Training Requirements & Sessions for Initial & Renewal MH/SUD Peer Certifications

Considering new changes with certification processes for Peer Recovery Supporters in both the mental health and substance use spaces, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to offer an array of training opportunities to both, help new peer supporters receive their initial training for certification, as well as to complete continuing education for renewing peer recovery support certifications.  Information is below.

OhioMHAS is also requesting feedback from any currently Certified Peer Supporters to an online survey that will help guide decision making during the transition and policy-making as Peer Supporters transition to being governed by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

For NEW/INITIAL Peer Recovery Support certifications:

Under the current guidelines, there are three training tracks for Certified Peer Recovery Supporters:

  1. ADULT Peer Recovery Supporters – New applicants with mental health and/or substance use lived experience seeking an Adult Peer Recovery Support certification are required to complete 56 hours of Continuing Education, including
    1. 16 hours/11 courses of Peer Recovery Supporter Training Basics courses in eBased Academy (registration info available here), AND
    2. Complete 40 hours of live interactive PRS Trainings (registration info available here).
      1. **Please note – individuals with 3 or more years of formal, verifiable work experience providing behavioral health peer services may apply for certification without attending the 40-hour live training but WILL need to complete the 16 hours of Peer Supporter Basic Training in eBased Academy.
  2. FAMILY Peer Recovery Supporters – New applicants seeking to become a Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) must pass a Certified Family Peer Services exam and complete 40 hours of initial certification education which is currently available either through:
    1. NAMI Ohio’s Family Peer Support Training Program, or
    2. Union County’s Family Support Institute.
  3. YOUTH Certified Youth Peer Supporters (CYPS) – Individuals between the ages of 18 – 30 with lived experience with behavioral health or substance use challenges are eligible to apply for a CYPS certification. There are two pathways to acquire a CYPS Certification:
    1. Have 3-years of work or volunteer experience as a peer navigator, peer specialist, peer supporter, or peer recovery coach that is verified through documentation.
    2. Complete 16 hours of OhioMHAS Youth Peer Support Training in eBased Academy (application to attend future trainings is here).

For RENEWAL/CONTINUING EDUCATION for Current Peer Recovery Support certifications:

Under current guidelines, the Adult, Family and Youth Peer Supporter certifications are valid for a period of 2 years, after which time individuals must apply for a Renewal. Renewal applications should be submitted within 90 days of certification expiration. A comprehensive list of renewal application guidelines is available here.

In order to renew, certificate holders must submit proof in the eLicense application portal of the completion of 30 hours of continuing education, that includes specific hours across the below topics. The OhioMHAS Peer Services Team has launched a website with registration links to training opportunities that meet the below requirements.  For Peer Supporters in need of CEs to renew their certifications, please visit the OhioMHAS Peer Supporter CE website and register for training as needed.

  1. Ethics: 3 hours
  2. Boundaries: 3 hours
  3. Diversity, Inclusion, & Cultural Sensitivity: 2 hours
  4. System Navigation & Care Coordination: 1 hour
  5. Trauma-Informed Care: 2 hours
  6. Human Trafficking: 1 hour
  7. Behavioral Health Knowledge (may include recovery & resiliency): 1 hour
  8. Basic principles related to health & wellness: 1 hour
  9. Principles of coaching as applied to the delivery of peer services: 2 hours

To become a Peer Supporter SUPERVISOR:

Under the current guidelines, individuals seeking eligibility to supervise Adult, Youth, or Family peer supporters must meet the minimum supervision qualifications in OAC 5122-29-15.1 and must complete the required supervision training. There are currently no CE or renewal requirements for individuals supervising peer supporters, and only currently need to complete this training 1 time.

There are 2 pathways to become a Peer Support Supervisor:

  1. Have 2 years of cumulative work experience delivering behavioral health or substance use disorder peer services, and
    1. Have completed the 4-hour supervising peers training, and
    2. Have completed 16 hours/11 courses of online learning in eBased Academy. *Please note, these are the same courses required for the Adult Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) certification. If you are already certified as a PRS in Ohio, you do not need to repeat these courses.

OR

     2. Are a licensed clinician (LSW, LISW, LPC, LCDC II, LCDC III, LPCC, LICDC, MFT, IMFT, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist), and

    1. Have completed 4-hour supervising peers training, and
    2. Have completed 16 hours/11 courses of online learning in eBased Academy. *Please note, these are the same courses required for the Adult Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) certification. If you are already certified as a PRS in Ohio, you do not need to repeat these courses.

For additional information, please visit OhioMHAS’ Peer Support Certification general website. For questions or additional information, you may contact [email protected].