A credential for individuals with personal, lived experience in their own substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder recovery. By offering insight into the recovery process based on their own experience, peer recovery specialists are able to provide a unique perspective while providing recovery support services. The CPRS is not a sponsor, case manage or a therapist but rather a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator.
For more in depth information on the requirements please review the downloadable application above.
Formal Education: Minimum high school diploma/GED
Peer Work Experience: 500 hours of work or volunteer experience as a peer recovery specialist.
Current Volunteer Job Description: Copy of current peer recovery specialist volunteer/job description, obtained from current organization, and which must be signed by both the applicant and their immediate supervisor.
Statement of Lived Experience: 1000 word essay describing their experience with recovery and their history of sustained recovery
On-The-Job Supervision: 25 hours of on-the-job supervision of qualifying work experience in the peer recovery specialist domains.
Education/Training: 46 hours of education/training specific to the peer recovery specialist domains of which 10 hours must be in the Advocacy domain; 10 hours must be in the Mentoring/Education domain; 10 hours must be in the Recovery/Wellness Support domain; and 16 hours must be in the Ethical Responsibility domain.
Examination: Once application is approved, applicant must pass the IC&RC Examination for Peer Recovery Specialists (PR examination).