Quite simply, RCU Trainings are the best available and we’re not just “tooting our own horn”. We have trained thousands of Peer Recovery Professionals across NYS and nationally since 2016 and 46% of our attendees are repeat customers. (We even have cohorts in Dubai, London, Canada and Indiana!) Our course evaluations, testimonials and reviews speak for themselves. Our instructor-facilitators are all highly qualified professional trainers with lived experience in recovery and as Peer / Recovery Coaches and/or Peer Supervisors. Our programs are offered virtually (EST) and are known to be the most interactive, engaging, experiential learning experiences available in the Recovery Coach space. Our alumni retain the core concepts learned here years after completing the courses. They apply the principles and attest that their training with RCU is what stoked their passion, prepared them for the field and made the difference in their professional growth.

All RCU Trainers are members of the NYCB Trainer Registry and all RCU Training Programs are NYCB approved for Certification and Renewal Certification. Our courses are also approved for Social Work CE’s and CASAC, CPP, CPS CE’s.

Although most states accept RCU’s trainings for their certification programs, it is always best to check with your state certification board for all requirements, including what training is accepted especially if the state requires a specific certification in order to work in a state-funded agency.
State Peer Certification Directory

If you do not intend to work in a state-licensed agency or recovery center and instead wish to start a private practice as a sober companion or recovery coach, CARC CERTIFICATION is a nationally recognized credential. And, many peer recovery professionals seek more than one credential for increased credibility and employment growth.

All RCU courses lead to Certification as an ethical standard of practice regardless of employment aspirations. Certification acknowledges the individual has both knowledge and experience to perform the role in an employment environment or in private practice. “CRPA” Certification is required for anyone in NYS desiring to work in a licensed treatment or recovery center; this is a Medicaid requirement. "CARC" Certification is for anyone inside or outside of NYS wanting a credible credential when performing the role privately (private practice) or on a volunteer basis.
Go to the NYCB website to learn more about Certification and eligibility requirements.

All RCU trainers and the programs they train are approved by NYCB at InUnity Alliance (IUA) for CARC, CRPA and PSP* Certifications and Renewals. In other states, our training programs are generally approved as well for Peer/Recovery Coach Certifications. NYS Certification Board (NYCB/IUA) sets the national standard for excellence, is a member of the national Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) and is considered unrivaled in the recovery field nationally.

* CRPA - Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (a NYS only Certification)

*CARC - Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (recognized nationally)

*PSP - Peer Supervision Professional Certification (recognized nationally)

*Other Specialty Certifications

Now … for even more fun factoids about certification for the abundantly curious:

1. Certification

Let's begin by addressing the purpose, value and limitations of certification: "Certification confirms that I'm a competent and ethical professional with a transparent and accountable practice in the certified role."

Competent = evaluated by the credentialing body per their published candidate demonstration standards for the role

Ethical = subscribed to the profession's Code of Ethical Conduct, published and implemented by the credentialing body

Role = formally developed, delineated, adopted and managed by the credentialing body

End of message. No legal status. No permissions. No prohibitions. No "scope of practice." Not a simple "designation," nor a legally required "license." A voluntary undertaking, certification status is valued by stakeholders - certificants, clients, colleagues, employers, state agencies, public policy makers, grantors, the general public, etc. - as a signifier of professional competence. The credibility of that signifier will, of course, rest on the credibility of the credentialing body; in this case, the New York Certification Board (est. 2012).

2. New York Certification Board/In Unity Alliance (merged in July, 2024)

At NYCB/IUA, all of our products, processes and protocols are developed, implemented and managed to the highest standards of the national credentialing industry.

Our Director of Certification is certified in her profession by the National Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), of which NYCB is a member, and key members of our Certification Team have significant experience with the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Our consultant psychometrician, referred to us by IC&RC, is attached to the University of Colorado. Her role is to ensure that our certification products are developed per academic best practices from the initial gathering of subject matter experts through community validation through psychometric confirmation and publication of the Role Delineation Study.

3. *NEW* Peer Supervision Professional (PSP) Certification

In common with our other specialty certifications, demand for the Peer Supervision Professional (PSP) certification for individuals who supervise peers in any setting arose from the supervisor, peer and training communities. Specifically, supervisors are looking for common standards and recognition for the practice of supervising peers. Meanwhile, as professionals, peers are looking for quality supervision from professionals who understand their practice. Full details of the PSP are posted to the NYCB/IUA/PWI webpage. Fun Fact - RCU was the first Recovery Skills Training Organization to develop and offer the Peer Supervision Professional (PSP) Certification Training and has been met with rave reviews since its inception in May, 2024.

4. Compliance

From the above, I hope the value of this certification as a "badge of competence" and of the associated role training as preparation for a respected practice supervising peers in any setting will be clear. Certification is voluntary, as discussed above, and the perception of its value rests with stakeholders.

