If you’re new to the peer community and planning to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Maryland, it’s important to choose the right training. Not all trainings automatically count toward certification, only those that have been pre-approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral Health Professional Certification Board (MABPCB).
Each course description should always include how many CEUs it awards. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) trainings are offered regularly throughout the state by several well respected organizations aiming to build upon the peer workforce. Courses are typically offered in both virtual and in-person formats, with some being cost-free thanks to grant funding. The live online webinars make the training more accessible.
Points to Keep in Mind
CEU Approval Matters
The training provider must be either directly authorized by the MABPCB or sponsored by an approved organization. Some organizations don’t have in-house trainers but hire qualified instructors to deliver peer trainings on their behalf.
Instructor Credentials Vary
Some instructors are individually approved to issue CEUs. Others partner with authorized organizations to make sure participants get the credits they need.
Not All Trainings Will Qualify
Just because a topic appears on a MABPCB’s list of approved training topics doesn’t mean every version of that training is approved. Each training event must be submitted to, and approved by, MABPCB in order to award CEUs. *
Bottom line
Always check that the training announcement clearly states the number of MABPCB-approved CEUs you’ll receive. If it’s not listed, ask before you sign up.
*To ensure you are registering for an MABPCB approved training, visit the Training page of the MABPCB website and search for the training by name to determine if it is approved for the Maryland Peer Certification.
Beyond the initial trainings required for certification, there are many forms of continuing education for peers. Further continuing education can include case management, community reintegration (re-entry), HIPAA compliance, community research skills foundations, and more. Be sure to read the course description so you know what you’re signing up for.