Peer specialists

Certified peer support specialists 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.

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Are you ready to become a peer specialist? Take the online course and complete the training application.

Complete the application online

How do I become a certified peer support specialist (CPSS)?

Follow this step-by-step certification process:

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

Additional information

  • HCA-approved certified peer support specialist trainings are 80 hours.
  • Upon passing the state exam, you will receive a letter confirming you have met the educational requirements to apply as a certified peer support specialist or certified peer support specialist trainee with the Department of Health.
  • Many employers also require that you become credentialed by the Department of Health (DOH) as a certified peer support specialist before or 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 or are interested in billing for services as a certified peer support specialist. The credential is also needed for supervisors of certified peer support specialist trainees.

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

Where do I go to receive training?

Virtual and hybrid certified peer support specialist trainings and testing began in March 2025 approved applicants will be contacted by the HCA peer outreach team.

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 support specialist (CPSS).

The online course includes material not covered in the 80-hour training. The CPSS test covers information from both the 80-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 on our peer support learning management system (LMS).

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.

These steps are required as part of the application process for the standard CPSS training, the youth and family CPSS 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.

CPSS 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 support specialist (CPSS)? to begin this process.

Gap training

To complete the educational requirements to qualify as a certified peer support specialist or certified peer support specialist trainee a CPC must complete the Gap training.

Gap certified peer support specialist training for currently certified peers is provided through our peer support learning management system (LMS) with approximately 12-18 hours of seat time.

The LMS training has embedded knowledge checks throughout and at the end of the training that participants must pass to complete. There will not be an exam following the Gap training. CPCs can take this online training at their own pace.

Manuals and course materials
Peer specialist 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 support specialist (CPSS) 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 your testing proctor or the HCA training coordinator 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:

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:

The Role Employment Plays in Recovery

This course is intended for certified peer support specialists 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 support specialists 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

Register for TIA trainings. You will receive a welcome invitation from TIA Washington to access the courses.

Intersection of Behavioral Health and the Law

This free course is intended for certified peer support specialists 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.

WRAP: An Evidence Based Practice for Mental Health Recovery

This free course is intended for certified peer support specialists 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.

Enhancing Your Cultural Intelligence

This course is intended for certified peer support specialists 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.

Power of Peer Support in Crisis Services

This online training is intended for certified peer support specialists and is a required prerequisite 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!

Resources for peers

Peer-to-peer newsletter

Sign up for our peer support distribution list receive our monthly peer newsletter. Past editions are below.

Contact

Peer Support Program
Email: Peer Support Program
Fax: 360-725-1385

Related forms and publications