Peer Certification Process

THE ARKANSAS MODEL has three levels allowing peer specialists to advance in their profession:

1.  Arkansas Core Peer Recovery Specialist (PR)
2.  Arkansas Advanced Peer Recovery Specialist (APR)
3.  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.