Recovery Coach Career Pathways
Recovery Support professionals are people who have a passion for supporting someone through their positive change process related to substance use and/or mental health concerns. Recovery support professionals utilize person-centered, mutual empowerment, respect, and empathy.
Whether a person has personal lived experience of recovery/wellness from substance use, mental illness or co-occurring issues or is a friend, family member, or ally of those with substance use, mental health, or co-occurring issues, ICAADA offers different credentialing paths for everyone.
| CPRC-A (formerly CAPRC I) | CPRC (formerly CAPRC II) | |
| IC&RC Reciprocal | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana Medicaid Reimbursable | Yes | Yes |
| DWD Industry Promoted Certification | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-requisite | • Candidate must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (HSE/GED) • Candidate must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time • Candidate must be 18 years of age or older | • Candidate must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (HSE/GED) • Candidate must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time • Candidate must be 18 years of age or older |
| Lived Experience Expectation | Candidate must have personal, lived experience in their own recovery from addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring substance and mental disorders. *With a minimum recovery time of one year (self-attested yet verified through references is required)* | Candidate must have personal, lived experience in their own recovery from addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring substance and mental disorders. *With a minimum recovery time of one year (self-attested yet verified through references is required)* |
| Training | 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals (offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute) or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (if CCAR RCA has been completed prior to July 1st, 2024; any CCAR RCA courses completed after July 1st, 2024 will not be accepted) 2-day Recovery Support Ethics course offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute. *These are the ONLY courses accepted* FIND TRAINING | 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals (offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute) or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (if CCAR RCA has been completed prior to July 1st, 2024; any CCAR RCA courses completed after July 1st, 2024 will not be accepted) 2-day Recovery Support Ethics course offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute. These are the ONLY courses accepted 6 hours of HIV/AIDS education, and 8 hours of education in the CPRC skills domains: Advocacy, Ethical Responsibility, Mentoring and Education, Recovery/Wellness Support, Harm Reduction. FIND TRAINING |
| Professional Recovery Support Experience | None | 500 hours of professional recovery support (volunteer or paid) and 25 additional hours of direct supervision |
| References | 2 personal | 2 professional |
| Exam | IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam | IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam |
| Recertification | The ICAADA CPRC-A is valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance and is non-renewable. Candidates are expected to obtain the ICAADA Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC) certification during the two (2) years of the CPRC-A certification validity. | The ICAADA CPRC is renewable every two (2) years from the date of issuance. To renew candidates must obtain 40 hours of recovery support specific education every two (2) years, including 6 clock-hours in recovery support (or non-clinical) ethics. |
| CRC-A (formerly CARC/CRC) | CRC (formerly CRC II) | |
| IC&RC Reciprocal | No | No |
| Indiana Medicaid Reimbursable | No | No |
| DWD Industry Promoted Certification | Yes | No |
| Pre-requisite | • Candidate must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (HSE/GED) • Candidate must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time • Candidate must be 18 years of age or older | • Candidate must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (HSE/GED) • Candidate must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time • Candidate must be 18 years of age or older |
| Lived Experience Expectation | Candidate must be an ally of people seeking and/or in recovery (persons in personal recovery and/or family members of someone seeking and/or in recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorders are not eligible for this certification) | Candidate must be an ally of people seeking and/or in recovery (persons in personal recovery and/or family members of someone seeking and/or in recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorders are not eligible for this certification) |
| Training | 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals (offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute) or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (if CCAR RCA has been completed prior to July 1st, 2024; any CCAR RCA courses completed after July 1st, 2024 will not be accepted) 2-day Recovery Support Ethics course offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute. *These are the ONLY courses accepted* FIND TRAINING | 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals (offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute) or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (if CCAR RCA has been completed prior to July 1st, 2024; any CCAR RCA courses completed after July 1st, 2024 will not be accepted) 2-day Recovery Support Ethics course offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute. These are the ONLY courses accepted 6 hours of HIV/AIDS education, and 8 hours of education in the CPRC skills domains: Advocacy, Ethical Responsibility, Mentoring and Education, Recovery/Wellness Support, Harm Reduction. FIND TRAINING |
| Professional Recovery Support Experience | None | 500 hours of professional recovery support (volunteer or paid) and 25 additional hours of direct supervision |
