Peer Support Certification

There are two levels of peer support certification in North Dakota: a Certified Peer Support Specialist I and II.

  • A Certified Peer Support Specialist I is a peer support specialist who has completed division approved peer support training and completed the certification process.
  • A Certified Peer Support Specialist II is a peer support specialist who has completed the requirements to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist I and has provided a minimum of 1,500 hours of direct service as a peer support specialist and has completed peer support supervisor training. A CPSSII may serve as a supervisor for a CPSS I.

Before applying for certification, determine if you are applying as a person in recovery or a parent or primary caregiver

Person in Recovery

Do you identify as a person with lived experience of recovery from mental health, substance use, brain injury and/or a combination thereof? Do you want to provide peer support to others with like, lived experience?

Below are the steps to certification. Please allow a minimum of 30 business days to process your application.

  1. Verify that you meet the eligibility requirements

  2. Mail a $50 check or money order written out to ND HHS

    Attn: Julie Huwe
    North Dakota Behavioral Health Division
    600 E Boulevard Ave. Dept 325- Judicial Wing
    Bismarck, ND 58505-0250

    Please include Peer Support and the name of the applicant on the check or money order.

  3. Download the templates below for recommendations, statements, and verification of Peer Support hours
  4. Complete the application, including all required attachments.

Please do not send any application pieces with the certification fee. Those must be submitted in the online application

Please use the attached templates for recommendations, statements and verification of peer support service hours:

Parent and Caregiver

Do you identify as a parent or primary caregiver with a minimum of one year lived experience navigating youth serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, or any combination thereof.

Below are the steps to certification. Please allow a minimum of 30 business days to process your application.

  1. Verify that you meet the eligibility requirements 
  2. Mail a $50 check or money order written out to ND Department of Human Services:

Attn: Julie Huwe
North Dakota Behavioral Health Division
600 E Boulevard Ave. Dept 325 – Judicial Wing
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Please include Peer Support and the name of the applicant on the check or money order.

3. Download the templates below for recommendations, statements, and verification of Peer Support hours
4. Complete the application , including all required attachments.

Please do not send any application pieces with the certification fee. Those must be submitted in the online application.

Please use the attached templates for recommendations, statements and verification of peer support service hours:

If you'd like more info on the application process, please view the Peer Support Certification Webinar.

Please note your certification fee will be reimbursed if your application is not received within 60 days of receiving the fee. If you need any assistance completing the application or have any application questions, please email peersupport@nd.gov