State Certification Directory
Welcome to the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence’s State Certification Directory for Peer
Recovery Support Specialist Training. This directory contains information regarding the training
and certification processes for all 50 U.S. states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
The certification information in this directory covers state certification in mental health,
substance use, integrated, family, and family and adult. Additional information on these terms
can be found in the "Glossary" below.
The purpose of this directory is to house up-to-date information on training and certification
processes around the country. The information in this directory will be regularly updated.
However, because each state handles its own certification processes, and they are ever-
changing, it may occasionally have old information. If you see that your state’s information is
out-of-date or have any questions, please contact Tim Saubers at
tim.saubers@austin.utexas.edu.
You may search by state, certification type, or both. Simply use the drop-down menus below to
begin.
Glossary*
- Family – This certification covers the experience of raising youth with mental health and / or
substance use challenges. This includes, but is not limited to, raising youth under the age of 18
as well as supporting adult children. Family is not limited to biological family, but can vary to
include grandparents, foster parents, and those in guardianship roles, among others. This
certification typically allows the holder to provide services to family and usually requires lived
experience.
- Family and Adult – This certification covers the experience of raising youth with mental health
and / or substance use challenges. It also includes having direct lived experience of mental
health and / or substance use challenges. This certification typically allows the holder to
provide services to both families and adults, regardless of lived experience.
- Integrated – This certification covers the experience of living with mental health challenges,
substance use challenges, or both. This certification typically allows the holder to provide
services to adults with one or both of the lived experiences mentioned previously. This
certification usually requires direct lived experience, and is the most common certification type.
- Mental Health – This certification covers the experience of living with mental health challenges.
This includes, but is not limited to, a clinical mental health diagnosis, trauma experiences, and
life-altering experiences. This certification typically allows the holder to provide services to
adults with mental health challenges and usually requires lived experience.
- Substance Use – This certification covers the experience of living with substance use challenges.
This includes, but is not limited to, a clinical substance use diagnosis. This certification typically
allows the holder to provide services to adults with substance use challenges and usually
requires lived experience.
* Please note that this glossary is intended to be a general guide. Definitions and classifications may vary by state and certifying body.