12VAC35-250-20: Peer recovery specialist

A. Any person seeking to be a peer recovery specialist under this chapter shall (i) meet the qualifications, education, and experience requirements established in this chapter and (ii) hold a certification as a peer recovery specialist from a certifying body approved by DBHDS.

B. If the conditions in clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection A of this section are met, a person who is one of the following may act as a peer recovery specialist:

1. A parent of a minor or adult child with a mental illness or substance use disorder or co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder similar to the individual receiving peer recovery services; or

2. An adult with personal experience with a family member with a mental illness or substance use disorder or co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder similar to the individual receiving peer recovery services.

C. A registered peer recovery specialist shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of DBHDS, a provider licensed by DBHDS, a practitioner licensed by or holding a permit issued from the Department of Health Professions, or a facility licensed by the Department of Health.

D. Any person meeting the qualifications for a peer recovery specialist set forth in this chapter shall be eligible for registration by the Virginia Board of Counseling.