Applying to Take the CRS Exam
Before You Begin
Be sure you have:
1. CRS Training Certificate of Completion.
Go to pacertboard.com and log into your account. Download your certificate saying you completed the class. At the top of the page, click on: “My Account”, then click on “Courses”, and click Download Certificate”.
2. Copy of High School Diploma, Transcript, or GED.
If you need to obtain a copy: Contact the school or District Office which you graduated from. Each district maintains and follows a records retention policy. They may offer a copy of a Diploma but are not required, in which case you may get a copy of your transcript instead, which they should be able to send by email or mail. If the school is closed, records go to the current High School in that District.
All GED’s are handled by Diploma Sender. To obtain a copy, visit www.diplomasender.com or contact Diploma Sender by phone at 855-313-5799.
If you are submitting a college degree, you may not send it yourself — it must be mailed to the PCB or emailed to by the educational institution prior to application. The exception is that If you have a sealed official transcript in your possession, you may mail it in the sealed envelope to PCB prior to your application arriving or mail it in.)
3. $150 Application Fee.
Credit/debit card only for Online Application (VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express).
For PDF version of application, check, money order or credit/debit card is acceptable (VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express).
4. Minimum 1000-word essay describing your experience with recovery and your history
of sustained recovery.
5. Notarized copy of Release Page.
Download a copy of the release page and have it notarized. You may print it and have it notarized in person, or you may instantly notarize it online. The following services cost $25:
1
Go to pacertboard.com and log into your account.
2
In the menu at the top of the page, under certifications, select Certified Recovery Specialist.
3
If you met the requirements and are ready to move forward, click: “Apply Online”, and select “Certified Recovery Specialist”, or select “Download Application” if you prefer to submit an application by mail, email, or fax.
4
Read through the terms and conditions and check “Agree” to move forward.
5
There are seven pages to complete:
- Personal: Fill in your personal info. Also read the Code of Ethical Conduct, located at www.pacertboard.org/ethics so you can check the box saying you read and understood the PCB Code of Ethical Conduct.
- Demographics: Fill in your demographic info.
- Formal Education: Fill in the boxes: The name of your High School in the first box, your name as shown on your transcript in the next box, the date you requested the transcript from your high school, and finally select whether you’re sending via email or mail.
- Education/Training: Click the box to upload the CRS Training Course certificate you downloaded previously.
- Work Experience: This page needs only to be filled in with employment in the behavioral health field.
- Release: Type your name in the box to sign electronically, and upload your 1000+ word Experience Essay and your Notarized Release Page.
- Payment: The fee may be paid by VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express ONLY. If an employer or organization is paying the fee, select the option for an email to be sent to them to input their credit card information.
That’s it! Now allow up to 10 business days for review and processing.
An application is considered approved when applicant receives an email from PCB to register for the examination.4
Follow all instructions to register for the examination provided in the email.
If you have not heard from PCB regarding your application or received an email from PCB to register for the examination
after 10 business days, email info@pacertboard.org.
