West Virginia Peer Support & Medicaid Guide

West Virginia has a formal peer recovery workforce spanning substance use recovery, mental health, co-occurring behavioral health conditions, Medicaid-funded services, recovery residences, emergency departments, community behavioral health, crisis services, and other recovery-oriented settings.

The state’s primary peer credential is the Peer Recovery Support Specialist, commonly abbreviated PRSS.

West Virginia now recognizes separate peer certification tracks through the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals, or WVCBAPP:

PRSS-SUD, for substance use disorder recovery
PRSS-MH, for mental health recovery
Certified Family Peer Specialist, or CFPS, for qualifying family peer roles

WVCBAPP also offers a newer supervisor credential for professionals supervising Peer Recovery Support Specialists. (WVCBAPP)

For Medicaid-reimbursable substance use peer services, West Virginia requires Peer Recovery Support Specialists to hold the applicable WVCBAPP peer certification. West Virginia Medicaid moved exclusively to WVCBAPP certification for reimbursable PRSS services beginning January 1, 2023. (WV DHHR)

West Virginia Peer Support Quick Facts

Category	West Virginia overview
State Medicaid program	West Virginia Medicaid
State behavioral health authority	West Virginia Department of Human Services
Behavioral health bureau	Bureau for Behavioral Health
Primary peer credential	Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Abbreviation	PRSS
Substance use credential	PRSS-SUD
Mental health credential	PRSS-MH
Family peer credential	Certified Family Peer Specialist
Credentialing organization	WVCBAPP
Education	High school diploma/GED
PRSS education	46 hours
PRSS experience	500 hours
SUD supervision	30 hours
Mental health supervision	25 hours
Examination	IC&RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination
Certification renewal	Every 2 years
Continuing education	20 hours
Ethics continuing education	6 hours
Medicaid peer support	Yes
Medicaid SUD peer code	H0038
Medicaid unit	15 minutes
Standard SUD daily limit	16 units
Prior authorization	Required under published Medicaid SUD policy
Telehealth	Available under published Medicaid SUD policy
Group SUD peer support	Not covered under cited Chapter 504 policy
Last reviewed	August 2026

What Is Peer Support in West Virginia?

West Virginia Medicaid describes Peer Recovery Support Services as services that facilitate recovery from substance use disorders and are delivered by trained, certified peers who have been successful in their own recovery.

The state’s Medicaid model emphasizes the value of shared experience. Peer Recovery Support Specialists can extend recovery support beyond clinical settings and into people’s:

Homes
Communities
Everyday recovery environments

West Virginia describes the role as helping people remain engaged in recovery, overcome barriers, and bridge gaps between their needs and available community resources. (WV DHHR)

West Virginia’s newer mental health certification pathway similarly recognizes the value of direct lived experience with mental health conditions and long-term recovery. (WVCBAPP)

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist, or PRSS, is West Virginia’s primary professional peer recovery designation.

WVCBAPP currently maintains separate certifications for:

Substance use disorder recovery
Mental health recovery

This distinction matters because the lived-experience and additional training requirements are not identical. (WVCBAPP)

PRSS-SUD

The PRSS-SUD credential is designed for professionals using their lived experience with substance use disorder recovery to support other people pursuing recovery.

WVCBAPP currently requires:

Personal lived experience with substance use disorder recovery
High school diploma or GED
46 hours of peer recovery education
500 hours of supervised paid or volunteer peer recovery experience
30 hours of supervision
IC&RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination
Recertification every two years

(WVCBAPP)

PRSS-MH

West Virginia also now offers a dedicated PRSS-MH credential for people with direct lived experience involving a mental health condition and long-term recovery.

