New Jersey

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Is there a state-endorsed certification process?: 

Yes, the Certified Recovery Support Practitioner is for mental health consumers who are working or seeking to work in the mental health and /or co-occurring fields.

Does the state differentiate between Mental Health Peer Support Specialists and Substance Use Peer Support Specialists?: 

Yes, Mental Health Peer Support Specialists are called "Recovery Support Practitioners" and SUD peers specialists are called "Peer Recovery Specialist".

What are the educational requirements to apply for a peer specialist training program?: 



What are the personal requirements to apply for a peer specialist training program?: 



What are the professional requirements needed to apply for a peer specialist training program?: 



What are the training requirements to become a Certified Peer Specialist?: 

* Completion of the 108 hour CORE training courses from Consumer Connections program. (Certification of completion must be included with the application)
* Completion of an 18 hour Wellness and Recovery Action Plan from Consumer Connections. (Certificate of completion must be included with the application)

What is the average cost for CPS training?: 

Who is responsible for paying for training? (List all): 



Other potential funding sources.: 



Is there a state-wide certification test?: 
Yes, however there are two branching certifications-- ICPRS: Hold a CPRS and pass the IC&RC PRS Exam (reciprocal through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium), and CPRS for those who did not take the test, only valid in NJ.
What are the personal/professional requirements for certification, if they differ from attending the training?: 

Minimum of 500 hours of mental health work related experience. Experience can be paid, volunteered, or a combination of both. Work experience must be within three (3) years from the date of submission of this application.
Completion of a qualified 110 hour Supervised Practicum within a program licensed or state funded, to provide Mental Health Services taken within five (5) years from the date of submission of this application.

Is a background check required? If so, is a criminal record a disqualification for certification?: 



What is the cost of the certification test?: 

Does the certification test need to be taken regularly to maintain certification?: 

No

Aside from any fees for the training or state-wide certification test, are there other certification fees/costs?: 
$175 initial application fee $175 recertification fee
Is there a statewide certification body?: 

Yes

Please provide as much information about the certification board/body as possible.: 

The Certification Board of New Jersey
180 A Tices Lane #205
East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Where can information be found for upcoming peer support trainings?: 

https://www.mhanj.org/consumer-connections/

Consumer Connections (training program): Chrissy Schayer, Director, at (732) 451-4457 Ext. 950

On average, how often are trainings held in your state?: 

Training providers (vendors) and their contact information.: 

Mental Health Association of New Jersey: Consumer Connections is a nationally recognized program which recruits, trains, and supports consumers of mental health services working to become providers of mental health services. The program works with mental health providers in New Jersey to expand employment opportunities for consumer providers. Consumer Connections offers courses which meet the educational requirements and lead to Certification as a Recovery Support Practitioner (CRSP).

https://www.mhanj.org/consumer-connections/

For more information on Consumer Connections please email [email protected]; or contact Chrissy Schayer, Director, at (732) 451-4457 Ext. 950

What are the continuing education requirements?: 

* 24 hours of community mental health related continuing education every two years. Hours must fall within the two-year period between recertifications.

Who tracks CEUs?: 

Is there a certification requirement for CPS Supervisors? If yes, provide details of requirements and relevant information.: 



Additional specializations available for certified peer specialists:: 



What are the different acronyms used to distinguish peer supporters and specific peer support specialties?: 



Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable?: 



How are peer support services paid for by the state? What specific Medicaid waivers are used, if any?: 



Is digital peer support available? Medicaid reimbursable?: 



Is there a statewide Peer Specialist organization?: 

No

Name of Statewide Peer Specialists Organization: 



Peer Specialists Organization Website: 



Peer Specialists Organization Primary Contact: 



Other relevant/helpful contacts:: 



Are there conferences held in the state specifically for Peer Supporters?: 



Are there recognition or award opportunities for peer support specialists or Substance Use Peer Support Specialists?: 



Helpful Websites/ References: 

https://certbd.org/immediately-delay-the-requirement-for-the-icrc-peer-r...

http://certbd.org/site/wp-content/uploads/Certified-Recover-Support-Prac...

https://certbd.org/simplified-cprs-exam-question/

https://certbd.org/applications/

If there are recent changes to the certification process due to COVID-19, are the changes permanent, temporary or other?: 

For those providers enrolling peer recovery support specialists with one (1) year lived experience or having worked in the addictions field for 2 to 4 years, but lacking certification as a CPRS, CRSP, NCPRSS or certification by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) with a credential in peer recovery, the 7/1/20 requirement for peers having obtained one of these certifications shall be temporarily suspended until January 1, 2021 to allow peers who are pending certification time to complete the certification class room and/or testing requirements.

https://certbd.org/covid-19-and-certification-of-peer-recovery-support/