Yes
There are different certifications for mental health peer specialists and substance use recovery peer specialists. There are other specializations for family partner peers, and justice involved peers. Their titles and acronyms are as follows:
Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) Certified Family Partner (CFP)
Re-entry Peer Specialist (JIPRS)
High school graduation or a GED from an accredited organization
Over 18
Personally experienced challenges with mental health/substance use/both
Willing to appropriately share recovery story
Able to demonstrate current self-directed recovery, and
Pass criminal history and registry checks
Peer has the time needed to participate in a challenging course of study.
Peer has the ability to travel away from their home for multi-day trainings.
Peer is ready to be involved in a class that requires active participation.
Peer can participate in a full 8-hour training day.
Peer can discuss their own recovery story and experience with others
Peer is able to listen to others’ stories and feel empathy for others’ experiences, even when it parallels painful experiences from peer's past.
Peer can arrange their own transportation needs.
Must meet the minimum qualifications:
be at least 18 years of age
have lived experience with a mental health condition, substance use issue, or both have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma
be willing to appropriately share your recovery story
be able to demonstrate current self-directed recovery, and pass criminal history and registry checks (link when live)
A peer specialist must complete required orientation and self-Assessment before applying to participate in core training.
The orientation items are posted on the HHSC website and training entity websites, https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/behavioral-health-services-provider…
The prices vary by training entity but run from $200 - $300 for the core plus $450 - $600 for the supplemental.
The prices vary by training entity but run from $200 - $300 for the core plus $450 - $600 for the supplemental.
The prices vary by training entity but run from $200 - $300 for the core plus $450 - $600 for the supplemental.
There is a knowledge assessment administered at the end of the training for each certification. The knowledge assessment is administered by the training entity.
MHPS requires at least once a week supervisions by a Certified Peer Supervisor for the first six months (Initial Certification) and at least once monthly during the 2 year certification.
Yes, the peer specialist certification does require a background check. This consists of information about criminal history, charges, indictments, convictions, probation, etc. The details and scale of offenses located in Texas Administrative Code, Rule §354.3201, Criminal History and Registry Checks.
Certification may be denied for a period of time for offenses related to the duties and responsibilities of a peer specialist. The period of denial is differentiated based on the severity of the charge. The charges are categorized on a scale from 1-5, 1 is most severe, 5 is least severe. The range is from 3 years to a lifetime. Here is a table of the schedule of offenses, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/fids/201805345-1.pdf.
There is an appeals and exceptions process for applicants that are denied certification . Exceptions are possible for extraordinary or extenuating circumstances. Details about this are available from the Texas Certification Board, www.tcbap.org.
There is also the provisional, “Intern” credential for applicants who are not able to meet the background check qualifications. It is not Medicaid billable.
There is a knowledge assessment administered at the end of the training for each certification. The knowledge assessment is administered by the training entity.
Peer specialist certification must be renewed every two years by applying to the Texas Certification Board and providing the following documentation:
• 20 continuing education (CE) hours relevant to the skills/services provided by a peer specialist from approved provider
• Criminal history and registry background checks
The fee for certification or recertification is $60. There is also a fee for the background check.
The state-wide certification entity is The Texas Certification Board https://www.tcbap.org/. There responsibility is to provide endorsement that all of the requirements for certification such as training, knowledge assessment, background checks, orientation and self-assessment, attestation of ethical compliance, etc. have been met. They are also responsible for assessing ethics violations, sanctions, appeals and exceptions. They are also responsible for certifying training entities.
The state-wide certification entity is The Texas Certification Board https://www.tcbap.org/. There responsibility is to provide endorsement that all of the requirements for certification such as training, knowledge assessment, background checks, orientation and self-assessment, attestation of ethical compliance, etc. have been met. They are also responsible for assessing ethics violations, sanctions, appeals and exceptions. They are also responsible for certifying training entities.
Our peer workforce support hub, PeerForce has training calendar pages where courses offered by certified training entities are listed, https://peerforce.org/
Another option is to search the training entity list on the Texas Certification Board website for offerings, https://www.tcbap.org/page/trainingentities Also, our centralized training infrastructure has an online training calendar. The offerings here are primarily continuing education trainings, but some certification trainings are listed as well, https://store.centralizedtraining.com/catalog?pagename=In-person-and-vi….
The frequency and modalities of the trainings vary by training entity.
Our peer workforce support hub, PeerForce has training calendar pages where courses offered by certified training entities are listed, https://peerforce.org/
Another option is to search the training entity list on the Texas Certification Board website for offerings, https://www.tcbap.org/page/trainingentities Also, our centralized training infrastructure has an online training calendar. The offerings here are primarily continuing education trainings, but some certification trainings are listed as well, https://store.centralizedtraining.com/catalog?pagename=In-person-and-vi….
