Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training

PRSS, also called recovery coaches, are individuals in recovery from substance use, problem gambling, mental health, or other challenges. They use their recovery experience to advocate, provide support, resources, and hope to individuals working through their own recovery.

To become an PRSS-I, the first step in becoming a PRSS, you will need one year of self-identified recovery and have proof of successful completion of a Nevada Certification Board (NCB) approved course, like this one. You also need a HSD/GED and to submit an application fee of $35 to the NCB.

After you are a PRSS-I, you will need: to attest to having two years of self-identified recovery, 500 working/volunteer hours specific to PRSS work, including 25 hours of direct supervision, $165 application fee, and to pass the proctored PRSS exam.

Only approved PRSS Supervisors can supervise your 500 hours. To find approved supervisors, check the certification registry on the NV Certification Board website.

Lived experience means you have lived through your own experience with recovery. For example, a spouse of someone who has lived with SUD or mental health, while certainly close to the issue, does not have lived experience to become a PRSS.

Peer Recovery Support services are effective when they are provided by a person who has personally lived through their own experience with substance use or mental health.

You don’t! As recovery is self defined and the peer philosophy embraces all recovery pathways, there is no standard “proof” that an individual is in recovery. You will, however, have to attest to being an individual in long-term recovery when you apply for your certification.

Because of Senate Bill 69, anyone over the age of 18 who is being compensated to provide peer recovery support services in the state of Nevada has to complete the certification process.

Completion of this course will fulfill the training requirements for certification, but it does not mean you are certified. For all certification requirements, check out “What do you need to do to become a peer recovery support specialist intern (PRSS-I)?” above.

Because recovery is unique to each individual, there is no set definition of recovery you must meet to become a PRSS. Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness that may involve setbacks.

You can take the training at any point in your recovery journey, but you need one year to become a PRSS-I and two to become a PRSS. There is an on the phone interview that may take place to determine if it is the right time for you to take the course.

We understand that 46-hours is a large commitment and try to be as flexible as possible. However, you are required to attend all days of the training in order to complete the course. Contact us with any specific questions about scheduling concerns.