Recovery Coach Career Pathways

Peer Recovery Support professionals are people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process. (SAMHSA 2017)

Learn more about each credential and what is required for each:

RequirementsCertified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC)Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach I (CAPRC I)Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach II (CAPRC II)
Pre-requisiteAllies, friends and/or loved ones of person seeking and/or in recoveryPersonal, lived experience in their own recovery from addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring substance and mental disorders.Personal, lived experience in their own recovery from addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring substance and mental disorders.
Previous EducationHigh school diploma or HSEHigh school diploma or HSEHigh school diploma or HSE
Training• Minimum 30 hours of recovery support fundamentals specific education (MHAI SWD Training Institute 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals training OR CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training completed prior to July 1st, 2024, are the only courses accepted)
• 16 hours of recovery support ethical responsibility specific education (MHAI SWD Training Institute 2-day Recovery Support Ethics is the only course accepted)

FIND TRAINING		• Minimum 30 hours of recovery support fundamentals specific education (MHAI SWD Training Institute 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals training OR CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training completed prior to July 1st, 2024, are the only courses accepted)
• 16 hours of recovery support ethical responsibility specific education (MHAI SWD Training Institute 2-day Recovery Support Ethics is the only course accepted)

FIND TRAINING		• Minimum 30 hours of recovery support fundamentals specific education (MHAI SWD Training Institute 5-day Recovery Support Fundamentals training OR CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training completed prior to July 1st, 2024, OR DMHA CHW/CRS (now CPSP) are the only courses accepted)
• 16 hours of recovery support ethical responsibility specific education (MHAI SWD Training Institute 2-day Recovery Support Ethics is the only course accepted)
• 6 hours of HIV/AIDS specific education
• 6 hours of cultural competency education

FIND TRAINING
Recovery Time ExpectationNONEOne year self-attestedOne year self-attested
Professional ExperienceNONENONE500 hours of peer support (volunteer or paid) and 25 hours of direct supervision
References2 personal 2 personal 2 professional 
ExamIC&RC Peer Recovery ExamIC&RC Peer Recovery ExamIC&RC Peer Recovery Exam
Re-Certification• 40 hours of recovery support specific education every two year, including 6 clock-hours in recovery support (or non-clinical) ethics and 6 clock-hours in cultural competency educationNon-renewable after 2 years• 40 hours of recovery coach domain specific education every two year, including 6 clock-hours in recovery support (or non-clinical) ethics and 6 clock-hours in cultural competency education

Recovery Coach Endorsement

Mental Health Endorsement (MH)
  • Currently certified as a CAPRC I/II or CARC
  • 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
  • Re-certification every two years: 7 Mental Health education CEU and maintain CAPRC/CARC credential
Learn more CAPRC I-MH Learn more CAPRC II-MH Learn more CARC-MH
Gambling Support Endorsement (GS)
  • Currently certified as a CAPRC I/II or CARC
  • 15 hours of gambling specific education
  • Re-certification every two-years: 7 Problem Gambling CEU and maintain CAPRC/CARC credential
Learn more CAPRC I-GS Learn more CAPRC II-GS Learn more CARC-GS
Forensic Support Endorsement (FS)
  • Currently certified as a CAPRC I/II or CARC
  • 15 hours of justice support related education
  • Re-certification every two-years: 7 Justice Support related CEU and maintain CAPRC/CARC credential
Learn more CAPRC I-FS Learn more CAPRC II-FS Learn more CARC-FS