Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) Credential

Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) Credential

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) deeply values the contributions of individuals with lived experience. This credential was envisioned and shaped by people with lived and living experience, and their voices remained central throughout its development. Their shared experience, dedication, and expertise guided the creation of the training standards, requirements, and examination. This foundation ensures a strong and meaningful framework for delivering high‑quality services across the behavioral health continuum.

Disclaimer: This Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional credential is not a license and does not authorize the holder to practice independently. 

The application and test to become credentialed as a CT Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) are available as of June 1, 2026.

Informational Sessions

Looking to learn more about the CPSRP Credential? Join us for one of the informational sessions:

CPSRP - Need to Know Information

Credential Definitions:

A Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional is defined as an individual having firsthand lived/living experience with a behavioral health condition(s) and identifies as being in recovery and/or has improved their health and wellness.

A Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional -F is defined as an individual having firsthand lived/living experience as a family member of someone with a behavioral health condition(s) and does not have firsthand lived/living experience.

**Family is not limited to relations by blood, marriage, or adoption. **

  • The CPSRP (F) is a modifier that identifies lived experience through others, the training remains the same.

Credential Types

CPSRP and CPSRP (F) are obtained when all the requirements are met.

  • The examination date and work hours are flexible.

The Provisional Credential is optional. It is available upon completion of training and a passing score on the examination. 

  • This option provides a one (1) year credential as individuals work towards obtaining the required supervised work hours.

Credential Requirements:

  • Live or work in Connecticut

  • Attest to having first-hand lived/living experience with a behavioral health condition(s) and in recovery and/or has improved health and wellness

  • OR

  • Attest to having first-hand lived/living experience through a family member with a behavioral health condition(s)

  • Complete 80-hour Training by a DMHAS-approved training organization
  • Passing score on the examination
  • Complete 300 hours of supervised employment with 25 hours of direct supervision
    • 150 supervised volunteer hours in a Recovery Support Specialist or Recovery Coach role are allowable

Training

Applicants must complete the new training curriculum by a DMHAS-Approved Training Organization. All training organizations utilize an approved curriculum in alignment with SAMHSA's Twelve Core Competencies and DMHAS' Peer Ethics & Values (2024). 

Application Process:

The Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) is the administrator of the credential. This workflow is intended to provide a brief overview of the application process and does not include all details. See the CCB website for additional information on the CPSRP Application and submission process: https://ctcertboard.org

CPSRP Certification Renewal Information

  • 10 Continuing Education (CE) hours annually are required to qualify for re-certification
    • The CEs must be in the following categories:
      • 2 CEs on CPSRP Ethics & Values
        • Individuals must complete the CPSRP approved Ethics & Values Training; no other options will be accepted for re-certification
        • Trainings will be available through DMHAS Workforce Development catalog and other trainings may be held by approved training organizations. More information to come!
      • 4 CEs on Peer Support and Coaching topics
      • 4 CEs of Electives that enhance knowledge within the behavioral health field, i.e. Harm Reduction, CBT/DBT.
        • Electives can include peer support/coaching CE as well
    • The Connecticut Certification Board offers three (3) renewals options. Additional information is located on the CCB website at https://ctcertboard.org/applications-renewals/

CPSRP Grandparenting:

Anyone that has been trained on or before May 31, 2026, can grandparent into the new credential without having to complete the new training curriculum or take the examination.  Over 1000 of your colleagues are certified; don’t miss your chance to join them with your certification!

Grandparenting into the new credential is available until October 1, 2026.

  • Grandparenting Requirements
    • Verification of Age (18+) with a government-issued photo ID.
    • Verification of Completed Training by one of the following DMHAS-approved organizations:
      • Advocacy Unlimited (AU)
      • Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
      • Healthcare Recovery Leadership Academy (HHC-RLA)

    OR

    • Verification of an active CPRS credential through the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB)
  • Application:
    • The CPSRP Grandparenting Application is available on the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) website: https://ctcertboard.org/applications-renewals/
    • The Grandparenting application is free of charge
    • The CPSRP credential is valid for 2 years

Contact Elsa Ward, Director of Recovery Community Affairs @ Elsa.Ward@ct.gov with any questions.