Indiana Certified Peer Support Professionals
Become a new Indiana Certified Peer Support Professional
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Certified Peer Support Professional Renewals - Coming soon!
Click here to learn moreWhat is a Certified Peer Support Professional?
In Indiana, a Certified Peer Support Professional (CPSP) is an individual who utilizes their lived experience combined with formal training to instill hope, inspire change, and support other individuals through similar experiences, using personal connection, person centered care, and their shared understanding to navigate their life in recovery.
Why Peers
Peers provide a low barrier access point to support, treatment, connection and resource navigation. Peers are often the first behavioral health access point for individuals in jails, hospitals and the community. Through Recovery Community Organizations, Recovery Community Centers, Outreach Teams, Crisis Teams and embedded workforce recovery groups peers act as a bridge to other community services.
Certified Peer Support Professional FAQs
- 1) Why is the peer certification changing?
DMHA is combining Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, Co-Occurring and Family wellness training for peers to ensure a comprehensive approach to recovery.
- 2) Will I need to get re-certified or take a new test if I’m already a Certified Recovery Specialist?
If you are currently certified as a Community Health Worker/Certified Recovery Specialist, you will inherit the new CPSP at time of renewal. All existing CHW/CRS’s will be issued new CPSP certificates at time of CHW/CRS renewal and will not need to take an exam.
- 3) Is the new Certified Peer Support Professional certification different from my current Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach I or II credential?
Yes, these are two different credentials. The Certified Peer Support Professional (CPSP) certification is issued and monitored by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) while the CAPRC I and CAPRC II credential is issued and monitored by ICAADA.
- 4) Is the CPSP state certification reimbursed through Medicaid?
Yes. CPSP peer support services are reimbursed through Medicaid in Indiana.
- 5) What are the personal requirements to apply to be a Certified Peer Support Professional?
- 18 years of age or older.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Individual living in recovery with a mental health and/or substance use condition.
(and/or) - Family member to another person living with a mental health and/or substance use condition.
- Must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time.
- 6) What are the training requirements for a Certified Peer Support Professional certification?
The CPSP curriculum requires 48 hours of training and a proctored examination, both of which occur at specific statewide Ivy Tech locations.
- 7) What are the continuing education requirements for maintaining the Certified Peer Support Professional certification?
CPSP certifications will renew every two years. Each two-year renewal cycle requires 40 CEU’s (20 CEU’s per year) to remain active. All CPSPs are required to complete an annual DMHA approved Ethics training which can be used towards CEUs.
- 8) Can I still provide peer support services with my current peer support credential? If yes, then how long?
Yes. If an individual has an active CHW/CRS certificate, the certification is valid through time of renewal- June 2024. Required CEUs must be submitted at renewal and a CPSP certification will be issued. Going forward, continuing education hours and re-certification will fall under the guidelines of the CPSP.
- 9) How will I process my re-certification?
All current CHW/CRS individuals will receive email instructions to process their renewal through Certemy. Renewals for current CHW/CRS are due in June 2024.
- 10) Will I receive a new certificate in the mail with the new name on it to give to my employer?
New CPSP Certificates will be available to print in your Certemy account following the passing of a CPSP examination or at time of renewal for existing CHW/CRS individuals.
- 11) Who do I contact if I have other questions and/or my employer has concerns I can’t answer about my certification?
All concerns regarding certification should be directed to DMHA at peersupport@fssa.in.gov.
- 12) Will I need a new document to track CEU’s for my continuing education for recertification?
Individuals should continue using existing documents to track CEU’s through June 2024. All CEUs beyond that time will be uploaded and tracked in Certemy.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration – Division of Mental Health and Addiction
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) sets care standards for the provision of mental health and substance use services for the state. DMHA is committed to ensuring that individuals can access quality services that promote resiliency, recovery and wellness. DMHA’s Recovery Support Services team has the authority and oversight over all Peer Certification programs* in Indiana.
*DMHA recognizes both the division’s CPSP and certifications by ICAADA equally