Direct Support Professional Training and Assessment Program
What: Direct Support Professional Training and Assessment Program (DSP TAP) led by the David Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Georgia. The ongoing DSP certification program funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities will continue to strengthen the vital workforce that supports individuals with IDD-allowing both IDD service recipients and the IDD workforce to benefit from enhanced professionalization of front-line service delivery.
Who: The DSP TAP is available at no cost to current DSPs, those supporting people in self-direction, and those who intend on entering the workforce.
Please note financial incentive/bonuses will no longer be available for the 2026 DSP pilot as those previously bonus funds were only available during the Public Health Emergency by way of COVID-19 ARPA funding.
How: Learners will engage in self paced online learning through the College of Direct Support for 12 weeks and competency is assessed via an online remote proctored exam. The DSP I (Entry level) is opening in April 2026. The exam window will be open in July 2026.
A DSP II (Emerging) credentialing program will follow in August with an exam in November. Candidates must have earned the DSP I to move forward in the credentialing process. Up to 300 DSPs will be accepted at each level of the credential.