:
- Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) – Focuses on proactive verbal techniques and non-violent crisis management strategies.
- Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) – Teaches more direct interventions and personal safety methods when physical aggression occurs.
Participants can choose either certification or pursue both for maximum flexibility and reach in their training programs.
Train-the-Trainer Model: Save Time and Costs
By certifying an in-house trainer through ACPMA, your organization can conduct regular training sessions without the added expense of external consultants. This train-the-trainer model allows you to standardize crisis prevention education internally, ensuring all staff members receive consistent, effective instruction.
This model also benefits compliance teams, allowing them to align training efforts with federal and state mandates like AB 508 in California, while also reducing long-term training expenses.
Flexible Online Learning Options
For professionals with busy schedules, ACPMA offers a complete online training experience. You can study from anywhere, at your own pace, while receiving full access to video lectures, downloadable training guides, quizzes, and instructor support.
Take the course online here: How to become an Instructor
Instructor Materials and Ongoing Support
Once certified, you’ll receive all the tools and materials needed to deliver professional training sessions:
- Instructor manuals and presentation slides
- Student workbooks and assessments
- Real-world scenarios for roleplay training
- Online portal access for updates and downloads
- One-on-one support from ACPMA staff as needed
This ongoing support ensures you remain confident and well-equipped to teach even as regulations and best practices evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ACPMA certification valid across all states?
Yes. ACPMA’s courses meet national training standards and specific mandates like AB 508 in California.
How long does it take to complete the course?
Most participants complete the course within one to two weeks, depending on the chosen format (online or in-person).
Do I need teaching experience to become certified?
No prior teaching experience is required. The course includes instructional methods and classroom management techniques.
Can I teach others immediately after completing the course?
Yes, once certified, you’ll receive all the materials needed to begin teaching immediately.
Conclusion
Becoming a certified CPI or MAB instructor with ACPMA enhances your professional qualifications and empowers your organization to handle crisis situations with confidence and care. With flexible learning formats, comprehensive materials, and a trusted national curriculum, ACPMA is your partner in building safer, more responsive environments. Enroll today and take the first step toward becoming a certified leader in crisis prevention training.
