Peer Support
Certification in Alaska
Lived experience is your greatest credential. A structured pathway for peer specialists dedicated to guiding others through recovery, mental health, and healing across Alaska.
Credential Levels
Eight Pathways in Peer Support
ACBHC's Peer Support (PS) track and its parallel Traditional Peer Support (TPS) track both offer a progressive credentialing structure rooted in lived experience — from entry-level practice through senior peer support roles. TPS is a full self-service certification ladder of its own, honoring Alaska Native and Indigenous healing traditions at every level.
Peer Support (PS)
Traditional Peer Support (TPS)
Continuing Education
CEU Requirements
All PS and TPS certifications require 15 continuing education hours per 2-year renewal cycle, at every level — reflecting the lived-experience foundation of peer work. CEUs must come from ACBHC-approved providers or receive prior approval.
3 hours — Ethics (within the last 2 years)
3 hours — Confidentiality (within the last 2 years)
9 hours — Elective, from an ACBHC-approved provider
Training must come from an ACBHC-approved provider or receive prior written approval before attendance
Online, hybrid, and in-person formats are all accepted
Log and upload CEU certificates through your portal account — the tracker generates your CEU list automatically
Peer-led workshops and lived experience conferences may qualify — contact staff to confirm
Track your CEUs in your portal account. Log hours, upload completion certificates, and monitor progress toward renewal in one place. Email reminders are sent automatically before your renewal date. PS-specific questions? Contact us at peer.support@akcertification.org or (907) 332-4333.
What You'll Need
Required Application Documents
All documents are submitted digitally through the ACBHC secure portal — no paper mail accepted. Peer Support requirements differ from other tracks; see the breakdown by level below.
📄 Initial Certification
The application is completed as a set of short digital forms in your portal — not one long form — plus the supporting documents below. Requirements differ between Peer Support (PS) and Traditional Peer Support (TPS) levels; each document below is tagged with the levels it applies to.
General Information
Short portal form covering your contact information, employment, and the credential level you're applying for.
Required — All LevelsBackground Disclosure
Portal form covering your criminal history disclosure, including ACBHC's barrier crime screening question. Certain convictions may require additional review — see the Barrier Crime Policy below.
Required — All LevelsData Collection Agreement
Portal form authorizing ACBHC to collect and verify the information submitted with your application.
Required — All LevelsPSP Code of Ethics Attestation
Portal form confirming you've read and agree to the Alaska Peer Support Professional Code of Ethics.
Required — All LevelsAttestation to Lived Experience and Recovery
Portal form attesting to your own experience with recovery, mental health, or behavioral health challenges. Reviewed with care and full confidentiality by ACBHC staff.
Required — PS AssociateAttestation of Recovery
Portal form attesting to your own experience with recovery, mental health, or behavioral health challenges, at the applied credential level.
Required — PSP I, II, IIIOfficial Transcripts
Official transcripts from all accredited institutions, showing degree conferral or applicable coursework for your credential level. Sent directly from your school to ACBHC.
Required — All LevelsValid Photo ID
Driver's license, state ID, or passport, uploaded in your portal to verify your identity.
Required — All LevelsResume
Current resume showing your relevant education, training, and work history.
Required — All LevelsPersonal Recommendation Form
Completed by a reference who knows your work, uploaded as a scan/PDF.
Required — PS Associate, PSP IEmployer Verification of Experience Form
Completed by your employer or program, verifying your relevant peer support work experience at the applied credential level.
Required — PSP I, II, III, TPSP I, II, IIICompetency Practicum Evaluation Form
Completed by your supervisor, evaluating your peer support competencies at the applied credential level.
Required — PSP I, II, III, TPSP I, II, IIISupervisor's Recommendation Form
Completed by your supervisor, rating your peer support competencies at the applied credential level.
Required — PSP II, III, TPSP II, IIIProfessional Affiliate Recommendation
Completed by a professional colleague, rating your peer support competencies at the applied credential level.
Required — PSP II, III, TPSP II, IIIIndigenous Village Elder or Leader Recommendation
For Traditional Peer Support (TPS) applicants — a reference from an Indigenous Village Elder or recognized community leader, alongside the other required references at TPSP II and III.
Required — TPS Associate, TPSP I, II, III🔄 Renewal & Recertification
Renewal Application Form
Complete the renewal application for your PS credential level. Available in your portal account when your renewal window opens — 90 days before expiration.
