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Certified Peer Recovery Support SpecialistCandidate HandbookJanuary 2021CADTP1026 W. El Norte Pkwy PMB 143Escondido CA 92026Phone: (800) 464-3597 Fax: (866) 621-2286Email: [email protected] Website: www.cadtpcounselors.org
ContentsCertified Peer Recovery Support Specialist . 1Why Obtain the Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification? . 2Eligibility Requirements. 3Application Requirement . 3Fees . 4Certification Renewal . 4Examination Detail . 5Exam Schedule . 5Test Preparation Material. 5
Certified Peer Recovery Support SpecialistCertified Peer Recovery Support Specialists (CPRSS) are individuals who have lived experiencewith substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders either through their own experience orthat of a loved one. Their life experiences and recovery allow them to provide recovery supportin such a way that others can benefit from their experiences.The purpose of the experiential-based Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist credential is tostandardize the knowledge and competency of peer support to individuals with substance use andco-occurring mental health disorders. Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists can providesupport to others with mental illness, substance abuse, or co- occurring disorder and help themachieve their personal recovery goals by promoting self-determination, personal responsibility,and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery. A substantial number of research studiesdemonstrate that peer support improves client functioning, increases client satisfaction, reducesfamily burden, alleviates depression and other symptoms, reduces homelessness, reduceshospitalizations and hospital days, increases client activation, and enhances client self-advocacy.The Peer Recovery Support Specialist Credential is also a step in the career ladder for those whoare working toward a Substance Use Disorder Certification.The CADTP Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification meets the standards set by CaliforniaSenate Bill 80 which goes into effect in 2022. The federal Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices (CMS) recognizes that the experiences of peer support specialists, as part of an evidencebased model of care, can be an important component in a state’s delivery of effective mental healthand substance use disorder treatment. The CMS encourages states to offer comprehensiveprograms. Certification can increase the diversity and effectiveness of the behavioral healthworkforce using peers with lived experience.Excerpt from California Senate Bill 803. It is the intent of the Legislature that the peer supportspecialist certification program achieves all the following:(a) Support the ongoing provision of services for individuals experiencing mental health careneeds, substance use disorder needs, or both, by certified peer support specialists.(b) Support coaching, linkage, and skill building of individuals with mental health needs, substanceuse disorder needs, or both, and to families or significant support persons.(c) Increase family support by building on the strengths of families and helping them achieve abetter understanding of mental illness in order to help individuals achieve desired outcomes.(d) Support collaboration with others providing care or support to the individual or family.(e) Assist parents, families, and individuals in developing coping mechanisms and problemsolving skills in order to help individuals achieve desired outcomes.(f) Promote skill building for individuals in the areas of socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency,self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other supportservices.Revised 1/6/2021Page 1 of 5
(g) Encourage employment under the peer support specialist certification to reflect the culture,ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health service experiences, and substance usedisorder experiences of the individuals the peer support specialists serve.Why Obtain the Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification? Position yourself for career opportunities and reimbursement potential. Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification is endorsed by NAADAC (Optum) as areimbursed credential. Distinguish yourself as a person with lived experience who evidences competency andknowledge in recovery support services. The Peer credential reflects a commitment of the highest ethical standards for Peer RecoverySupport Specialists. Take a step on the career ladder to becoming a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor. Direct peer-to-peer services can include a variety of support services, such as:oAssisting in the development of strengths-based individual goals.oServing as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues that a peer isunable to resolve on his or her own.oAssisting in the development of recovery goals.oDeveloping community support.oProviding information on ways to maintain personal wellness and recovery.oProviding information on behavioral health system navigation.Revised 1/6/2021Page 2 of 5
