Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS)-Applicants

A Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) is a person who, by education and experience, is professionally qualified and registered by the Board to provide collaborative services to assist individuals in achieving sustained recovery from the effects of mental illness, addiction, or both. A RPRS may provide collaborative services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, a practitioner licensed by or holding a permit issued from the Department of Health Professions, or a facility licensed by the Department of Health.

NOTE: Medicaid policy requires you hold an active Board of Counseling RPRS registration and a current certification from one of the entities approved by DBHDS in 12VAC35-250-30 in order to be reimbursed for your services.

Requirements for Application:

Professional Certification: Registered Peer Recovery Specialists (RPRS) must meet ONE of the following:

Hold a current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Certificate issued by the Virginia Certification Board (VCB); or
Hold a current Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) Certificate issued by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADC) and completed the DBHDS Peer Recovery Specialist Training; or
Hold a current and valid Peer Recovery Specialist certification from a state whose certification process has been accepted by DBHDS and completed the DBHDS Peer Recovery Specialist Training; or
Hold a Veterans Administration Peer Recovery Specialist certification and completed the DBHDS Peer Recovery Specialist Training.

Follow these steps to apply for Registration

Step 1. Read:

Laws regarding the Practice of Counseling in the state of Virginia.
Regulations governing the Registration of Peer Recovery Specialists in the state of Virginia.
RPRS - Frequently Asked Questions.

Step 2. Gather & Request Supporting Documentation:

Review the Application Instructions for Registration as a Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) for the documents needed to submit with your online application.
Gather and request the necessary documents.

Step 3. Apply:

Do not start the online application until you have requested or obtained the applicable documents from Step 2. Submitting incomplete applications will delay the review and approval process.

Begin the Online Application:

Register for an Account or Login if you have an existing account.
Select Initial Application from the menu.
Select ‘Counseling’ as the Profession.
Select 'Registered Peer Recovery Specialist' as the License Type.
Select ‘Application’ as the Obtained by Method.
Click ‘Start Application’.

Complete the Required Fields.

Step 4. Upload Documentation:

Within the online application portal, upload the applicable documentation. PDF file format is preferred.

The following are possible documents you may be required to upload within the online application portal:

Verification of Peer Recovery Specialist Credential
National Practitioners Data Bank Self-Query Report
Verification of License/Certification/Registration
Proof of Name Change
Supporting Documentation for any criminal convictions, past actions, or possible impairments.

Step 5. Pay the Fee Online:

Within the online application portal, pay the application fee.

The fee for Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) is $30.00.
All fees are nonrefundable.

Step 6. Wait for Board Approval: (up to 30 days from complete application)

You will receive automated emails from qmhp@dhp.virginia.gov with your application status.
You can also visit the Online Checklist to view the status of your application.
If your name or address changes prior to receiving your approval to begin your supervised experience, notify the Board as soon as possible in writing by submitting the Name/Address Change Form.
Contact the Board with any questions: qmhp@dhp.virginia.gov or TEL: (804) 367-3053

Important Reminders for All Applicants

Providing false or misleading information as well as omitting information in response to information requested in the application or as part of the application process is considered falsification of the application and may be grounds for denial of or taking disciplinary action against an existing registration, certification, or license.
Incomplete applications will remain active for one year from the date of payment. If your application is still incomplete after the one-year timeframe, you will be required to re-apply by submitting a new application, fee, and documentation pursuant to the regulations at that time.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-2400.2 addresses of licensees are made available to the public. Normally, the Address of Record is the publicly disclosed address. If you do not want your Address of Record to be made public, you may provide a second publicly disclosable address (e.g. work or practice address). If you would like your Address of Record to be publicly available, please complete both sections with the same address on the application.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-116 (A), you are required to submit your social security number, or your control number issued by the Virigina Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do so, the processing of your application will be suspended, and fees will not be refunded. This number will be used by the Department of Health Professions for identification and will not be disclosed for other purposes except as provided for by law. Federal and state law requires that this number be shared with other agencies for child support enforcement activities. No license will be issued to any individual who has failed to disclose one of these numbers.