Rhode Island

Yes

Only one certification. There is specialized peer support happening in RI with many populations, but the people with lived experience who do that work are all called peers, regardless of the specific population they're serving.

A minimum high school diploma/GED from an accredited school. Veterans may provide discharge documentation in lieu of a High School Diploma/GED.

Must identify as someone with personal, lived experience in their own recovery or experience as a family member or loved one.

Must complete online application and follow-up interview for training registry.

Education: 46 hours of education specific to Peer Recovery Specialist domains:
10 hours must be in the Advocacy domain;
10 hours must be in the Mentoring/Education domain;
10 hours must be in the Recovery/Wellness Support domain
16 hours must be in the Ethical Responsibility domain.

BHDDH covers the full cost of the training. There is no fee for participants.

BHDDH covers the full cost of the training. There is no fee for participants.

BHDDH covers the full cost of the training. There is no fee for participants.

Yes, RI Certification Board requires individuals to take and pass the IC&RC Peer Recovery Examination, a computer based, 75 multiple-choice questions exam. Offered on an on-demand basis at an approved testing site. There are several sites in the state.

Must have 500 hours of volunteer or paid experience specific to peer recovery services and 25 supervised hours specific to the domains (these 25 hours may be included in the total experience requirement).
Read and understand RICB Code of Ethical Conduct.

While felonies and disciplinary actions from other certification/licensing entities may not prohibit certification, documentation is required to be submitted at the time of application. Certification through the Board does not mean a professional should not disclose this information to potential employers and does not in any way exonerate charges.

Yes, included in the $175 application fee. Retest and/or Exam Cancellation Fees: $100

CPRS must recertify every two years. They must complete 20 hours of continuing education relevant to peer support and recovery, and 6 of those hours must be focused on ethics. To recertify, they simply send in their recertification application that lists out how they met their continuing education requirements.

N/A

Yes, the RICB is the statewide certification body. They set the requirements for the certification, monitor the field for changes, and administer the training.

Yes, the RICB is the statewide certification body. They set the requirements for the certification, monitor the field for changes, and administer the training.

Currently, there is no long-term training vendor. Check the state website: www.ricertboard.org/certified-peer-recovery-specialist-cprs

Currently, there is no long-term training vendor. Check state website: www.ricertboard.org/certified-peer-recovery-specialist-cprs

Currently, there is no long-term training vendor. Check the state website: www.ricertboard.org/certified-peer-recovery-specialist-cprs

Must complete 20 hours relevant to peer recovery including 6 hours in ethics, every two years

Individuals are in charge of tracking their CEUs and submitting required documentation to RI Certification Board every two years.

RI has designed a separate certification path for CPRS Supervisors and we're almost ready to roll it out as of early 2024. BHDDH contracted with the RICB to develop a credential CPRS Supervisors, and they did, with significant input from subject matter experts. C4 Innovations is currently finishing up a training curriculum that covers requirements for this new CPRS Supervisor certification. Once this new CPRS Supervisor is available to the public, the RI Certification Board

These are no specific specializations but specific populations are performing specialized peer suppiort in RI.

N/A

Yes, Peer Recovery Specialists must meet the
qualifications in the CMS State Medicaid Director Letter, #07-011,
https://www.medicaid.gov/Federal-Policy-Guidance/downloads/SMD081507A.p…

Medicaid - Waiver 1115

Yes they can provide services virtually and be reimbursed by Medicaid.

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Sarah Saint Laurent at BHDDH, [email protected]

Unknown

Unknown

N/A

N/A

We do have a state endorsed certification process, administered by the Rhode Island Certification Board (RICB). COVID did not change this process.

The certification process itself was developed by the RICB with significant input from subject matter experts (people with lived experience). The training curriculum that meets the 46 hours of training requirements set forth by RICB is new, and was recently developed by C4 Innovations through a contract with BHDDH. C4 conducted stakeholder feedback groups with peers that informed the content of the curriculum. The beta test for this new 46-hour PRS training is scheduled for April 2024, and RI plans to train community partners to deliver this training after that.

Dictated by RICB, not BHDDH. RICB website only says "While felonies and disciplinary actions from other certification/licensing entities may not prohibit certification, documentation is required to be submitted at the time of application. Certification through RICB does not mean a professional should not disclose this information to potential employers and does not in any way exonerate charges."

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