Missouri

Is there a state-endorsed certification process?

Yes.

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

No, the certification is the same. There are peer specializations available. In order to take Peer Specialty training, one must hold a CPS, CRPR, FSP or YPS credential. Acronyms used: Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Reciprocal Peer Recovery (CRPR), Family Support Provider (FSP), Youth Peer Specialist (YPS).

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

High school diploma / high school education

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

A peer must attend a 5-day basic training and pass an online exam in order to apply to the Missouri Credentialing Board for the CPS credential.

What is the average cost for CPS training?

Training is provided at no cost to peers or providers. Peers or their employers will be responsible for all travel expenses (i.e., lodging, mileage, meals, etc.). The $75 credentialing fee is collected at the time of training registration.

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

Training is provided at no cost to peers or providers. Peers or their employers will be responsible for all travel expenses (i.e., lodging, mileage, meals, etc.). The $75 credentialing fee is collected at the time of training registration.

Other potential funding sources.

Training is provided at no cost to peers or providers. Peers or their employers will be responsible for all travel expenses (i.e., lodging, mileage, meals, etc.). The $75 credentialing fee is collected at the time of training registration.

Is there a state-wide certification test?

Yes.

What are the personal/professional requirements for certification, if they differ from attending the training?

Personal requirements: The applicant must currently reside and/or work/volunteer in the state of Missouri at least 51% of the time. Applicant must complete the Recovery Attestation Statement acknowledging being someone who is in personal recovery from a substance use and/or mental health disorder.

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

Yes, a Family Care Safety Registry Worker Registration form is required as part of the application. The FCSR conducts a background check.
The following items disqualify an individual from being credentialed with the MCB:
Is listed on the Department of Mental Health disqualification registry
Is listed on the employee disqualification list of the Dept. Health and Senior Services or Dept. of Social Service
Any crime against a minor
A person who has been convicted of, found guilty to, plead guilty to or nolo contendere to any of the Disqualifying Crime (s) Pursuant to Section 630.170, RSMo. The crime (s) will only disqualify an applicant if the crime (s) were a felony. Please view information about Section 630.170, RSMo on the MCB web site www.missouricb.com under the Disqualifying Crimes Link.
If an individual has applied for and been given an exception from the Department of Mental Health, the individual may apply for a MCB credential. Please upload proof of exception with your application.

What is the cost of the certification test?

The certification test is part of the training and is free.

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

Recertification of the peer credentials is on a two year cycle (every other year). Once a peer has passed the test it does not ever need to be retaken unless the peer lets the credential expire and ends up taking the training again.

Aside from any fees for the training or state-wide certification test, are there other certification fees/costs?

A peer might experience additional costs for continuing education hours, but there are many opportunities for free training in Missouri, both when already working as a peer, and also if not working as a peer.

Is there a statewide certification body?

Yes. They provide training and certification. Contact: Missouri Credentialing Board, 428 East Capitol--Floor 3, Jefferson City, MO 65101
573.616.2300 [email protected] https://missouricb.com/credentials/

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

Yes. They provide training and certification. Contact: Missouri Credentialing Board, 428 East Capitol--Floor 3, Jefferson City, MO 65101
573.616.2300 [email protected] https://missouricb.com/credentials/

Where can information be found for upcoming peer support trainings?

Yes: https://mopeerspecialist.com/ Currently twice a month. Trainings are a combination of virtual meetings and watching videos. Applicant must have technology available to be on a virtual meeting with the camera feature in order to be seen and interact with the trainers and other participants.

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

Yes: https://mopeerspecialist.com/ Currently twice a month. Trainings are a combination of virtual meetings and watching videos. Applicant must have technology available to be on a virtual meeting with the camera feature in order to be seen and interact with the trainers and other participants.

Training providers (vendors) and their contact information.

Missouri provides peer support training directly through the Missouri Credentialing Board: 428 East Capitol--Floor 3, Jefferson City, MO 65101
573.616.2300 [email protected] https://missouricb.com/credentials/

What are the continuing education requirements?

20 hours of continuing education must be earned every two years, including 6 hours of ethics training. Individuals are responsible for tracking. Everyone sends in a copy of the ethics training verification. All training certificates are required from individuals randomly selected for audit in a given year.

Who tracks CEUs?