RequiredCEU Completion Certificates
Upload certificates from all approved continuing education activities completed during your renewal period, satisfying required hours and topic minimums for your level.
Required — All LevelsCEU Activity Log (PS Track)
A completed ACBHC CEU log summarizing all training activities, providers, dates, and hours. Your portal's CEU tracker can generate this automatically.
RequiredEthics Attestation
Signature confirming continued adherence to the ACBHC Code of Ethics (2025 edition). Completed through your portal at time of renewal submission.
RequiredEmployment Verification
Only required if there has been a significant change in your employment status, practice setting, or supervision arrangement since your last certification period.
ConditionalRenewal Fee Payment
Paid securely via Stripe at submission. Refer to the current ACBHC Fee Schedule on the Forms page for renewal amounts by credential level.
RequiredUpgrading Your Credential?
Applying for a higher level (e.g., PSP I → PSP II) requires additional documents — see the Required Application Documents section above for what's needed at your new level.
Application Process
Six Steps to Your Credential
The ACBHC application process is fully digital — no paper forms, no mailing anything. Here's exactly what to expect for Peer Support certification.
Complete Your Forms on the Portal
Log in to your ACBHC portal account and complete your application — a set of short digital forms, not one long form, covering general information, background disclosure, and your ethics or lived experience attestation.
Gather Supporting Documents
Collect your transcripts, resume, photo ID, and the recommendation or verification forms required for your credential level — these differ between PS and TPS.
Upload via the Portal
Log in and upload all documents through your secure ACBHC dashboard. No mail accepted.
Pay Application Fee
Submit your fee securely via Stripe. Your application isn't complete until payment is confirmed.
Staff Review & Commissioner Approval
Staff review your packet and route it to a Commissioner. Track status live in your portal.
Receive Your Digital Certificate
Upon approval, your official certificate is delivered via Adobe Express to download or share.
Ready to start your application?
Create a free ACBHC portal account to access PS forms, upload documents, and track your application status in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About
the PS Track
Do I need a formal education degree to become a certified Peer Support Specialist?
No. The Peer Support track does not require a college degree. Lived experience — your personal history with recovery, mental health, or behavioral health challenges — is the core eligibility requirement. You will need to complete an ACBHC-approved Peer Support training program, but no academic degree is required for PSP I, PSP II, or PSP III.
What counts as "lived experience" for Peer Support certification?
Lived experience refers to personal experience navigating recovery from substance use disorders, mental health challenges, trauma, or related behavioral health conditions. This is documented through your Lived Experience Attestation as part of your application — reviewed with care and confidentiality. You do not need to disclose a specific diagnosis. Contact our PS team at peer.support@akcertification.org with any questions.
What training programs are approved for Peer Support certification?
ACBHC maintains a list of approved Peer Support training providers. Requirements vary by level — PSP I applicants need foundational training, while PSP II and PSP III require additional hours in advanced peer practice. Contact the PS team before starting training to confirm your program qualifies. Attending an unapproved program may delay your certification.
How is Traditional Peer Support (TPS) different from the standard PS track?
Traditional Peer Support honors Alaska Native and Indigenous healing traditions as a distinct form of peer support practice. It's a full self-service certification track in its own right — not a nomination pathway — with the same four levels and hour requirements as the standard PS track (TPS Associate through TPSP III), plus an additional Cultural Aspects on Alaska Native Wellness and Recovery course at every level, and a reference from an Indigenous Village Elder or recognized community leader. Contact ACBHC at peer.support@akcertification.org with any questions about which track fits you best.
Can I hold both a Peer Support certification and a CD or BH certification?
Yes. ACBHC allows practitioners to hold certifications across multiple tracks. Many behavioral health professionals also carry Peer Support credentials because lived experience enriches clinical practice. Your ACBHC portal account can hold all active certifications in one place, with separate renewal tracking and CEU logs for each.
How and when do I renew my Peer Support certification?
Your renewal window opens 90 days before your certification expiration date. You will receive email reminders through your portal account. Log in, navigate to your certification dashboard, and follow the renewal prompts. All CEU certificates must be logged and uploaded before your renewal is considered complete.
What happens if my certification lapses?
If your certification expires, you may no longer use your credential title until reinstated. You may apply for reinstatement within a grace period by submitting a renewal application, required CEUs, and any applicable late fees. After an extended lapse, you may be required to reapply as a new applicant. Contact the PS team as soon as possible — peer.support@akcertification.org.
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