Ohio

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Is there a state-endorsed certification process?: 

Yes. Certified as Peer Recovery Supporter

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

No

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

None found

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

18 years of age or older

Have lived experience with mental health and/or substance use disorder.

Willingness to share recovery story, personal lived experience with Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder and work or training experience.

Answer these on application:
What does recovery meant to you?
Describe your recovery journey
Why are you interested in becoming a Certified Peer Supporter?

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

If applying for the ""certification with work experience"" then required to have 3 years' work experience as a Peer Supporter, Recovery Coach, Peer Specialist, and/or Peer Navigator.

If applying for the ""certification with training"" then must submit 2 references.

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

For "certification with training", 40-hour in-person training through OhioMHAS training or through an outside organization whose training model is approved by OhioMHAS

Must also complete 11 courses through eBased Academy prior to 40-hour training.

What is the average cost for CPS training?: 
OhioMHAS training is free to participants.
Who is responsible for paying for training? (List all): 

OhioMHAS
Mental Health and Recovery Boards
Provider Organizations

Other potential funding sources.: 

For individuals in rural areas who need to travel for training there is potential for additional accommodation and mileage reimbursement through a Community Family Partnership Team scholarship.

Is there a state-wide certification test?: 
Yes
What are the personal/professional requirements for certification, if they differ from attending the training?: 

CPS must adhere to Conflict of Interest process and OhioMHAS code of ethics. Also required to abide by Ohio Mandated Reporting and Duty to Warn Requirements.

Candidates can apply for certification by taking OhioMHAS Training, or complete an OhioMHAS approved training, or have 3 years of lived experience in providing Peer Support. All are required to take the state certification exam.

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

Yes. The individual shall have a criminal records check that is free from any convictions, excluding minor traffic violations, and has been released from all sanctions, for three years prior to application. Except that individuals with a disqualifying offense shall be permanently excluded from certification and shall not be eligible for a waiver. FBI criminal record check if the individual has lived outside of the state.

What is the cost of the certification test?: 
Free
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?: 

Is there a statewide certification body?: 

Yes, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)

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

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3430

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

PRS Training Calendar on the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction services ""Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter Training and Professional Development"" website.

https://mha.ohio.gov/Health-Professionals/About-Mental-Health-and-Addict...

On average, how often are trainings held in your state?: 
Atleast monthly or sometimes more frequently.
Training providers (vendors) and their contact information.: 

Current OhioMHAS training is found at OhioMHAS Peer Recovery Supporter 40-hour Training Calendar

Other OhioMHAS approved training through:
Appalachian Consulting
Arizona Peer Specialist Training
Clark State Community College Peer Recovery Fundamentals Course
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) 40-hour training
National Association of Peer Specialists (N.A.P.S.)
Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio Peer Support Specialist Training
Michigan Department of Community Health Peer Support Specialist Training
North Carolina Peer Support Specialists training
Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Certified Peer Specialist trainings

What are the continuing education requirements?: 

30 hours of continuing education credits every two years. Re-certification application is to be submitted within 60 days of certification expiration. Re-certification also requires a new criminal record check.

Who tracks CEUs?: 
The individual must maintain copies of CEU certificates. OhioMHAS will audit 10% of re-certification applicants.
Is there a certification requirement for CPS Supervisors? If yes, provide details of requirements and relevant information.: 

A CPS may supervise other CPS' if they have 5 years experience as a peer specialist, peer navigator, peer specialist, peer recovery coach, or peer recovery supporter

Additional specializations available for certified peer specialists:: 



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

CPRS: Certified Peer Recovery Supporter

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable?: 

Yes, covered in a clinical context and person must be getting treatment services from an OhioMHAS certified entity

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

There is limited billing through Medicaid and Mental Health and Recovery Boards. Specialized Recovery Services benefit can fund peer services. See link below.
https://medicaid.ohio.gov/FOR-OHIOANS/Programs/Specialized-Recovery-Serv...

Is digital peer support available? Medicaid reimbursable?: 

Telehealth is currently available and Medicaid reimbursable. (with limits)

Is there a statewide Peer Specialist organization?: 

Formation of a statewide peer advocacy organization is in progress (Ohio Peer Run Organization - OhioPRO)

Name of Statewide Peer Specialists Organization: 



Peer Specialists Organization Website: 



Peer Specialists Organization Primary Contact: 



Other relevant/helpful contacts:: 

FAQ's:

Who at OhioMHAS should I send questions to regarding the 40 hour in-person peer training? peerservices@mha.ohio.gov

Who at OhioMHAS should I send questions to regarding becoming certified as an individual? ohiopeercertification@mha.ohio.gov

Who at OhioMHAS should I send questions to about becoming a certified community provider for peer recovery support services? LicCert@mha.ohio.gov

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

Yes. Ohio's Recovery Conference is held each year (though absent in 2020) and has sessions dedicated to peer support and information around mental health and addiction services.

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

Not at the state level, however there are many peer support recognitions throughout the community.

Helpful Websites/ References: 

https://mha.ohio.gov/Health-Professionals/About-Mental-Health-and-Addict...

https://mha.ohio.gov/Health-Professionals/About-Mental-Health-and-Addict...

https://mha.ohio.gov/Portals/0/assets/HealthProfessionals/About%20MH%20a...

Additional Info: 

Re-certification information: https://mha.ohio.gov/community-partners/peer-supporters/become-a-certifi...

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

Yes, most current 40-hour PRS trainings are online only. Likely a temporary measure but unsure.