Skip to main content

Peer Services: Peer Specialists

The Division of Care and Treatment Services has promoted professional peer support since 2010.

Certifications

Certified peer specialist: An individual with experience in the mental health and substance use services system trained to provide support to adults struggling to find a path to recovery. This certification has been available since 2010.

Certified parent peer specialist: An individual with experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges trained to use their experience navigating services in support of other parents. This certification has been available since 2019.

Certification is awarded after successful completion of a training course on the knowledge and skills necessary for effective peer support and passage of an exam.

The certification is valid for two years. Twenty hours of professional development must be completed during this time period to qualify for recertification.

Training courses

The Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative, a service of Access to Independence under a grant from the Division of Care and Treatment Services, coordinates free training courses for certified peer specialists and certified parent peer specialists. The training courses are presented online using Zoom. The training courses are facilitated by certified peer specialists or certified parent peer specialists who have received additional training in how to teach the classes. The Division of Care and Treatment Services worked with peers as well as agencies and organizations that employ certified peer specialists and certified parent peer specialists to develop the content for the training courses.

See a listing of upcoming training courses.

A maximum of 50 applications are accepted for each training course. People seeking a seat in a training course should apply as soon as the application period opens for a class.

To be considered for one of the 20 to 22 seats in a training course, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must also hold at least a high school diploma, GED diploma, or equivalent certificate.

Some training courses are restricted to members of certain Tribal nations or people who live in certain counties based upon the funding source covering the costs for the class.

Successful submission of an application for a training course does not guarantee a seat in a class. The facilitators of the training course virtually interview up to 30 applicants that best fit the goals of the certified peer specialist or certified parent peer specialist initiatives to determine who to invite for a class. Applicants demonstrating a desire to work as a certified peer specialist, certified parent peer specialist, or a supervisor of these roles are strong candidates for a seat in a training course. Strong candidates also demonstrate an understanding of mental health and substance use recovery principles, including support for many pathways to wellness.

All applicants are informed of their status for the training course by the date listed in the announcement of the class.

The training courses are not a good fit for people simply looking for knowledge and skills to support their individual or family journey to better health.

Exams

UW-Milwaukee's School of Continuing Education administers the online certification exams for peer specialists and parent peer specialists. There is a fee to register for the exams.

See a listing of upcoming exam dates.

Employment opportunities

The Division of Care and Treatment Services, in partnership with the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative, is working with agencies and organizations providing mental health and substance use services to understand the value of peer support and how to integrate certified peer specialists and certified parent peer specialists into their work.

See a listing of current certified peer specialist and certified parent peer specialist job postings.

Contacts

Last revised January 9, 2025