Peer Certification Process
THE ARKANSAS MODEL has three levels allowing peer specialists to advance in their profession:
- Arkansas Core Peer Recovery Specialist (PR)
- Arkansas Advanced Peer Recovery Specialist (APR)
- Arkansas Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor (PRPS)
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to become an Arkansas Core Peer Recovery Specialist (PR), you must (1) have a GED or have graduated from high school, (2) have a minimum of two years of abstinence-based recovery from lived experience with substance use and/or mental health disorders, and (3) have not committed a sexual offense or murder or have any active warrants.
How to become an Arkansas Core Peer Recovery Specialist (PR):
STEP 1: Apply to the APSP PR Program
- Visit www.ar.gov/recovery
- Meet the PR eligibility requirements
- Apply to begin Core PR training by submitting a completed and signed PR application, all supporting documentation
STEP 2: Become a Peer in Training (PIT)
- Once accepted into the program, complete the 30-hour core training and submit the training certificate to the APSP Manager
- Be paired with a Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor (PRPS) and begin peer supervision.
- Receive PIT confirmation letter from DHS.
STEP 3: As a PIT, complete the remaining required education and experience.
- Complete an additional 16 education hours
- Complete 500 experience hours (including 100 hours of domain-specific experience to be comprised of 25 hours of advocacy experience, 25 hours of ethical responsibility experience, 25 hours of mentoring/ education experience, and 25 hours or recovery/wellness experience)
- Complete 25 hours of domain-specific peer supervision (individual/group)
STEP 4: Pass the PR credentialing exam
IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not have to pay the exam fee to take the PR credentialing exam. PR Application Instructions
To apply to begin Core PR training, you must:
- Submit a completed & signed PR application;
- Submit a copy of a GED, high school diploma, or higher level education diploma or transcript;
- Attest to having a minimum of two years of abstinence-based recovery from lived experience with substance use and/or
- Attest that you have read, understand, and will adhere to the Arkansas Peer Recovery Code of Ethics
- Submit a copy of a background check completed in the last 60 days.
- Applicant must email completed and signed application, all supporting documentation.
- Processing timeline: All applications are reviewed by the DHS Recovery Unit on a monthly basis.