BEFORE YOU START: It is important to be aware that you will be required to pass a background check as part of the certification process. To learn about this process and the specific requirements, we recommend reviewing this article before starting the steps below.
Completing online orientation is the first step to becoming a certified Peer Specialist in Texas. This orientation will provide you with an overview of the career field, help you gauge your readiness, and ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements needed to obtain your certification.
The orientation information is located here.
Once you read through the self-assessment questions and orientation resources, you will need to download and sign the attestation of completion located at the bottom of the HHSC webpage. You will need a copy of this to register
for training.
Peer Training in Texas is provided by independent Certified Training Entity Organizations-That’s ME. You can register for MHPS and Peer Specialist Supervisor through me directly. Once you register, I will provide all the information you need to attend the course.
This core training is a 3-day 19.5 hour, in-person or online workshop that will give you a comprehensive overview of what peer support is, and what peer specialists do, and familiarize you with the role and functions of a Peer Specialist.
This training is a 40 hour, in-person or online training that helps peers learn and practice the essential skills for a Peer Support Specialist. In order to move forward with your state application, you must also pass a knowledge assessment at the end of the course.
After you complete Core and Supplemental training, you must begin your application process with the Texas Certification Board (TCB).
TCB uses a digital application called Certemy that you will be uploading information into for the duration of your internship and supervision period.
After you complete your training, I will help you set up your Certemy application, because it can get a bit confusing at times.
In order to gain MHPS certification, you will need to complete 250 internship hours under the supervision of a Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS), either in-person or online. These internship hours can be done on the job or in a volunteer position, as long as they are signed off on by a Peer Specialist Supervisor and logged in your Certemy application. Certemy will walk you through how to give PSS access to your application to log your work experience hours. We offer supervision at TCI as well.
After completing the necessary internship hours, you will need to complete and submit your Certemy application with their Peer Specialist Supervisor’s information, all hours logged, and a Letter of Recommendation from their PSS.
After completing your 250 hours, ask your PSS for a Letter of Recommendation. Upload this to your Certemy account and submit it for approval.
Wait for certification; you will be notified by the TCB when your application has been reviewed and approved and will be sent your official Peer Specialist Certification.
The Mental Health Peer Specialist training require prior completion of the CORE training. These specialized courses are designed for individuals who have personally faced mental health challenges and are eager to utilize their own experiences to support others in their paths to recovery.
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A Mental Health Peer Specialist is a person who has lived experience of recovery with mental health challenges who is trained to support people with mental health challenges. They provide support by honoring the self-identification and self-determination of the people receiving peer services,
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A Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS) is a person who supports and guides a peer specialists after they obtain their certification. A PSS will oversee peer specialists while they provide the necessary components of peer work, such as giving recovery-oriented peer services, skill-building,
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