A Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is a trained professional who uses their lived experience of mental health recovery, resilience, and healing to inspire hope, optimism, and courage. CPSs support individuals in building and strengthening their own unique pathways in life across a variety of settings, including inpatient units, emergency services, respite, community health and outreach programs, prevention initiatives,  Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs) and etc..

By openly sharing their experiences, CPSs positively influence people receiving services, mental health professionals, policymakers, and others. CPSc support transforming beliefs about recovery, demonstrating that healing and growth are possible for all.

In Massachusetts, you become a Certified Peer Specialist when you complete the CPS training and pass the certification exam.

Applicants to the CPS Training Program need to:

• Have lived experience of a mental health condition or emotional distress or trauma resulting in significant life disruption
• Be willing to share aspects of that experience as part of their work as a CPS
• Be 18 years old or older
• Have a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, etc.)
• Live or work in Massachusetts

The number of weeks the course takes depends on the format of the class you are applying for. Most courses take between 4-10 weeks. The course itself is 65 hours.

There is no cost for training, exams, or materials for participants, nor for the agencies they are affiliated with. The CPS Program is fully funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

Yes, attendance is mandatory for the completion of the training.

Yes. Students are expected to complete homework, assignments, and practice exams. They must also read all course materials and create their own study guide throughout the training.

Reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for testing are available for students who meet the requirements. The CPS Team will provide clear instructions—both in writing and verbally—throughout the course on how to request testing accommodations.

A great way to assess your readiness is to participate in the Peer Workforce Foundations workshop, offered at no cost throughout the year. Additionally, reviewing the CPS Self-Assessment on our website can help candidates understand the key factors for success in the CPS course.

Any activities that build a foundation in your personal recovery and in supporting others in their recovery can be helpful. Involvement in a local RLC, participation in a WRAP training, becoming a member of a peer support group, and reading about recovery can also support your readiness.

Many CPS participants have not been in school for some time. To support them, we provide study tips and a module called “Learning to Learn,” which helps students create a study plan for the test. We also offer two office hours sessions outside of class to answer specific curriculum questions and provide guidance on study guides. From the beginning of the course, we give tips on how students can start creating their own study guides and support the formation of student-led study groups.

Often, a person may be hired before becoming certified, with the expectation that they will complete the training and earn certification within the first six months to one year of employment. However, a few agencies do require certification beforehand. Agencies establish these standards themselves.

No. Peer Support relationships change lives and foster self-healing anywhere that people seek and give support based on shared experiences. There are far more opportunities and places to offer peer support than there are paid roles for Certified Peer Specialists. Peer support happens informally and in paid and volunteer roles that do not require CPS training and certification. Peer support training is offered through a variety of organizations for people with or without experience with peer support; many provide a certificate of completion or offer their own certification program, for example, Regional Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs) who offer a variety of peer support trainings.

Kiva Center offers peer-led trainings and workshops, which can be found on our website under the Training tab or the Certified Peer Specialist tab. Some of these trainings are offered through peer-run agencies, while others can be found through online searches.