WVCBAPP announced development of the mental health peer pathway in late 2024 and now publishes a full PRSS-MH certification pathway. (WVCBAPP)

Current requirements include:

Statement of personal mental health recovery
500 hours of supervised paid or volunteer peer experience
25 hours of supervision
46 hours of peer recovery education
15 additional hours of mental-health-specific education
IC&RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination

(WVCBAPP)

Education Requirement

Both PRSS-SUD and PRSS-MH certification require at least:

High school diploma
GED

A college degree is not required. (WVCBAPP)

PRSS Training

West Virginia’s certification framework requires:

46 clock hours of peer recovery education

specific to peer recovery domains. (WVCBAPP)

WVCBAPP’s published PRSS manual identifies the four primary educational areas as:

Advocacy
Mentoring/Education
Recovery/Wellness Support
Ethical Responsibility

The current manual allocates:

10 hours Advocacy
10 hours Mentoring/Education
10 hours Recovery/Wellness Support
16 hours Ethical Responsibility

for a total of 46 hours. (WVCBAPP)

Nationally Recognized Peer Training

WVCBAPP states that a nationally recognized Peer Support Specialist certification training may satisfy the majority of the required education.

Additional training may still be necessary if the applicant has not completed all required domain hours. (WVCBAPP)

Organizations should therefore verify the applicant’s training by domain rather than assuming any peer course automatically satisfies West Virginia certification.

PRSS Work Experience

Both PRSS-SUD and PRSS-MH currently require:

500 hours

of qualifying paid or volunteer peer recovery experience. (WVCBAPP)

Volunteer and part-time experience can qualify when completed under appropriate supervision.

WVCBAPP specifies that experience must be within the formal peer recovery domains.

Time spent:

In personal treatment
In personal recovery
In 12-step meetings
In other self-help meetings

does not count toward the professional experience requirement. (WVCBAPP)

PRSS-SUD Supervision

Current PRSS-SUD certification requires:

30 hours of supervision

specific to the peer recovery domains. (WVCBAPP)

WVCBAPP states that ongoing and initial supervision must occur at least:

Four times per month

while the individual is working or volunteering in the PRSS role. (WVCBAPP)

PRSS-MH Supervision

Current PRSS-MH certification requires:

25 hours of supervision

specific to peer recovery domains. (WVCBAPP)

As with SUD peers, ongoing and initial supervision must be provided regularly by documented and qualified organizational supervisory staff. (WVCBAPP)

Mental Health Additional Training

PRSS-MH applicants must complete an additional:

15 hours of mental-health-specific education.

Current WVCBAPP requirements include:

6 hours of Adult Mental Health First Aid or Taking Action
2 hours of Suicide Prevention Education
7 additional hours of mental-health-specific training

(WVCBAPP)

Adding Mental Health Certification to an Existing PRSS-SUD

A person who already holds an active, good-standing WVCBAPP PRSS-SUD credential may add the mental health certification.

Current WVCBAPP requirements include completion of the 15 hours of mental-health-specific education.

A new Peer Recovery examination is not required for a qualifying PRSS-SUD already in good standing. (WVCBAPP)

PRSS Examination

Both PRSS-SUD and PRSS-MH require applicants to pass the:

IC&RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist Examination. (WVCBAPP)

WVCBAPP requires valid government-issued photo identification for testing.

How to Become a West Virginia PRSS-SUD

Step 1: Meet the Education Requirement

Have a high school diploma or GED.

Step 2: Meet the Lived Experience Requirement

Have qualifying personal lived experience with substance use disorder recovery.

Step 3: Complete 46 Hours of Peer Education

Complete education across the required peer recovery domains.

Step 4: Accumulate 500 Hours of Peer Experience

Complete qualifying paid or volunteer work under supervision.

Step 5: Complete 30 Hours of Supervision

Document supervision across the peer recovery domains.

Step 6: Submit the Certification Application

Submit the applicable WVCBAPP application and documentation.

Step 7: Pass the IC&RC Examination

Successfully complete the Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination.

Step 8: Maintain Certification

Complete continuing education and recertify every two years.

How to Become a West Virginia PRSS-MH

The mental health pathway generally includes:

High school diploma or GED
Qualifying mental health lived experience and recovery
46 hours of peer recovery education
15 hours of additional mental health education
500 hours of qualifying peer experience
25 hours of supervision
WVCBAPP application
IC&RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination
Recertification

(WVCBAPP)

Certification Renewal

Both PRSS-SUD and PRSS-MH must be recertified:

Every two years. (WVCBAPP)

Continuing Education

Current WVCBAPP requirements specify:

20 hours of continuing education

during each two-year certification cycle.

