Peer Recovery (PR) 

Standards 

The IC&RC standards represent the minimum criteria for certification/licensure. Member boards affiliated with the IC&RC may require additional standards that reflect local mandates, regulations, and/or best practices. Please consult with your local IC&RC Member board for specific standards and requirements applicable to your jurisdiction.

Experience 

500 hours of volunteer or paid work experience specific to the domains.

Education 

High school diploma or jurisdictionally certified high school equivalency AND 46 hours specific to the domains, with 10 hours each in the domains of Advocacy, Mentoring/Education, and Recovery/Wellness Support and 16 hours in the domain of Ethical Responsibility. 

Supervision 

25 hours of supervision specific to the domains. Supervision must be provided by an organization’s documented and qualified supervisory staff per job description. 

Jurisdiction 

Individuals must live or work at least 51% of the time in the Member Boards jurisdiction (“at the time of application & testing”) 

Examination 

Applicants must pass the IC&RC Peer Recovery Examination.

Code of Ethics 

The applicant must sign a Peer Recovery code of ethics statement or an affirmation that the applicant has read and will abide by the code of ethics. 

Recertification 

20 hours of continuing education earned every two years, including six hours in ethics. 

Peer Recovery Credential Overview 

IC&RC has put together a Peer Recovery Overview document. This 8 page document provides boards with the salient information to talk to stakeholders in their jurisdiction about the credential, the role Peer services, the credential standards, how the examination is developed and the Job Analysis (JA). 

Peer Recovery Overview

Job Analysis 

A JA study is the methodical process of determining what elements of practice and knowledge are important to assess as part of a certification examination. It is the process that directly links an examination score to a specific job. JAs also ensure that examinations are valid, reliable, and legally defensible. To stay relevant to current trends and practices, a JA must be updated every five to seven years. 

Peer Supervisor Competencies 

Peer delivered services differ from traditional behavioral healthcare. This newly created Supervision Manual encompasses some of the philosophical differences within this new professional domain, and practical guidelines for managing the delivery of peer services. 

Peer Supervisor Competencies 

IC&RC Certified Peer Fact Sheet

The one-page document was developed to assist boards in communicating the need and purpose for a certification for Peers. 

Peer Fact Sheet