Educational Requirements:

1. Training Hours:
   • 46 hours of specific training are required in domains relevant to peer recovery support. These training hours should include content in the following areas:
     • Advocacy: 10 hours.
     • Mentoring/Education: 10 hours.
     • Recovery/Wellness Support: 10 hours.
     • Ethical Responsibility: 16 hours.
   Note: Education must be formally documented and can include workshops, seminars, or structured learning in the relevant domains.

Work Experience Requirements:

1. Supervised Work Experience:
   • 500 hours of supervised work or volunteer experience providing peer recovery support is required.
   • Of these hours, 25 hours must be under direct supervision by a qualified supervisor.
   Note: This experience must be focused on peer recovery support, where the applicant has actively engaged in services related to addiction recovery in the capacity of a peer.

Ethics Requirement:

• The applicant must adhere to a Code of Ethics specific to the role of a peer recovery specialist, which aligns with standards set by the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors (ABCAC).
• The applicant must sign an affirmation to follow this Code of Ethics, which includes principles such as confidentiality, integrity, ethical behavior, and advocacy.

Letters of Recommendation:

• Two letters of recommendation are required. These should be from individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s work as a peer recovery specialist, ideally from a supervisor or someone involved in the recovery community.

Examination Requirement:

• The applicant must pass the IC&RC Peer Recovery (PR) exam.

Fees:

• The certification fee includes the application manual, processing fees, the IC&RC exam, and covers two years of certification.

Application Checklist:

• The following documents must be submitted for CPRS certification:
  1. Complete Application Form: Include documentation of education and work experience.
  2. Supervision Work Log and Evaluation Form: Completed by the supervisor.
  3. Two Letters of Recommendation.
  4. Application Fee.

Additional Requirements:

• Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Lived Experience: Applicants must have personal experience with substance use recovery, which forms the basis of peer support services.

Where to Submit Application:

• All completed applications, documentation, and fees should be sent to [email protected] or mailed to the ABCAC office in Phoenix, Arizona.