Certification Assistance
Recovery Hubs provide assistance to individuals who are seeking CRS, CFRS, and CRSS credentialing. For more about these certifications, see Pennsylvania Certification Board at pacertboard.org.
Certified Recovery Specialist
A credential for individuals with personal, lived experience in their own substance use disorder recovery. By offering insight into the recovery process based on their own experience, recovery specialists are able to provide a unique perspective while providing recovery support services.
Is:
- A Mentor
- An Advocare
- A Motivator
Is NOT:
- A Sponsor
- A Case Manager
- A Therapist
Requirements
For more in depth information on the requirements on the CRS credential, please visit the Pennsylvania Certification Board’s website.
CRS Requirements
Formal Education
Minimum High School Diploma or GED. Individuals must already meet this requirement to enroll in a Recovery Specialist training.
Training
78 hours of mandatory, standardized recovery specialist training. Individuals must have at least 18 months in a continuous manner of personal, lived recovery experience to enroll in the CRS training.
Lived Experience
1000 word "Statement of Lived Experience" essay describing your experience with recovery and your history of sustained recovery.
Exam
Once your application is approved, you must pass the PCB Examination for Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS examination).
Certified Family Recovery Specialist
A credential for adults who have been directly impacted by their own family member or loved one’s substance use disorder. The CFRS shares their lived experience with other families to provide recovery support services and understands the stigma associated with substance use disorder and its impact on the family. A CFRS’s are trained to help families move into and through the recovery process.
Requirements
For more in depth information on the requirements on the CFRS credential, please visit the Pennsylvania Certification Board’s website.
CFRS Requirements
Formal Education
Minimum High School Diploma or GED. Individuals must already meet this requirement to enroll in a Recovery Specialist training.
Training
78 hours of mandatory, standardized recovery specialist training.
Lived Experience
1000 word "Statement of Lived Experience" essay describing the impact that your own family member or loved one's substance use disorder had on you.
Letters of Reference/Character
Three letters from individuals who can speak to your character, professionalism, and suitability for supporting families in recovery, as required by the Pennsylvania Certification Board.
Certified Recovery Specialist Supervisor
A recovery specialist supervisor provides supervision to recovery specialists and/or family recovery specialists.
Requirements
For more in depth information on the requirements on the CRSS credential, please visit the Pennsylvania Certification Board’s website.
Work Experience
- Current CRS/CFRS: Two (2) years of full-time or 4000 hours of part-time work experience providing recovery support services and one (1) year of work experience providing direct supervision of recovery specialist of family recovery specialists.
- Non-CRS/CFRS: Two (2) years of full-time or 4000 hours of part-time work experience in a related/relevant field that has a focus on recovery culture and one (1) year of work experience providing direct supervision to recovery specialists or family recovery specialists.
Current Job Description
Copy of current job description, obtained from current employer, and which must be signed by both the applicant and their immediate supervisor.
On-The-Job Supervision
25 hours of supervision in the CRSS domains.
Education / Training
- Current CRS/CFRS: 30 hours of education/training specific to the CRSS domains.
- Non-CRS/CFRS: 78 hours of mandatory, standardized recovery specialist training and 12 hours specific to the CRSS domains.
Formal Education
Minimum high school diploma/GED (documentation only needed for Non-CRS/CFRS)
Steps for Certification
Complete the Interest Survey
Complete the short Recovery Specialist Interest Survey so you can be contacted when a training is available for you. Our organization's trainings are filled on a first-come first-serve basis.
Explore the PCB's statewide Recovery Specialist Trainings list
To see if another organization may have a suitable training, you may visit the Pennsylvania Certification Board's statewide list of upcoming Recovery Specialist Trainings.
This list contains all available Recovery Specialist trainings across the state including location, date, time, and cost, visit the page below.
The list is updated every time a Recovery Specialist training is scheduled.
Applying to Additional Trainings
Different instructors and organizations may have their own procedures for applying and enrollment. If you find a suitable training offered by another organization, look for a red 
button to the left of that training with instructions for enrollment.
If there is not an included flyer, note the green 
button to the right. You’ll need to click that to enroll in a training, **unless** it’s password protected, in which case you’re supposed to reach out to the instructor directly using the email address provided in the “Contact” column, and wait to hear back.
Additionally, we maintain a bulletin board with various trainings across the region, including Recovery Specialist trainings, at https://councilsepa.org/hubs/trainings.
Again, as the trainings offered by our organization are first-come, first serve, be sure that you've completed the Recovery Specialist Interest Survey.
Training
Before enrolling in a training, be sure you can commit to attending all required hours and complete all homework and assignments. Reach out to us if you need help at CRSTrainingInfo@councilsepa.org.
PCB Exam
Once you've received your certificate of completion from the Recovery Specialist training, if attaining CRS credential, apply to take the PCB exam.
Be sure to study, and reach out to us if you need help at CRSTrainingInfo@councilsepa.org
Recovery Specialist Training Class Photos
- Regions 1 & 4
- Region 1
- Region 4
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Additional Support
Get Help Now
Individuals seeking treatment or supports for themselves or a loved one can call the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It’s available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and staffed by trained professionals.
A live chat option is also available online or via text message at 717-216-0905 for those seeking help who may not be comfortable speaking to a helpline operator.
Find Treatment
Treatment Atlas evaluates addiction treatment facilities’ use of evidence-based best practices, includes an assessment to understand the appropriate level of care, and offers an easy-to-use dashboard to allow those in need and their loved ones to search for and compare facilities using criteria such as location, services offered, and insurance accepted so they can find the best treatment for their unique needs.
You can also find the most up-to-date licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities in Pennsylvania or search facility inspection results using DDAP's Drug and Alcohol Facility Locator.
Find Your County Drug and Alcohol Office
County drug and alcohol offices County drug and alcohol offices, known as Single County Authorities (SCA) can help with treatment funding, assess the need for treatment or other services, and make referrals to match treatment and/or service needs for individuals or their family members experiencing substance use disorders.
Recovery Housing
A recovery house is a safe and supportive, drug- and alcohol-free environment where individuals recovering from a substance use disorder can live together as a community. These houses are founded on social model recovery principles and can offer peer support and other recovery support services.
Halfway Housing
A halfway house can offer treatment and provides a home-like atmosphere within the local community, is accessible to public transportation, and provides opportunities for independent growth and responsible community living.
Resources for Families and Loved Ones
Additional Resources
Training
We are here to support individuals looking for peer support, family support, and self-care services, to the amazing organizations providing these services and supporting multiple pathways to and through recovery, and to the individuals looking to provide invaluable support and guidance to those in need by becoming a Certified Recovery Specialist or a Certified Family Recovery Specialist!
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