Certified Peer Review Specialists
- Attestation
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Applicants for the Certified Peer Support Specialists credential must provide an attestation that the applicant self-identifies as:
- Having one or more years in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both; or
- The parent or legal guardian of a youth who is receiving or has received behavioral health services.
This attestation is provided on the Attestation of Recovery for Certified Peer Support Specialists, form (DOH 670-255), and is included in the application packet.
- Education and Examination
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Traditional training education requirements:
Applicants must have completed the 80-hour Peer Specialist training from the Health Care Authority (HCA). Applicants who have previously completed the 40-hour Peer Counselor training from HCA must also complete the HCA Gap training for peers to meet the educational requirements. The examinations are included within the training and there are no additional examination requirements.
Out-of-State Training
Applicants who hold an out-of-state credential must also complete the Health Care Authority’s Gap training and the peer specialist pre-requisite training. Both of these are available online and without a fee. You may find more information on HCA's Peer Specialist website.
Completion of an Apprenticeship Program approved by the Department of Labor and Industries would also qualify to meet the educational requirements of the certification.
National certifications
Applicants who hold a national certification as defined in WAC 246-929-190 meet the education and experience requirements of Washington state. The national certification must be active and in good standing.
- Experience
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The applicant must complete 1,000 hours of supervised experience as a Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee. All of the experience must be under an approved supervisor as defined by WAC 246-929-170.
Applicants who have experience obtained prior to July 1, 2025, may use that experience if it meets the conditions in WAC 246-929-150 and WAC 246-929-160. The experience must be obtained after taking the Health Care Authority peer training. These include the following options:
- Completion of 1,000 hours of work as a peer counselor, attested to by their employer or a Behavioral Health Provider as defined in RCW 18.420.010.
- One year of working as an Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) peer counselor, attested to by the approved agency they work for.
Out-of-State Experience
For experience obtained out-of-state, an applicant must show they have held an equivalent credential in good standing for at least one year, or hold an acceptable national certification as defined in WAC 246-929-190.
Accumulation of the experience hours is not required to be consecutive.
National certifications
Applicants who hold a national certification as defined in WAC 246-929-190 meet the education and experience requirements of Washington state. The national certification must be active and in good standing.
- State License Verification
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Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.
- Personal Data Questions
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Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If the case is pending, applicant must indicate status.
Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainees
- Attestation
-
Applicants for the Certified Peer Support Specialists credential must provide an attestation that the applicant self-identifies as:
- Having one or more years in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both; or
- The parent or legal guardian of a youth who is receiving or has received behavioral health services.
This attestation is provided on the Attestation of Recovery for Certified Peer Support Specialists, form (DOH 670-255), and is included in the application packet.
- Education and Examination
-
Traditional training education requirements:
Applicants must have completed the 80-hour Peer Specialist training from the Health Care Authority (HCA). Applicants who have previously completed the 40-hour Peer Counselor training from HCA must also complete the HCA Gap training for peers to meet the educational requirements. The examinations are included within the training and there are no additional examination requirements.
Out-of-State Training
Applicants who hold an out-of-state credential must also complete the Health Care Authority’s Gap training and the peer specialist pre-requisite training. Both of these are available online and without a fee. You may find more information on HCA's Peer Specialist website.
Completion of an Apprenticeship Program approved by the Department of Labor and Industries would also qualify to meet the educational requirements of the certification.
National certifications
Applicants who hold a national certification as defined in WAC 246-929-190 meet the education and experience requirements of Washington state. The national certification must be active and in good standing.
- State License Verification
-
Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.
- Personal Data Questions
-
Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If the case is pending, applicant must indicate status