The frequency and modalities of the trainings vary by training entity.
Texas provides some training for certification through our centralized training infrastructure, https://www.centralizedtraining.com/. This is a partnership with the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (UTHSCSA) to provide access to initial and continuing education training through an online portal.
Most of the training for peer specialist certification is provided by training entities that must meet requirements outlined in Texas Administrative Code. The list of training entities is too numerous to include here but can be accessed on the TCB website at https://www.tcbap.org/page/trainingentities.
A mental health peer specialist, certified family partner, or recovery support peer specialist must obtain at least 20 hours of training each certification period, of which three hours must be related to the ethical responsibilities of a peer specialist.
Renewal training must be relevant to the skills required of, or services provided by, a peer specialist. Renewal training may include classroom training, webinars, online training, and conferences. Renewal training may be obtained through a certified training entity; training pre-approved by a certification entity; or training approved for continuing education for a mental health or substance use disorder professional, if the training is relevant to the skills required or services provided by a peer specialist.
Someone who is both a peer specialist and a peer specialist supervisor may include the six hours of training required each certification period relating to Peer Specialist Supervisor Certification Renewal Training as part of the 20 hours of continuing education (renewal training).
CEUs should be tracked by the individual, and documentation of each supplemental training should be provided to the certification entity when re-certifying.
A mental health peer specialist, certified family partner, or recovery support peer specialist must obtain at least 20 hours of training each certification period, of which three hours must be related to the ethical responsibilities of a peer specialist.
Renewal training must be relevant to the skills required of, or services provided by, a peer specialist. Renewal training may include classroom training, webinars, online training, and conferences. Renewal training may be obtained through a certified training entity; training pre-approved by a certification entity; or training approved for continuing education for a mental health or substance use disorder professional, if the training is relevant to the skills required or services provided by a peer specialist.
Someone who is both a peer specialist and a peer specialist supervisor may include the six hours of training required each certification period relating to Peer Specialist Supervisor Certification Renewal Training as part of the 20 hours of continuing education (renewal training).
CEUs should be tracked by the individual, and documentation of each supplemental training should be provided to the certification entity when re-certifying.
Yes, (a) A peer specialist supervisor must:
(1) be at least 18 years of age;
(2) be a:
(A) qualified credentialed counselor (QCC);
(B) licensed practitioner of the healing arts (LPHA);
(C) Qualified Mental Health Professional-Community Services, with a QCC or LPHA supervising the QMHP-CS; or
(D) QPS--Qualified Peer Supervisor, with a QCC or LPHA supervising the QPS;
(3) pass criminal history and registry checks.
A supervisor must successfully complete supervisory training for peer specialist services and the recovery model from a certified training entity before supervising a peer specialist. Supervisor training must include instruction about:
•The distinction between peer support and therapy.
•The role of peer support in building and sustaining recovery goals.
•Advocacy for peer specialists and peer specialist services.
•Job performance review, including strengths-based, timely, and respectful feedback.
•Supervisory skills, such as how to work with a variety of personality types and communication styles.
After completing training, each candidate must successfully complete a knowledge assessment before receiving approval to supervise a peer specialist from a certified training entity. Peer specialist supervisor certification must be renewed every two years, which requires continuing education hours.
There are different certifications for mental health peer specialists and substance use recovery peer specialists. There are other specializations for family partner peers, and justice involved peers. Their titles and acronyms are as follows:
Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) Certified Family Partner (CFP)
Re-entry Peer Specialist (JIPRS)
There are different certifications for mental health peer specialists and substance use recovery peer specialists. There are other specializations for family partner peers, and justice involved peers. Their titles and acronyms are as follows:
Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) Certified Family Partner (CFP)
Re-entry Peer Specialist (JIPRS)
Peer specialist services became a Medicaid reimbursable benefit on January 1, 2019.
Peer specialists who are employed by the following Medicaid-enrolled providers may deliver peer specialist services as part of a coordinated, comprehensive, and individualized approach to treating a client’s mental health condition and/or substance use disorder:
• Clinic or group practices treating behavioral health conditions
• Physicians (M.D.s), osteopaths (D.O.s), nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and physician assistants (PAs) treating behavioral health conditions
• Psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors
• Comprehensive provider agencies of targeted case management and mental health rehabilitative services
• Local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities
• Chemical dependency treatment facilities
• Federally qualified health clinics (FQHCs)
• Rural health clinics (RHCs)
Only clinic/group practices or individual health care providers (M.D., D.O, NP, CNS, and PA) with a behavioral health focus may be reimbursed for peer specialist services.
Peer specialist services became a Medicaid reimbursable benefit on January 1, 2019.
