Peer counselors

Certified peer counselors work with individuals and parents of children receiving mental health or substance use disorder services. They use their own lived experiences to help their peers find hope and to support their recovery.

How do I become a certified peer counselor (CPC)?

Follow this step-by-step certification process:

Complete our online prerequisite course and send a copy of your certification of completion to our peer application support team.
Complete the peer counseling application.
Be accepted for, and successfully complete, the HCA-approved CPC training.
Take and pass the state CPC oral and written exams.

Additional information

HCA-approved CPC trainings (standard behavioral health and youth and family) are 36 hours.
Peers who have already completed the recovery coach training through CCAR Connecticut Community of Addiction Recovery, may be able to attend the HCA-approved, 24-hour Bridge training.
Upon passing the state exam, you will receive a letter confirming you have met these requirements.
Many employers also require that you become credentialed by the Department of Health (DOH) as an agency affiliated counselor after being hired. Your employer or the DOH can provide information about this process. This credential is only required for those who are employed at a licensed behavioral health agency.

For questions or additional information, contact the Peer Support Program.

Where do I go to receive training?

Virtual CPC trainings and testing began in May 2020 for CPC applicants currently working, or who have job offers at licensed community behavioral health agencies to provide Medicaid-reimbursable peer services. Approved CPC applicants will be contacted by the training contractor if they qualify for this training, per the information provided on their applications. We will post any updates on resuming in-person trainings.

Please note: Participants must be preapproved to attend a training.

Invitations are sent out via email four to five weeks in advance. You must be invited by our contracted trainers to participate a training.

Online course (prerequisite)

HCA hopes that you have a helpful and positive experience with the online training course. Completing the course will help you gain the knowledge and skills needed as a certified peer counselor (CPC).

The online course includes material not covered in the 36-hour training. The CPC test covers information from both the 36-hour training and the online course. Please complete the online course thoroughly, take notes, and review the information.

How do I take the course?

To access the training, create an account at our peer support learning management system.

Application process

The application process has three steps. These steps can be completed in any order but they all must be completed for your application to be reviewed.

Complete the online certified peer counselor prerequisite training.
Submit the certification of completion received at the end of module nine to our peer application support team.
Complete the online peer support application.

These steps are required as part of the application process for the standard CPC training, the youth and family CPC training, and the bridge training. Your application will not be reviewed until these steps are complete.

If you experience technical difficulties with this training, please email the Peer Support Program for assistance, who will respond within five business days.

CPC training

Before being accepted for training, you must complete the online prerequisite course and the online application. Follow steps one and two under How do I become a certified peer counselor? to begin this process.

BRIDGE training

BRIDGE training is a 24-hour virtual training for recovery coaches who have already received their Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) certification, who want to obtain their peer counselor certification.

Download the manual: BRIDGE Training: From Recovery Coach to Certified Peer Counselor.

Youth and family training

Important: Before being accepted for training, you must complete the online prerequisite course and the online application. Follow steps one and two under How do I become a certified peer counselor? to begin this process.

These trainings focus on preparing youth and parents to be certified as peer counselors. The trainings cover the same material as the standard training, and the state test is required for both.

Note that local applicants will be prioritized for regional trainings, but all completed applications will be reviewed for consideration.

Manuals and course materials

Peer counselor tests

The oral and written tests are coordinated by the Health Care Authority (HCA) and the trainers. They will be scheduled as part of the training agenda and usually occur on the last day of your training. Your trainers will provide this information to you.

If you need to retake a test you will need to register in advance.

How do I register for a retest?

An approved testing organization will set up a time for your initial certified peer counselor (CPC) training exam and exit interview. If you find that you need to retest, please contact your original testing proctor in order to schedule a re-test.

Things to keep in mind:

Space is limited for each exam. Priority is given to participants in that week's training.
Registration for retesting is accepted on a first-come basis.
Contact Beverly Miller if you need a reasonable accommodation to retake the exam. You may be asked to provide written support for your request.

Continuing education

Documenting Peer Support

In this online training, you'll learn more about documenting peer services and what is required for documenting Medicaid reimbursable peer services:

Start the Documenting Peer Support training

Ethics and Boundaries in Peer Services

In this online training, you will learn more about the value of peer support, and you will learn how to identify the ethics and boundaries that are necessary to provide effective support:

Start the Ethics and Boundaries in Peer Services training

The Role Employment Plays in Recovery

This course is intended for certified peer counselors but has helpful information for anyone interested in increasing their understanding of employment programs, services, and resources. For more information, visit the pathways to employment website.

Start your employment training using these four modules:

Individual placement and support (IPS) is a specific model of support employment. IPS is also considered an evidence-based practice. You can find more information on the IPS Works site.

The Role Housing Plays in Recovery

This course is intended for certified peer counselors but has helpful information for anyone interested in increasing their understanding of housing programs, services, and resources. There are a multitude of resources and information, in addition to the online modules, posted on the Pathways to Housing website.

Start your housing training using these four modules:

The Permanent Supportive Housing Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) toolkit outlines the essential components for supportive housing services and programs for people living with mental illness disorders. It discusses how to develop and integrate evidence-based programs in mental health systems. The toolkit includes eight booklets on program development.

Trauma-informed approach (TIA) trainings

The following TIA online courses are available in English and Spanish:

TIA Overview for Everyone
TIA for Agency Leaders
TIA for Staff
TIA for Supervisors

Intersection of Behavioral Health and the Law

This free course is intended for certified peer counselors but includes helpful information for any interested in increasing their understanding of the forensic mental health system and supporting people who are diagnosed with a behavioral health condition and involved with the court system.

Create an account to take the 12-module training.

WRAP: An evidence based practice for mental health recovery

This free course is intended for certified peer counselors but includes helpful information for any interested in an introduction to the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). This training covers what the Wellness Recovery Action Plan is, how it can be used, and the research behind this evidence-based practice.

Create an account to take the 3-module training.

Enhancing Your Cultural Intelligence

This course is intended for certified peer counselors but has helpful information for anyone interested in increasing their understanding of topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). You'll learn about recognizing and combatting disparities in societal systems and working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Create an account to take the 3-module training.

Power of Peer Support in Crisis Services

This online training is intended for certified peer counselors and is a required pre-requisite training for the 40-hour in-person Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Services (CACPS) training. The training covers the role of CPCs in crisis services, stages of crisis intervention for peers, skillsets for working in crisis settings, and more!

Create an account to take the 7-module training.

Resources for peers

Mental Health Peer Support Designline (Central East MHTTC)
Resources for mental and emotional well-being