CANS Training and Certification Exam FAQs

1. What do I need to do in order to be CANS certified?
2. How do I get CEs for the CANS certification training?
3. I forgot my password.
4. I forgot my username.
5. I have a new email address.
6. I have a new name; how do I change it?
7. How do I edit my personal information?
8. How long does the online training take?
9. Is there a fee for the training and the exam?
10. How do I view the online training after I am certified?
11. Do I need a special tool on my computer to take the exam?
12. How much time should I allow for taking the exam?
13. How can I prepare for the exam?
14. I have been locked out of the exam.
15. How do I enter CANS data for my clients?
16. My password for the Virtual Gateway does not work on this site.
17. How do I reach the Virtual Gateway?
18. What is a certification key, and how can I obtain my certification key?
19. When does my certification expire?
20. Will I be notified when my certification expires?
21. Do I need to recertify?
22. How do I recertify?
23. How can I prepare to take the exam to recertify?
24. I am certified in a different state. How does this affect my Massachusetts certification?

1. What do I need to do in order to be CANS certified?
   
   • Complete the Training
   • Take and pass the Certification Examination with at least a 70% score
   • Update My Account if your contact information changed
   • Apply for CE credits if you need them
2. How do I get CEs for the CANS certification training?
   
   To obtain Continuing Education credits following completion of training, you must first pass the CANS Certification exam and complete the on-line evaluation survey after the exam. Please note that you will have up to 90 days to apply for credits, however you will NOT be able to return to this survey. The survey is required for Continuing Education credits, so it is important that if you anticipate applying for credits you must complete this survey.  To obtain clik here.  You may obtain Continuing Education credits one time per licensure period.
   
   Social Work:  This program has been approved for 8 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR.  Collaborative of NASW and the Boston College and Simmons Schools of Social Work Authorization Number D71602. 8 CEs are approved, the fee is $80.
   
   Marriage and Family Therapists:  This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions, for LMFT professional continuing educatoin.  Certification #PC-040266.  The fee is $80.
   
   Nursing:  This program meets the requirements for 8 nursing contact hours as specified by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing - 244 CMR 5.04.  The fee is $80.
   
   LMHC:  Berkshire AHEC, ACEP No. 5585, and University of Massachusetts Medical School, ACEP No. 6842, are co-sponsors of this program.  This co-sponsorship has been approved by NBCC.  Both ACEPs are responsible for this program, including the awarding of NBCC credit.  8 CEs are approved; the fee is $80.
   
   

   Substance Abuse Counselors:  The Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification do not review online trainings but will accept credits approved by another Board, such as the NASW MA.  Credits have been approved by the Collaborative of NASW and the Boston College and Simmons Schools of Social Work, in accordance with 258 CMR and a certificate is available for substance abuse counselors, with the NASW MA approval of 8 continuing education hours.  The fee is $80.

   Psychologists: CEs for psychologists are provided by The Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for the program and its content. For questions about receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact  BerkshireAHEC (hbruno@berkshireahec.org).  For questions about CE, contact Spiritual Competency Academy at www.spiritualcompetencyacademy.com . The fee is: $115 for 8 credits of Psychology.

3. I forgot my password.
   
   If you are unable to log in because you forgot your password, please follow the steps below:
   • Click on the “Forgot Password” button on the login page.
   • Enter your username and click “Submit.”
   • You will be presented with a security question.
   • Enter the answer to the security question and click “submit”.
   • You will be asked to create a new password.
   • Enter and confirm your new password and click “submit”.
   If you are unable to answer the security question, click on "reset password" option.  You will be sent an email to change your own password. Follow those steps and you will return to the MassCANS Training home page.  If this does not work for you, contact the MassCANS Training office at 774-455-4057 for further assistance or send an email to masscans@umassmed.edu.
4. I forgot my username.
   
   If you are unable to log in because you forgot your username, please follow the steps below:
   • Click on the “Forgot Username” button on the login page.
   • Enter your Email Address and Last Name.
   • Click “Submit”.
   • You will be asked a security question.  Enter the answer.
   Your username will be sent to the email address currently on record in your MassCANS Training record.  If this does not work contact the MassCANS Training office at 774-455-4057 for further assistance or send an email to masscans@umassmed.edu.
5. I have a new email address.
   
   If you would like to change your email address, please follow the steps below:
   • Log in to the MassCANS training site.
   • In the left sidebar, click the “My Account” link.
   • Click on "Edit my Information" and in the “single Email Address” field replace your old email address with the new one.
   • Click the “Save Edits” button, which can be found at the top and bottom of the form.
   Your information has now been updated.
   
   If you are not able to log into the MassCANS training website and get to the "edit my information" link, please send a request to masscans@umassmed.edu with your new email address you would like listed in your account, and we will make that change for you.
6. I have a new name; how do I change it?
   
   When your name changes, it must be changed at both the MassCANS Training Program and the Virtual Gateway.
   
   • To change your name at the MassCANS Training program, contact the MassCANS Training office at 774-455-4057 with your name change information. A MassCANS Training Program representative will assist you to ensure that your name has been correctly changed in your account.
     PLEASE NOTE: Do not create a new account when you change your name, as your CANS certification will not transfer to a new account.
   • To change your name at the Virtual Gateway, contact your organization’s VG Access Administrator to inform them of your name change. The Access Administrator is authorized to make a name change using a User Request Form (URF). On the User Request Form, you will be listed twice - once to deactivate your previous last name and again to activate your current name as a “New User”. Please allow 7-10 business days for the change to be made at the Virtual Gateway. If you are in private practice or your organization does not have an Access Administrator, you should contact the Virtual Gateway at 1-800-421-0938 and make sure the change is made there.
7. How do I edit my personal information?
   
