An established body of research exists on the effectiveness of comprehensive substance abuse prevention strategies in higher education. However, there is little research on the characteristics and job functions of prevention professionals and their effectiveness. This study was designed to examine the characteristics and job functions of prevention professionals and the relationship between professionals and their effectiveness. The study had two objectives: to gather descriptive data on prevention professionals in higher education and to determine if there was a relationship between training, experience, and credentials, and one measure of prevention effectiveness. The study consisted of 305 substance abuse prevention professionals. The study offers limited information about substance abuse prevention professionals and acknowledges the gaps in knowledge about these professionals. However, a significant relationship was found between the number of professional certifications they held and the subsequent comprehensiveness of programming offered by their institution. Substance abuse prevention classes, conferences, workshops, and certifications were significant variables in the study. Tables, references and appendixes