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Approval in Colorado

Colorado Providers Association CE Information

Applies To:

  • Colorado Peer Support Specialists
    • CPFS

INITIAL CERTIFICATION

The Colorado Peer and Family Specialist Certification Committee (Committee) is a subcommittee of the Colorado Providers Association (COPA) that approves certification for trained CPFS by reviewing training, continuing education, supervision, and work experience; facilitating examinations; and promoting reciprocity with other jurisdictions.

A total of 60 hours are required for initial certification. At least 30 of the total 60 hours required must be earned in live, interactive, non-self-paced training (either online or in person). The courses on our site are not considered live as they are self-paced.

Of the 60 hours, 46 hours of training must be within the following domains:

  • 10 hours of Advocacy
  • 10 hours of Mentoring and Education
  • 10 hours of Recovery and Wellness Support
  • 16 hours of Ethics

The 46 hours in the four core domains of training must be earned from a trainer or training organization pre-approved by COPA.

Of the 60 hours, 14 hours of Additional Training are required and must include a combination of the following peer-focused topics:

  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Whole Health
  • Substance Misuse
  • Mental Health and Family Support

The CPFS Committee, who meets once per month to review completed applications and is responsible for determining whether or not a training will be approved, is more flexible on the Additional Training domain. If you are using a training that is not on a Pre-Approved Training list, please ensure that it is non-clinical (e.g. assessment/treatment/diagnosis), is peer-focused, and aligns with the IC&RC domains for this credential.

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CERTIFICATION RENEWAL

CPFS certification is valid for 2 years. Renewal dates are based upon the initial certification date. You can add continuing education training to the online application system at
any time during the two-year recertification cycle.

Recertification Hours Requirements
  • 30 hours of continuing education trainings/workshops within the last two years
  • 6 hours of the 30 hours must be in the ethics domain
  • Hours should correspond to the IC&RC Domains
  • Submission of duplicate courses taken within the two-year renewal cycle are not
    permitted (e.g., Boundaries 2017 and Boundaries 2018).

Board Contact Info

Colorado Providers Assocation (COPA)
303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80203
Certification Specialist: [email protected]

COPA Website: https://coprovidersassociation.org/certifications/peer-family-specialist-certification/

CPFS Certification Manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hof99zRF4HzZkFG_2_ftWo8Ay5wmyGl6/view?pli=1

FAQS: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGD7putEek/Gy5_hcWS9Zd16UcuC-BN0A/view?utm_content=DAGD7putEek&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor#1

Certified Peer and Family Specialist

INITIAL: 30 of the total 60 hours are required to be live, interactive trainings (online or in person). The other 30 may be earned through CE-Credit. Please see the 'Overview' and 'Special Requirements' tabs for details on the domains in which these hours must be earned.

RENEWAL: 30 hours are to be earned for every 2-year renewal cycle. 6 of the 30 hours must be in the ethics domain. Hours should correspond to the IC&RC Domains.

Initial Credential

60 CE credit hours required for initial credential.

Yes You can use Addiction Counselor CE for earning your CPFS initial credential.

Credential Renewal

30 CE credit hours required for renewal.

Yes You can use Addiction Counselor CE for renewing your CPFS credential.

Addiction Counselor CE does not currently offer any courses applicable to this credential.

Advocacy, 10.00 CE credit hours

FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION

  • We do not currently offer courses to fulfill this requirement.

Mentoring and Education, 10.00 CE credit hours

FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION

  • We do not currently offer courses to fulfill this requirement.

Recovery and Wellness Support, 10.00 CE credit hours

FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION

  • We do not currently offer courses to fulfill this requirement.

Ethics, 16.00 CE credit hours

FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION

  • We do not currently offer courses to fulfill this requirement.

Ethics (RENEWAL), 6.00 CE credit hours

FOR CERTIFICATION RENEWAL

  • We do not currently offer courses to fulfill this requirement.

View More Courses Currently 622 of our courses are available for Peer Support Specialists regulated by COPA. These are just a few examples!

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Disclaimer

We do our best keep our information current, but rules and regulations sometimes change without notice. Please remember it is ultimately your own responsibility for interpreting your state's laws, board rules, course relevancy and all requirements for your state.

If you are aware of a change in your requirements that is not shown here, please let us know!

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