Peer specialists who are employed by the following Medicaid-enrolled providers may deliver peer specialist services as part of a coordinated, comprehensive, and individualized approach to treating a client’s mental health condition and/or substance use disorder:
• Clinic or group practices treating behavioral health conditions
• Physicians (M.D.s), osteopaths (D.O.s), nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and physician assistants (PAs) treating behavioral health conditions
• Psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors
• Comprehensive provider agencies of targeted case management and mental health rehabilitative services
• Local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities
• Chemical dependency treatment facilities
• Federally qualified health clinics (FQHCs)
• Rural health clinics (RHCs)
Only clinic/group practices or individual health care providers (M.D., D.O, NP, CNS, and PA) with a behavioral health focus may be reimbursed for peer specialist services.
Peer service providers may use synchronous audio-visual technology to deliver peer support services. It is Medicaid-Reimbursable. Per the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual — July 2023, telehealth is still allowable either by video or audio so long as it meets the following standards:
It is clinically appropriate and safe, as determined by the provider agreed to by the person receiving services
documented in the person-centered recovery plan of the person receiving services
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
PeerForce website, www.peerforce.org, [email protected] TCB website, www.tcbap.org, [email protected]
HHS website, www.hhs.texas.gov, [email protected]
Peerfest, www.peerfest.org
N/A
Texas HHS Peer Recovery Webpage:
https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/behavioral-he…
Texas Administrative Code https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti…
Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual http://www.tmhp.com/Pages/default.aspx Texas Certification Board
https://www.tcbap.org/page/certification
Texas Peer Specialist Support Hub, PeerForce http://www.peerforce.org
Re-Entry Peer Specialists is a proprietary stand-alone training and certification program for people with shared lived experience of incarceration AND mental health and/or substance use challenges. Reentry Peer Specialists provide support to other people with criminal justice involvement. This certification is offered at Via Hope and certified by the Texas Certification Board.
Yes, Texas has a state-endorsed certification process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rule flexibilities were enacted permitting virtual platforms to be used in training, some aspects of service delivery, and supervision during internship in the certification process. These were extended indefinitely after the pandemic.
The Recovery Support Peer Specialist training curriculum was originally adapted from the CCAR curriculum through a stakeholder informed process that included state agency staff, university partner SMEs, and peer SMEs.
Yes, the peer specialist certification does require a background check. This consists of information about criminal history, charges, indictments, convictions, probation, etc. The details and scale of offenses located in Texas Administrative Code, Rule §354.3201, Criminal History and Registry Checks.
Certification may be denied for a period of time for offenses related to the duties and responsibilities of a peer specialist. The period of denial is differentiated based on the severity of the charge. The charges are categorized on a scale from 1-5, 1 is most severe, 5 is least severe. The range is from 3 years to a lifetime. Here is a table of the schedule of offenses, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/fids/201805345-1.pdf.
There is an appeals and exceptions process for applicants that are denied certification . Exceptions are possible for extraordinary or extenuating circumstances. Details about this are available from the Texas Certification Board, www.tcbap.org.
There is also the provisional, “Intern” credential for applicants who are not able to meet the background check qualifications. It is not Medicaid billable. & Certification may be denied for offenses related to the duties and responsibilities of a peer specialist as disclosed on a background check that is required for certification.
• The period of denial is differentiated based on the severity of the charge.
• The charges are categorized on a scale from 1-5, 1 is most severe, 5 is least severe.
• The range is from 3 years to a lifetime.
• The details and scale of offenses located in Texas Administrative Code.
• There is an appeals and exceptions process for applicants that are denied certification.
• Exceptions are possible for extraordinary or extenuating circumstances.
• There is also a provisional, “Intern” credential for applicants who are not able to meet the background check qualifications.
Our peer workforce support hub, PeerForce has training calendar pages where courses offered by certified training entities are listed, https://peerforce.org/
Another option is to search the training entity list on the Texas Certification Board website for offerings, https://www.tcbap.org/page/trainingentities Also, our centralized training infrastructure has an online training calendar. The offerings here are primarily continuing education trainings, but some certification trainings are listed as well, https://store.centralizedtraining.com/catalog?pagename=In-person-and-vi….
The frequency and modalities of the trainings vary by training entity.
1,652 (2024)
Texas provides some training for certification through our centralized training infrastructure, https://www.centralizedtraining.com/. This is a partnership with the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (UTHSCSA) to provide access to initial and continuing education training through an online portal.
Most of the training for peer specialist certification is provided by training entities that must meet requirements outlined in Texas Administrative Code. The list of training entities is too numerous to include here but can be accessed on the TCB website at https://www.tcbap.org/page/trainingentities.
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