Online Continuing Education 20-Credit Certificate Program for Healthcare Clinicians and Laypersons

In partnership with Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Office of Continuing Education, Overdose Lifeline has developed healthcare clinician and layperson continuing education courses and a 20-hour certificate program on Addiction / Substance Use Disorder with an Opioid Specialization.

Addiction / Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a major public health concern in the United States. Nearly 20 million Americans 12 years of age or older have SUD, with 2.5 million Americans having a SUD involving either prescription opioids or heroin.

The Overdose Lifeline certificate program assist laypersons and clinicians in building knowledge and competency in the underserved area - substance use disorder / opioid health crisis. Allowing individuals across community sectors to work together more efficiently and effectively in prevention efforts and to better serve those affected.

Continuing Education Accreditations

Nursing: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 

Pharmacy: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

Physician: Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) 

Other CE Areas: AMA PRA Category 1™ (ACCME) which will service all other healthcare clinical and layperson CE hours

Law Enforcement Continuing Education & Certificate Program

As an approved Law Enforcement Training Board training provider (#47-1333720), Overdose Lifeline online training courses meet annual in-service training requirements for Indiana Law Enforcement officers and support personal, specifically for Mental Illness, Addiction & Disabilities IC 5-2-1-9(g). First Responders may take individual courses for continuing education credits or complete the entire 20-hour certificate program.

Outside of Indiana: before beginning any of the Overdose Lifeline online courses we recommend that you verify that the course is of suitable subject matter and content for annual in-service training with your department’s Certified Instructor.

About the Certificate Program Course Track

The Advanced Certificate Program is designed for people with demanding schedules. 

Courses may be taken in any order. On your own schedule — at your own pace.

You will complete eight online courses with activities and discussions to build your knowledge and skill sets. Each course includes "Check My Knowledge" activities to assist in preparing for the course final exam.

Certificate Program Course Track

The Brain and Disease of Addiction (BDA) — 2.0 Continuing Education Credits

Removing the Shame and Stigma of Substance Use Disorder / Addiction (RSS-SUD) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits

Guide to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (SUD-TR) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits

Guide to Harm Reduction (GHR) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits

Medication Assisted Treatment: Understanding the Role of Medication Assisted Treatment in Recovery (MAT) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits

Exploring the Role of ACEs and Trauma in Substance Use Disorder (ATR-SUD)  — 1.5 Continuing Education Credits 

The Opioid Public Health Crisis (OPHC) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits

Layperson Naloxone Administration (LPN) — 1.5 Continuing Education Credits

PLUS: Certificate Practicum Assignment

How to Sign-Up for the Certificate Program

New to the Overdose Lifeline Learning or Haven't Taken an Online Course is Over a Year?

If you have not yet taken any online course -- or it's been over a year since you completed a course, simply select the 20-Credit Certificate Course Bundle from the options which follow, pay online, and begin today.

Already Taken an Online Course(s) in the Past 12 Months?

Email training@overdoselifeline.org, or call 844-554-3354, extension 4 and we'll get you enrolled — taking into consideration the courses that you already completed.

Want to Pay by Invoice or Have a Group of Five or More that You Wish to Enroll?

We can help. Email training@overdoselifeline.org, or call 844-554-3354, extension 4 and we'll get you started.

20-Credit Certificate Programs

Select your accreditation from the available options

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

  • What is an Advanced Continuing Education Certificate Program?

    Advanced professional certificates are professional credentials designed to help professionals enhance their job performance and marketability in their respective fields. Completion of a certificate program indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a specific concentration that is different from an educational degree program. The end goal of an advanced professional certificate is so that professionals may demonstrate knowledge of course content at the end of a set period.

  • How many courses make up the certificate program?

    The certificate program includes a practicum assignment and eight (8) online courses, which may be taken in any order. The submission of a practicum assignment completes the certificate track.

  • How many continuing education hours does the certificate program provide?

    20 hours.

  • Do I have to sign up for the certificate program in order to take the courses?

    No. Many people take two or three courses before committing to the entire certificate program. Others simply take courses they find interesting without ever intending to pursue the certificate program.

  • I am not a nurse, pharmacist, or physician. How does AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (ACCME) work for other disciplines / professions?

    AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™(ACCME) is accepted for many clinical continuing education requirements and many societies and credentialing bodies accept the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an equivalent as long as the topic is relevant to the applicant’s field or discipline.

    If in question, review information provided from your accrediting organization.

  • What is required to earn CE credits for a course?

    100% course completion. 80% (minimum) passing grade on the final exam. Complete the course ending survey.

  • Have more questions? Visit our Support page.

    Visit the Support webpage for information on how to navigate through the course and other helpful information.

    Or you can email training@overdoselifeline.org or call 844-554-3354, ext. 4.

What People Are Saying About the Online Courses

  • “I have never thought of shopping, materialistic items as a comparison to fill a void to make one feel better. Excellent comparison to bridge that gap and find commonality."

    "This helped me understand what I can personally do to help my family and others and that the solutions work when all are used, and everyone works together."

    "I developed a better understanding of how illicit drugs affect the brain and why it is so difficult to actually recover."

  • "In the past when I thought about stigma and addiction, I typically thought about how another person (family member, neighbor) stigmatize someone with this disease. I now have a better understanding of how stigma from other areas of ones' life (medical communities, law enforcement, etc.) affects someone with this disease."

    "This course allowed me to truly understand the science behind the disease, which allowed me to really grasp addiction in terms of a disease rather than a moral failing."

  • "As a public health educator, this course gave me a fantastic overall view of addiction, the opioid crisis (both historically and currently), and how to help."

    "I now have a better understanding of efforts the community and I personally can take to help with the opioid and overdose epidemic."

    "I have developed a basic understanding of addiction and will be able to articulate this information to classes of middle school students and college students, in the near future. I also have a greater understanding of terminology used to describe patterns of addition."