20 hours of continuing education must be earned every two years, including 6 hours of ethics training. Individuals are responsible for tracking. Everyone sends in a copy of the ethics training verification. All training certificates are required from individuals randomly selected for audit in a given year.

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

The Missouri Credentialing Board offers two trainings, at this time both optional, for those who will be supervising a peer(s). Peer Supervision (6 hours) is available as an online course and can be taken anytime. Advanced Peer Supervision (16 hours) is taken either in person or on a virtual format with the trainers, who are also peers. The Advanced Peer Supervision curriculum was developed by the Addiction Technology and Transfer Center (ATTC).

Additional specializations available for certified peer specialists:

No, the certification is the same. There are peer specializations available. In order to take Peer Specialty training, one must hold a CPS, CRPR, FSP or YPS credential. Acronyms used: Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Reciprocal Peer Recovery (CRPR), Family Support Provider (FSP), Youth Peer Specialist (YPS).

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

No, the certification is the same. There are peer specializations available. In order to take Peer Specialty training, one must hold a CPS, CRPR, FSP or YPS credential. Acronyms used: Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Reciprocal Peer Recovery (CRPR), Family Support Provider (FSP), Youth Peer Specialist (YPS).

Are Certified Peer Specialists services Medicaid reimbursable?

Yes, Certified Peer Specialists are qualified to provide peer support in all programs where peer support is included in the service contract with the Department of Mental Health.

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

N/A

Is digital peer support available? Medicaid reimbursable?

Yes, Missouri allows Certified Peer Specialists to offer services virtually. Those virtual services are Medicaid reimbursable and the payment mechanism is the same as for in-person services.

Is there a statewide Peer Specialist organization?

Yes, Missouri Peer Specialist: https://mopeerspecialist.org, phone 573-616-2300, email address [email protected], 428 East Capitol 3rd Floor, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Also, https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/specialized-pro…

Name of Statewide Peer Specialists Organization*

Missouri Peer Specialist: https://mopeerspecialist.org, phone 573-616-2300, email address [email protected], 428 East Capitol 3rd Floor, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Also, https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/specialized-pro…

Peer Specialists Organization Website*

Missouri Peer Specialist: https://mopeerspecialist.org, phone 573-616-2300, email address [email protected], 428 East Capitol 3rd Floor, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Also, https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/specialized-pro…

Peer Specialists Organization Primary Contact*

Missouri Peer Specialist: https://mopeerspecialist.org, phone 573-616-2300, email address [email protected], 428 East Capitol 3rd Floor, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Also, https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/specialized-pro…

Other relevant/helpful contacts:*

N/A

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

Yes, the Missouri Credentialing Board has held conferences for peers the previous two years and will hold a peer conference again in 2024.

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

The Missouri Credentialing Board recognizes peers on the peer website, https://mopeerspecialist.com, in the form of Peer Spotlights.
The Department of Mental Health recognizes peers through the Mental Health Champoins' Award.

Helpful Websites/ References*

https;//mopeerspecialist.com/frequently-asked-questions/, https://missouricb.com/credentials/, https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/specialized-pro… rvices

Additional Info*

N/A

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

N/A

Is the Certification curriculum peer-led and/or peer developed?

In 2018, the Missouri Credentialing Board and Missouri Department of Mental Health worked together and with peers to develop a certification training curriculum for a combined (SUD and MH) peer position. Every year it is reviewed and updated by the peer trainers (who are themselves peers), the Missouri Credentialing Board and Department of Mental Health.

Are there any potential Barriers to certification and post certification employment?

See previous comments about "professional requirements" and "background checks" in previous questions #6 and #7.

Are certification trainings offered in-person, online, or hybrid?

Yes: https://mopeerspecialist.com/ Currently twice a month. Trainings are a combination of virtual meetings and watching videos. Applicant must have technology available to be on a virtual meeting with the camera feature in order to be seen and interact with the trainers and other participants.

Is there a recent count of the # of Peer Specialists in this state? What is the count, and the day this count was captured?

1,547 (2024)

How does the state/certification body approve Peer support training vendors?

Missouri provides peer support training directly through the Missouri Credentialing Board: 428 East Capitol--Floor 3, Jefferson City, MO 65101
573.616.2300 [email protected] https://missouricb.com/credentials/

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