The CPS certification will be valid for two years. To avoid a lapse in certification, recertification should occur before the end of the two-year certification period. Recertification requires obtaining 36 hours of CEUs every two years and a $50 two-year recertification fee.
This formal certification through the PCB is designed to help strengthen the profession and give CPSs a stronger voice, while maintaining the essence of peer support in delivering recovery-oriented services.
REMEMBER: This formal certification will be necessary to provide Medicaid billable peer support services.
A credential for individuals with personal, lived experience in their own mental health recovery. By offering insight into the recovery process based on their own experience, peer specialists are able to provide a unique perspective while providing peer support services. This credential is for persons with mental health disorder lived experience.
Formal certification through PCB is necessary to provide Medicaid billable peer support services.
For more in depth information on the requirements please review the downloadable application above.
Peer Training: 75-hours of mandatory peer specialist training. Three training vendors are authorized to provide the 75-hour mandatory peer specialist training. No other peer trainings are acceptable other than trainings from one of the authorized training vendors. All education/training must be documented. Authorized training vendors:
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Copeland Center: https://copelandcenter.com/our-services/certified-peer-specialist-training-cps
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The Institute for Recovery: https://courses.training.mhphope.org/
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RI Consulting: https://riinternational.com/consulting/training/
Personal, Lived Experience: Personal, lived experience with mental health disorder.
Statement of Lived Experience: Statement describing your pathway to recovery/wellness. Provide additional information on how you achieved and maintain your recovery/wellness. Include how and why you feel that you are ready and appropriate to support others in a similar situation. Statement should be at least one page.
Examination: Once application is approved, applicant must pass the PCB Examination for Certified Peer Specialist (CPS examination).