At least:

6 hours must be specific to PRSS ethics. (WVCBAPP)

For PRSS-MH, the professional must also maintain applicable mental health training requirements, including continued Mental Health First Aid or Taking Action certification under the current certification structure. (WVCBAPP)

Certified Family Peer Specialist

West Virginia also offers a Certified Family Peer Specialist, or CFPS, credential through WVCBAPP.

The current West Virginia pathway requires applicants to maintain active certification through the National Federation of Families and then complete the WVCBAPP certification process. (WVCBAPP)

The West Virginia CFPS credential currently renews every:

Three years. (WVCBAPP)

Certified Peer Supervisor

West Virginia has also developed a formal Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery Support Specialist credential.

WVCBAPP currently offers two supervisor tracks:

A track for experienced WVCBAPP-certified PRSS professionals
A clinical track for qualifying licensed behavioral health and addiction professionals

(WVCBAPP)

The credential is currently being awarded provisionally while the IC&RC standardized supervisor examination is under development. (WVCBAPP)

Peer Supervisor Requirements

For the current PRSS supervisor track, published requirements include:

Active WVCBAPP PRSS-SUD or PRSS-MH certification
4,000 supervised hours in professional SUD or mental health services
300 hours of supervisory or leadership experience involving peer professionals
14 hours of recovery support supervision training
Additional education requirements
Qualifying lived experience and recovery

(WVCBAPP)

This gives West Virginia a formal pathway for developing peer-specific supervisors rather than relying exclusively on generic clinical supervision.

Mental Health Peer Support

West Virginia’s newer PRSS-MH credential formally recognizes people with lived experience involving mental health conditions.

Mental health peer support may include:

Recovery mentoring
Wellness support
Self-advocacy
Community integration
Behavioral health navigation
Coping support
Natural support development
Recovery education
Goal development
Crisis recovery support

The mental health credential requires additional education in Mental Health First Aid or Taking Action, suicide prevention, and other mental health topics. (WVCBAPP)

Substance Use Peer Support

Substance use recovery has been a major part of West Virginia’s peer infrastructure.

Medicaid describes PRSS services as helping people:

Overcome barriers
Bridge gaps between needs and resources
Stay engaged in recovery
Sustain long-term recovery
Extend recovery support beyond clinical settings

(WV DHHR)

Peer activities may also involve:

Recovery mentoring
Treatment engagement
Recovery planning
Community navigation
Recovery capital development
Housing resources
Employment resources
Mutual support connection
Wellness
Self-advocacy

Co-Occurring Disorders

West Virginia Medicaid specifically allows PRSS services for people with:

Substance use disorder
Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders

when substance use recovery is a focus of the peer service. (WV DHHR)

The state’s separate PRSS-MH pathway also provides a formal credential for peers whose lived experience centers on mental health recovery.

West Virginia Medicaid Peer Support

West Virginia Medicaid formally reimburses qualifying Peer Recovery Support Specialist services.

The current federal approval for West Virginia’s behavioral health Section 1115 demonstration specifically recognizes PRSS services through the 2025 to 2029 approval period. (WV DHHR)

CMS describes PRSS professionals as people who have been successful in their own substance use recovery and help others by providing recovery support intended to prevent recurrence of use and promote recovery. (WV DHHR)

Medicaid PRSS Certification

West Virginia Medicaid stopped issuing its own PRSS certification in 2022.

Beginning:

January 1, 2023

West Virginia Medicaid requires the applicable WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification for reimbursable PRSS services. (WV DHHR)

This makes the WVCBAPP credential especially important for organizations planning to bill Medicaid.

Medicaid Provider Enrollment

West Virginia Medicaid also requires PRSS professionals providing reimbursable services to have an:

National Provider Identifier, or NPI.

State materials identify Peer Recovery Support Specialist as a recognized Medicaid provider type within the West Virginia MMIS provider system. (WV DHHR)

Organizations should verify the current taxonomy and enrollment instructions directly through West Virginia Medicaid before enrolling new workers.

