The Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) designation is for those who have personal experience with mental health or substance use challenges and have specialized training to provide valuable support to others facing similar struggles. CRPS’ play a unique and vital role in the mental health and substance use disorder care system by:
- Offering relatable support based on lived experience, fostering empathy, and understanding.
- Working alongside licensed therapists and other behavioral health professionals, complementing traditional treatment approaches.
- Helping individuals develop recovery goals, identify personal strengths, and overcome barriers to recovery.
- Promoting self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment in self-directed recovery.
Credential Structure
In Florida, we recognize the critical role of lived experience in effective peer support. All applicants earn the Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) credential and a lived experience endorsement. The endorsement approach allows peers to signify their lived experience as it relates to peer support.
- All Certified Recovery Peer Specialists have demonstrated competency in Advocacy, Recovery Support, Mentoring, and Professional Responsibility.
- CRPS endorsements reflect the peer’s specific lived experiences, including adult, family, veteran, youth, and criminal justice categories.
CRPS Credential Requirements
At a minimum, CRPS applicants must hold:
- a high school diploma or higher
- complete 40 hours of peer specialist training
- have 500 hours of supervised work experience
- submit 3 letters of recommendation
- pass the 100-item multiple-choice exam
Certification Application Routes
There are two pathways to apply for the CRPS credential: the Standard Application pathway and the Provisional Application pathway.
Please apply through the standard application pathway if you have completed all requirements.
If you have completed all requirements except for supervised work experience, you are eligible to earn and hold provisional certification while you complete the supervised work experience necessary for full certification.