CPRS Training

Rhode Island’s 1st Peer Recovery Workforce Conference

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Applying for the Peer Recovery Specialist Certification:

The Rhode Island Certification Board certifies Peer Recovery Specialists in Rhode Island and renews certification every two years if requirements are met.

The initial application to take the certification exam includes the following requirements:

  • Two years of sustained and continued recovery time of your own personal lived experience with a substance use and/or mental health disorder or as a family member or loved one of a person or persons with a substance use and/or mental health disorder.

  • Training in the following Domains.

    10 hours Advocacy Domain

    10 hours Mentoring/Education Domain

    10 hours Recovery/Wellness Domain

    16 hours Ethical Responsibility Domain

  • Qualifying work experience is defined as providing individuals and family members in recovery with a support system to develop and learn healthy skills and gain access to needed community resources.

    Peer Recovery Specialists serve people in the recovery process by supporting them in the accessing community-based resources, implementing self-directed recovery and wellness plans, navigating state and local systems.

    Peer Recovery Specialists encourage individuals to develop a strong foundation in recovery that support long term wellness and recovery.

    NOTE: No other work experience in the behavioral health field can be used for a PRS certification other than what has been stated above.

    • On the job supervision of qualifying work experience in the peer recovery specialist domains (see CPRS Training).

    • RICB has no requirements for who provides supervision

      • The person providing supervision is at the discretion of the agency

    • Supervision can be provided by more than one supervisor

    • Copy of current peer recovery specialist job description, obtained from current employer, and which must be signed by both the applicant and their immediate supervisor.

    • The job description must be provided by your employer and must signed and dated by the applicant and the employer

      • Employer may also provide an official position description on agency letterhead.

        • This may include applicants dates of employment, employment status, title of position, detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of the position, average number of hours per week the applicant worked.

  • Highschool diploma or GED

    • Transcripts from an accredited college/university may be used if sent directly from the institution to info@ricertboard.org

    • Transcripts must be requested three weeks prior to sending in the completed application to RICertboard.

    • May be paid by check or money order.

    • If paid by an employer, the applicants name must be included in the payment

    • One half of the fee is refundable if application is denied prior to the examination

  • The application submitted by:

    • Mail

      • RICB, 298 S. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17109

      • Email: Info@ricertboard.org

        Only PDFs are permitted- no photos of applications

  • Once application is approved, applicant must pass the IC/RC Examination for Peer Recovery Specialists

For a fuller description and the application material itself, please visit the RICB at ricertboard.org

Recertification application can be submitted no sooner than three (3) months prior to the credential’s expiration date.

Renewing Your Peer Recovery Specialist Certification:

    • 20 hours relevant to peer recovery including 6 hours in ethics

    • Education must be acquired no earlier than two years prior to the applicant’s current expiration date.

    • Education is defined as formal, structured instruction in the form of workshops, seminars, institutes, in-services, college/university credit courses and distance learning/online courses.

      • RICB does not accept general staff meetings, supervision, staff rounds, or case management as education.

    • RICB accepts education received outside of Rhode Island.

  • www.ricertboard.org/recertificationinfo

    • Acceptable documentation of education must include the professional’s name, title, date, number of hours and the organization.

    • 20 hours relevant to peer recovery including 6 hours in ethics

    • Fee for recertification is $75

  • Mail: RICB, 298 S. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17109

    Email: Info@ricertboard.org

    Only PDFs are permitted- no photos of applications

    Online: Set up an online account at https://www.ricertboard.org/user/login

    Submit your application at https://www.ricertboard.org/recertification

Instructions & FAQ

Click here to access the application from the Rhode Island Certification Board!

For assistance, contact RICARES Member Engagement Coordinator, Tricia Kehl at tkehl@ricares.org.

To find a public notary, click here.

For the testing accommodations form, click here.

To submit your application via mail send it to:

RICB- 298 S. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17109

To submit your application digitally, email the PDF to info@ricertboard.org

*Please note that the application can only be submitted as a PDF and cannot be a photo of the application.