Any requirement for individuals to hold any specified credential other than a legally required license (where relevant) is a matter of employer preference and/or regulation and, consequently, beyond the scope of the certification board. It may be that the state agencies (OMH and OASAS) will come to appreciate the value of the PSP; that's a matter for them and they will advise their stakeholders in the usual manner. Equally, employers - including yourself? - may be very pleased that this certification and training identifies preexisting expertise in the talent pool. The success of PSP will elevate such multi-level appreciation over time.

Bottom line: certification (and role training) is about competence, not compliance - until it's (separately) adopted by compliance authorities, that is!

Adapted from a response to a question from a potential PSP participant by Ruth Riddick, CARC-RCP/F, ASAP Community Outreach & Communications, ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry Program Manager, ASAP-PWI Administrator.

Ruth is our guiding light for all things “Certification”.

Note: InUnity Alliance (IUA): formerly The Coalition for Behavioral Health (CBH) and NY Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP) merged in July, 2024.

In addition to what was stated above, “CRPA” (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) is a NYS only Certification as the services of a CRPA are available to participants at a NYS-licensed addiction treatment or recovery services provider and are often Medicaid reimbursable. “CARC” (Certified Addiction Recovery Coach) is widely accepted and acknowledged nationally and even internationally but not generally insurance-reimbursable.

Before deciding which training is best, check your state certification requirements in the State Peer Certifications Directory. RCU trainings should be accepted toward most states’ Peer/Recovery Coach Certifications.

In addition to CRPA* and CARC, currently in NYS there are six Specialty Certifications including the newly minted Peer Supervision Professional (PSP).

PSP: Peer Supervision Professional

CRPA-P: CRPA-Provisional

CRPA-F: CRPA-Family

CJSR: Criminal Justice Supported Recovery

VSR: Veteran Supported Recovery

CRPA-Y: CRPA-Youth

*Recognized only in NYS and required for Medicaid Reimbursement of Peer Support services.

*See NYCB/IUA for more information on Certifications related to Peer Recovery Support.

NYCB is the Certification Authority in NYS and all Certification is administered through them. Their website is content-rich so be patient and you will find most answers there - many important links are found on the home page and if not the NYCB staff is terrific! Nevertheless, you asked; RCU’s distilled answer:
For CRPA (50 Hrs Approved Training Required and NYCB Code of Ethics Attestation): Once you’ve completed the 50 hrs (3 trainings) of required foundational training, you must acquire 500 Hrs of Peer Role experience as a paid employee or volunteer apprentice. Your Supervisor or Program Manager will attest to your experience as part of the certification process. You will then apply for your CRPA (or CRPA-Provisional - employer dependent) Certification via Certemy, ASAP-NYCB’s Certification Application Management System and take the IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam with NYCB’s guidance ($180 for both). You can find IC&RC Exam Prep study guides and video on our website under ‘Peer Resources’ along with other valuable networking and continuous development resources.

For CARC (60 Hrs. Approved Training Required): Once you’ve completed the 50 hrs (3 trainings) of required and approved foundational training, and 10 hrs. of approved Electives you can go straight to Certemy and complete your application ($100).

Note 1: Many NYS Peers acquire both CRPA and CARC Certifications for added credibility and career advancement opportunities. The primary 50 Hrs Training applies to both Certifications.
Note 2: Both Certifications require Renewal every three years.

Every three years, you must complete the NYCB Renewal process in order to retain your Certification, just like other professional Certifications. A word to the wise -begin taking your Renewal Training in Year One or Two in order to complete these requirements at least 6 months before your Certification expires.

Since October 15, 2020, all training Certificates of Completion submitted for CRPA / CARC Certification or Renewal Hours must include the ‘NYCB Digital Badge of Approval’ in order to qualify for NYCB Certification or Renewal Certification. All RCU Trainings have met the rigorous standards set by the NYCB and have achieved this approval as well as Social Work, CASAC, CPP and CPS Renewal Credit approval in NYS.

Please BE CERTAIN that any training you wish to apply toward certification or re-certification (renewal) contains the NYCB badge of approval.

Once your training is completed you can go back to Certemy to apply for your Renewed Certification ($100/$150 for both)!

Training grants are usually administered locally so search your community resources for workforce grants, opioid settlement funds and recovery-based agency funding opportunities. In NYS, FOR-NY.org often has scholarships, and ACCES-VR provides funding for individuals with a current or prior mental health or substance use diagnose. All “free money” comes with a price - usually your time in applying and meeting with counselors but it is well worth the time spent and usually comes with additional services to support you in your training-to-workforce process.

Funding/scholarship resources listed on our website.

With CRPA Certification you are eligible for work inside of a NYS addiction treatment or recovery center that accepts Medicaid patient insurance. In fact, it is a requirement for NYS Licensed facilities.

CARC is increasingly recognized nationally and even Internationally as NYS continues to lead the way with Peer/Recovery Coach Certification Standards and Training. With it you can begin a Recovery Coach private practice, volunteer in your community, or become a sober companion. Adding this credential also conveys a commitment to your profession and to your career.