   With the exception of your name, please follow the steps below to change your personal information:
   • Log in to the MassCANS training site.
   • In the left sidebar, click the “My Account” link.
   • Click on "Edit my Information" and in the field you want to change, replace the old information with your new information.
   • Click the “Save Edits” button, which can be found at the top and bottom of the form.
8. How long does the online training take?
   
   The online training will take approximately eight hours to complete.  The training is divided into six modules.  Please plan to take breaks as you progress through the course. When returning to the course website, you should be directed to "resume online training".  You can navigate from module to module by going back to the menu tab and clicking on the module you want to return to.  You can also move through the modules by using the previous and next buttons located at the top right and bottom right of each section.
9. Is there a fee for the training and exam?
   
   No. The MassCANS certification training and certification exam is free of charge to providers serving children enrolled in MassHealth.
10. How do I view the online training after I am certified?
    
    Click on the "Training" tab at the top to access the training materials.
    
    
11. Do I need a special tool on my computer to take the exam?
    
    No. All you need is an internet browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox) and a connection to the internet.
12. How much time should I allow for taking the exam?
    
    You may take as long as you need to complete the exam. We recommend that you allow two hours. 
13. How can I prepare for the exam?
    
    Before proceeding to take the Massachusetts CANS certification exam, please review the new Training Course presented to you when you log on the CANS Home Page and review the CANS User Guide.  You may want to print the User Guide, as you can use it while you take the exam.  The exam provides access to both item-specific rating definitions and a glossary of items that can be accessed by clicking on the "I" icon following each item name.
14. I have been locked out of the exam.
    
    Contact the MassCANS by clicking on the “Contact Us” link and submitting the form. You may also call a MassCANS training representative at 774-455-4057.
15. How do I enter CANS data for my clients?
    
    The Virtual Gateway is the place you go to enter the data from your MassCANS assessments.  You must complete certification and have a certification key to access the Virtual Gateway.  Questions about the CANS application itself, entering data into the Virtual Gateway, and any technical issues should be directed to VG customer service by phone at 1-800-421-0938 or by email at virtualgatewayCBHI@state.ma.us.  The MassCANS Training website is not the same as the CANS application on the Virtual Gateway or the CBHI website.  Your username and password for the Virtual Gateway will be different than those for the MassCANS training site.  The MassCANS website is where you complete the training and certification exam.
16. My password for the Virtual Gateway does not work on this site.
    
    Your username and password for the Virtual Gateway will be different than those for the MassCANS training site. The MassCANS website is where you complete the training and certification exam. The Virtual Gateway is the place you go to enter the data from your CANS assessments. You must complete certification and have a certification key to access the Virtual Gateway. The MassCANS training website is not the same as the CANS application on the Virtual Gateway or the CBHI website.
17. How do I reach the Virtual Gateway?
    
    Please contact the Virtual Gateway customer service by phone at 1-800-421-0938 or by email at virtualgatewayCBHI@state.ma.us.
18. What is a certification key, and how can I obtain my certification key?
    
    The certification key is a 36-character alphanumeric key. Your certification key is presented to you in a confirmation email after you have successfully completed and passed the certification exam. It is required to log in to the Virtual Gateway. To access your certification key at any time, follow the steps below:
    • Log in to the Site https://masscans.ehs.state.ma.us by putting in your username/password combination.
    • On the CANS Homepage in the left sidebar, click the “My Account” link.
    • Then click “My Certification” and on the next screen, you will see your certification key. Print out and save this for your own records.
19. When does my certification expire?
    
    Your CANS certification expires on the second anniversary of the day you received certification. To view this information, please follow the steps below:
    • Log in to the MassCANS Training site.
    • In the left sidebar, click the “My Account” link.
    • Then click "My Certification". You will see the date you certified and the expiration date.
20. Will I be notified when my certification expires?
    
    Yes, six (6) weeks prior to the date that your certification expires, you will receive email notification that your CANS certification is about to expire. However, if your email address has changed or you have moved to a new agency, please notify MassCANS Training at masscans@umassmed.edu with updated email information, or call us directly at 774-455-4057. If your e-mail address is not current in your MassCANS Training account, you will not receive the expiration notification or any other e-mail messages distributed through the training program.
21. Do I need to recertify?
    
    Yes, CANS recertification is required every two years for behavioral health providers in Massachusetts who are serving children enrolled in MassHealth.
22. How do I recertify?
    
    MassCANS recertification is completed by taking the MassCANS Certification Exam found on the MassCANS Training website.  Click on the "Certification" tab on the top or the menu on the left side bar.
23. How can I prepare to take the exam to recertify?
    
    You can review the CANS Online Training by clicking on the “Training” tab after logging in to the MassCANS Training website.
24. I am certified in a different state. How does this affect my Massachusetts certification?
    
    You are required to pass the MassCANS Certification Exam in order to enter CANS data in Massachusetts.  Even if you have certified elsewhere it will not be accepted as a MassCANS Certification on our website.  If you are currently "out of state" you should go to www.canstraining.com and visit the Praed Foundation website for further information on certification in your state.  If you need additional assistance, you may contact the MassCANS Training helpdesk by calling 774-455-4057 or by emailing us at masscans@umassmed.edu.