| References | 2 personal | 2 professional |
| Exam | IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam | IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam |
| Recertification | The ICAADA CRC-A is valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance and is non-renewable. Candidates are expected to obtain the ICAADA Certified Recovery Coach (CRC) certification during the two (2) years of the CRC-A certification validity. | The ICAADA CRC is renewable every two (2) years from the date of issuance. To renew candidates much obtain 40 hours of recovery support specific education every two (2) years, including 6 clock-hours in recovery support (or non-clinical) ethics. |
| CFCR-A | CFRC | |
| IC&RC Reciprocal | No | No |
| Indiana Medicaid Reimbursable | No | No |
| DWD Industry Promoted Certification | No | No |
| Pre-requisite | • Candidate must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (HSE/GED) • Candidate must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time • Candidate must be 18 years of age or older | • Candidate must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (HSE/GED) • Candidate must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time • Candidate must be 18 years of age or older |
| Lived Experience Expectation | Candidate must be a family member of someone who may or may not be seeking and/or in recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorders (persons in personal recovery are not eligible for this certification) | Candidate must be a family member of someone who may or may not be seeking and/or in recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorders (persons in personal recovery are not eligible for this certification) |
| Training | 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals (offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute) or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (if CCAR RCA has been completed prior to July 1st, 2024; any CCAR RCA courses completed after July 1st, 2024 will not be accepted) 2-day Recovery Support Ethics course offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute. *These are the ONLY courses accepted* FIND TRAINING | 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals (offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute) or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (if CCAR RCA has been completed prior to July 1st, 2024; any CCAR RCA courses completed after July 1st, 2024 will not be accepted) 2-day Recovery Support Ethics course offered through MHAI SWD Training Institute. These are the ONLY courses accepted 6 hours of HIV/AIDS education, and 8 hours of education in the CPRC skills domains: Advocacy, Ethical Responsibility, Mentoring and Education, Recovery/Wellness Support, Harm Reduction. FIND TRAINING |
| Professional Recovery Support Experience | None | 500 hours of professional recovery support (volunteer or paid) and 25 additional hours of direct supervision |
| References | 2 personal | 2 professional |
| Exam | IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam | IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam |
| Recertification | The ICAADA CFRC-A is valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance and is non-renewable. Candidates are expected to obtain the ICAADA Certified Family Recovery Coach (CFRC) certification during the two (2) years of the CFRC-A certification validity. | The ICAADA CFRC is renewable every two (2) years from the date of issuance. To renew candidates much obtain 40 hours of recovery support specific education every two (2) years, including 6 clock-hours in recovery support (or non-clinical) ethics. |
Recovery Coach Endorsement
Mental Health Endorsement (MH)
- Currently certified as a CPRC-A, CPRC, CRC-A, CRC, CFRC-A, or CFRC
- 15 hours of mental health specific education
- 8 hours of Adult Mental Health First Aid
- 2 hours of Suicide Prevention Education
- 5 additional hours of mental health specific training
Recertification:
- If you hold the CPRC-A, CRC-A, or CFRC-A:
- The GS endorsement is valid for two (2) years from date of issuance and is NON-RENEWABLE. Candidates must earn the next level to their certification (CPRC, CRC, CFRC) to earn the next level endorsement.
- If you hold the CPRC, CRC, or CFRC:
- The GS endorsement is valid for two (2) years from date of issuance and is renewable.
- Candidates must maintain their base certification (CPRC, CRC, or CFRC) in addition to earning seven (7) hours of problem gambling education during the period of their GS endorsement validity.
Gambling Support Endorsement (GS)
- Currently certified as a CPRC-A, CPRC, CRC-A, CRC, CFRC-A, or CFRC
- 15 hours of gambling specific education
Recertification:
- If you hold the CPRC-A, CRC-A, or CFRC-A:
- The GS endorsement is valid for two (2) years from date of issuance and is NON-RENEWABLE. Candidates must earn the next level to their certification (CPRC, CRC, CFRC) to earn the next level endorsement.
- If you hold the CPRC, CRC, or CFRC:
- The GS endorsement is valid for two (2) years from date of issuance and is renewable.
- Candidates must maintain their base certification (CPRC, CRC, or CFRC) in addition to earning seven (7) hours of problem gambling education during the period of their GS endorsement validity.
Forensic Support Endorsement (FS)
- Currently certified as a CPRC-A, CPRC, CRC-A, CRC, CFRC-A, or CFRC
- 15 hours of justice support related education
Recertification:
- If you hold the CPRC-A, CRC-A, or CFRC-A:
- The FS endorsement is valid for two (2) years from date of issuance and is NON-RENEWABLE. Candidates must earn the next level to their certification (CPRC, CRC, CFRC) to earn the next level endorsement.
- If you hold the CPRC, CRC, or CFRC:
- The FS endorsement is valid for two (2) years from date of issuance and is renewable.
- Candidates must maintain their base certification (CPRC, CRC, or CFRC) in addition to earning seven (7) hours of justice support (criminal justice) education during the period of their FS endorsement validity.
Earn certifications to treat and/or support individuals with behavioral health conditions.