Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

CPRS Requirements

A summary of the current requirements to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Maryland, from initial eligibility through your MABPCB certification application.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility requirements

Be at least 18 years old
Live in Maryland, or work in Maryland at least 51% of the time
Self-identify as being in long-term recovery from a mental health and/or substance use disorder for at least two years
Have a high school diploma or GED
Approved Education

50 hours of approved CPRS training

Applicants must complete 50 hours of approved CPRS education through an MABPCB-approved provider, covering five required competency areas:

50 total hours required
Ethical Responsibility
16 hrs
Advocacy
10 hrs
Mentoring / Education
10 hrs
Recovery / Wellness
10 hrs
Harm Reduction
4 hrs
The 50 hours must include an approved CORE curriculum of at least 30 hours. CORE hours count toward the 50-hour total — they are not additional hours on top of it.
Beyond the Classroom

Documented experience & examination

In addition to the education requirement, applicants must document the following:

500
Service Hours
Paid or volunteer peer recovery support experience, completed within the previous two years
30
Supervision Hours
From an MABPCB Registered Peer Supervisor
IC&RC
Exam
Successful completion of the IC&RC Peer Recovery examination

The 30 supervision hours are divided evenly across six categories:

Advocacy
5 hrs
Ethical Responsibility
5 hrs
Mentoring / Education
5 hrs
Recovery / Wellness
5 hrs
Harm Reduction
5 hrs
General / Self-Care
5 hrs
Getting Started

Earning your hours through AHEC West

If you're not yet working as a Peer Recovery Specialist, AHEC West offers volunteer opportunities that can count toward your 500 required service hours. If you're already working in a peer recovery role but haven't yet accumulated enough hours to apply for testing, those hours count too.

Start with volunteer onboarding. Contact AHEC West to get started as a volunteer.
Find your placement. Once onboarded, our team can connect you with opportunities at The Possibility Shop, Hope Station, or during community outreach events.
Complete your supervision hours alongside your service hours. AHEC West has Registered Peer Supervisors (RPS) on staff able to provide your required 30 hours of supervision.
Live outside the Western Maryland region? You'll need to find volunteer or work opportunities with local organizations in your area to complete your 500 service hours. Supervision may be available remotely through AHEC West — reach out to ask about current availability.
In Simple Terms
50 hrs
Approved training
+
500 hrs
Service experience
+
30 hrs
Supervision
+
Pass
IC&RC exam
Final Step

Submit your application

Once you've completed your training, service hours, supervision, and the IC&RC exam, applicants must submit the required documentation and certification application to the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-Health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB).

Ready to start toward your 50 training hours?
AHEC West's CPRS Training covers your required education hours through the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy®, Mental Health First Aid, and self-paced coursework.
Explore CPRS Training → Ask a Question