Eligibility Requirements1. GED, High School diploma, or higher.2. A minimum of two years personal experience of recovery from lived experience in substanceuse and/or co-occurring mental health disorders (self-attested) or experience with a close friendor family member with substance use or co-occurring mental health disorder.3. A minimum of 200 hours of direct practice (volunteer or paid) in a peer recovery supportenvironment (supervisor-attested).4. At least 60 hours of education in the following areas:a. 6 hours of ethics within the last six years.b. 6 hours of HIV/other pathogens within the last six years.c. 48 hours consisting of the following topics:oThe concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness.oThe role of advocacy.oThe role of consumers and family members.oPsychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery principles,including defined practices.oCultural competence training.oTrauma-informed care.oGroup facilitation skills.oSelf-awareness and self-care.oCooccurring disorders of mental health and substance use.oConflict resolution.oProfessional boundaries and ethics.oPreparation for employment opportunities, including study and test-taking skills,application and resume preparation, interviewing, and other potential requirements foremployment.oSafety and crisis planning.oNavigation of, and referral to, other services.oDocumentation skills and standards.oConfidentiality.5. Two references, at least one of which must be professional (forms provided in application).6. Passing score on Peer Recovery Support Specialist exam.Application RequirementRevised 1/6/2021Page 3 of 5
1. Copy of GED, High School or higher diploma or transcript.2. Candidate must self-attest in writing to having a minimum of two years of recovery from livedexperience in substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders either as a consumerof these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer.3. Evidence of a minimum of 200 hours of direct practice (volunteer or paid) in a peer recoverysupport environment (supervisor-attested).4. Evidence of completion of the 60 hours of education topics as described in the EligibilityRequirements.5. Submission of a signed and initialed CADTP Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist Codeof Ethics.6. Submission of two references, at least one of which must be professional. References mustaccompany the Peer Recovery Support Specialist application in a sealed envelope.7. Candidate must submit the Peer Recovery Support Specialist application and all supportingdocuments with the non-refundable application fee of 150 and the exam fee of 175 for atotal application fee of 325.Fees Initial Credential Fee: 150.00 Exam Fee: 175.00 Re-exam fee: 175.00 Renewal Fee every two years: 60.00Certification RenewalCertification renewal is required every 2 years and requires the following:1. 20 hours of continuing education related to substance use and co-occurring mental healthdisorders every two years, including six hours of ethics and confidentiality training.2. Submission of a signed and initialed CADTP Peer Recovery Support Specialist Code of Ethics.3. Provide work history for the two years prior to renewal.4. Self-attestation of ongoing recovery from substance use or co-occurring mental healthdisorders or on-going experience with recovery related to substance use or co-occurring mentalhealth disorder.5. Renewal Application and Payment of a 60 non-refundable renewal certification fee.Revised 1/6/2021Page 4 of 5
Examination DetailThe examination required for certification as a CADTP Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialistis the NAADAC NCPRSS exam with a minimum criterion score set by the NCPRSS.The Peer Recovery Support Specialists written examination of consists of 125 multiple-choice,objective questions. The examination tests candidates’ knowledge in the areas of the role of thePeer Recovery Support Specialist (25%); basic concepts of recovery practice (40%);pharmacology (15%); and professional issues (ethics) (20%).Also note that the successful passing of the exam qualifies you to apply for the National CertifiedPeer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC. To obtain the National CertifiedPeer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC requires a separate application toNAADAC, visit www.naadac.org for information. NAADAC certification is an individual choiceand is separate from CADTP certification and requires a separate application, fee, and renewalrequirements.Exam ScheduleCADTP Peer Recovery Support Specialists examinations are now available throughout the monthat a date and location convenient for you! You now have more flexibility and opportunity to getyour exam scheduled than ever before. Once your application has been approved will receive anemail with a link to schedule your exam.Exams must be scheduled within 60 days of receiving the exam scheduling email. If you mustreschedule your exam after scheduling, there will be a rescheduling fee of 60.Missed exam appointments will cause forfeiture of the exam fee and you will need to submit there-take application and exam fee of 175.Test Preparation MaterialThe CADTP Peer Recovery Support Specialists examination will demonstrate to yourself andpotential employers that you have the knowledge and competencies to execute your skills in PeerRecovery Support settings. Preparation for the exam is a critical step in successfully passing yourexam. CADTP suggests the following additional topics for study. These topics can be found viathe NAADAC bookstore at the following link https://www.naadac.org/Bookstore, you can alsofind additional information at the SAMHSA website https://store.samhsa.gov/ . These resourcesare provided as a courtesy only.Basics of Addiction Counseling Co-occurring Disorders Conflict Resolution for Recovery(CRR) Medication-Assisted Treatment & Recovery SBIRT History of AddictionCounselingRevised 1/6/2021Page 5 of 5
email with a link to schedule your exam. Exams must be scheduled within 60 days of receiving the exam email. If you must scheduling reschedule your exam after scheduling, there will be a rescheduling fee of 60. Missed exam appointments will cause forfeiture of the exam fee and you will need to submit the re-take application and exam fee of 175.
