Overview

NC Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) must renew their certification every two years. CPSSs are solely responsible for ensuring that their certification is renewed before it expires.

As a courtesy, CPSSs will receive a Recertification Notice by email approximately 60–90 days before their certificate expiration date. 

CPSSs are responsible for submitting a complete recertification application and ensuring that the Program receives all requested documents by the due date indicated in the notice.

Failure to recertify by the expiration date of your current certificate, or to complete the late recertification process within 30 days after the certificate expiration date, will result in lapsed certification.

Please check the credential Verification for the expiration date of your certification.

 

Recertification Steps

To remain in compliance with state and federal guidelines, please complete your recertification by the expiration date listed on your certificate. Information about the recertification process and required steps is outlined below. 

Please Note: Applications not completed by the due date or submitted within 30 days after the due date will be processed as late recertifications and will be subject to an additional $20 late fee, in addition to the $20 recertification processing fee.

Applicants preparing to renew their certificate must gather the following documents:

  • Ethics Training: Certificate for at least 3 hours of required Ethics Training.
  • Additional Training: Certificates for 17 hours (training related to mental health, substance use, or other related areas). A college transcript can be used if the course is related.
  • Identify individuals who are familiar with your recovery journey and can provide reference letters.
    • At least one reference letter must be provided by an individual who is not a current member of your household.
  • Non-refundable Processing Fee: $20

Applicants must apply ONLINE

  • Create an account on the PSS Website.
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee.
  • Complete the application form.
    • Upload all required documents (20 hours of additional training, including 3 hours of required ethics training, proof of education (official college transcript for courses in mental health, substance use, human services, etc.).
    • Request two reference letters while completing the application form, and add their email addresses (reference letters are confidential and cannot be changed after the program receives them).
  • Submit your application. Please note that it will not be considered complete until all required documents, including reference letters, have been received.

Application review completed by the NCCPSS Program staff.

  • If approved, the applicant's certificate is issued.
  • If not approved, the staff will send the applicant a letter to that effect. View the Denied Application Policy.
  • If the application is incomplete, the Program staff will contact you for any missing information or to update your application.

 

Helpful Things to Note:

Late Recertification: CPSS may submit a late recertification application within 30 days after their certification expiration date by completing all required documentation and paying a $20 late fee, in addition to the $20 recertification processing fee.

A new training certificate is not required for late recertification.

If recertification is not completed within 30 days after the certification expiration date, the certification will lapse, and the individual must apply as a new applicant. A new training certificate is required when applying as a new applicant after certification has lapsed.

Lapsed certification: Any CPSS who does not renew their certification by the expiration date listed on their certificate will be considered lapsed.

  • CPSSs may apply for late recertification within 30 days of the expiration date and must pay an additional $20 late recertification fee.
  • After the 30-day late recertification period, individuals must submit a new application for certification.
  • A training certificate previously used for certification cannot be reused for a new application. Applicants must meet the current training and certification requirements.

Application Processing Timeline: Please note that, due to the high volume of applications, processing time depends on when an application is complete. Check the application tab. Incomplete applications will delay the process. To check the status of your recertification, please visit the Credential Verification page and search for your name.

Incomplete Applications: Applications missing required documents are considered incomplete. If recertification is not completed on time, the certification will lapse. To reinstate certification, the CPSS must apply as a new applicant. This includes reference forms - Applicants are responsible for ensuring that references are submitted in time.  Certification will lapse if references are not received by the end of the late recertification period.

Certificates: The NCCPSS Program mails approved certificates to the address provided by the applicant on the application form. If an applicant changes address while their certification is being processed, they MUST contact the Program to update their information to ensure timely receipt of their certificate. The Program staff will make ONE attempt to contact an applicant regarding a returned certificate.

Credential Verification: CPSS must check credential verification system for their expiration date.