Medicaid Individual Peer Support

The published West Virginia Medicaid Chapter 504 Substance Use Disorder Services policy uses:

H0038

for Peer Recovery Support Specialist services.

The service unit is:

15 minutes. (WV DHHR)

Medicaid Service Limits

The published Chapter 504 policy identifies:

16 units per calendar day

for standard PRSS services. (WV DHHR)

At 15 minutes per unit, this corresponds to:

4 hours per day.

Providers should verify the current version of Chapter 504 before claims submission because Medicaid service limits may change.

Prior Authorization

The published West Virginia Medicaid policy identifies:

Prior authorization required

for PRSS services under Chapter 504. (WV DHHR)

Organizations should confirm current requirements for:

Fee-for-service
Managed care
Specific SUD programs

before providing reimbursable services.

Telehealth

The cited Chapter 504 Medicaid policy identifies:

Telehealth as available

for PRSS services. (WV DHHR)

Providers should verify current:

Technology requirements
Place-of-service requirements
Documentation
Member appropriateness
Managed care rules
Billing configuration

before providing remote Medicaid peer services.

Medicaid Group Peer Support

The cited West Virginia Medicaid Chapter 504 policy states:

Group peer support services are not a covered service

under the PRSS-SUD service described in that manual. (WV DHHR)

This is an important distinction from states where H0038 HQ group peer support is separately reimbursable.

Providers should verify whether another West Virginia Medicaid program or more recent policy has created a different group benefit before billing.

Medicaid Caseload Limit

The published Chapter 504 policy states that a Peer Recovery Support Specialist may not exceed:

20 members per PRSS. (WV DHHR)

Organizations providing Medicaid SUD peer services should track active peer caseloads.

Medicaid Age Requirements

The cited Chapter 504 policy states that qualifying PRSS services may be provided to eligible individuals:

Age 16 or older

with a substance use disorder or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorder. (WV DHHR)

The same published policy states that an adult PRSS age 18 or older serves adults age 18 or older and may not provide the service to juveniles. (WV DHHR)

Providers should verify the current age-specific peer qualification rules before serving adolescents.

Medicaid Provider Organizations

The cited Chapter 504 policy identifies:

Comprehensive Behavioral Health Centers
Licensed Behavioral Health Centers

as provider organizations that may provide Medicaid Peer Recovery Support Services under that policy. (WV DHHR)

Organizations should verify current provider eligibility under the latest Medicaid manual.

Medicaid Recommendation Requirement

The current federal West Virginia 1115 demonstration approval states that Peer Recovery Support Services are:

recommended by a licensed practitioner. (WV DHHR)

This is an important distinction between general community peer support and Medicaid-reimbursable PRSS services.

Medicaid Supervision

The same federal demonstration approval states that PRSS professionals may provide services while working under the supervision of a:

competent behavioral health professional, as defined by the state. (WV DHHR)

Organizations should separately verify state Medicaid supervisor qualifications.

Medicaid Continuing Education

CMS’ current demonstration terms also require Medicaid PRSS professionals to:

complete continuing educational requirements. (WV DHHR)

This aligns with WVCBAPP’s two-year renewal and 20-hour continuing education requirement. (WVCBAPP)

Emergency Department Peer Services

West Virginia Medicaid has publicly developed a separate Peer Recovery Support Specialist Emergency Department, or PRSS-ED, service.

Current public Chapter 504 materials state that PRSS-ED services are delivered in qualifying hospital emergency departments and must directly relate to the primary reason for the emergency visit. (WV DHHR)

The individual must be sufficiently alert and oriented to benefit from the service.

West Virginia’s public guidance specifically cautions against providing PRSS-ED services when circumstances such as:

Severe sedation
Severe psychosis
Delirium

prevent meaningful engagement. (WV DHHR)

Recovery Residences

West Virginia law formally recognizes recovery residences and provides for voluntary certification based on nationally recognized recovery residence standards. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

State law also requires peer-led recovery facilities receiving applicable state recovery funding to:

Follow National Alliance for Recovery Residences standards
Offer access to peer support services

(Federal Bureau of Investigation)

This creates an important connection between West Virginia’s recovery housing and peer support infrastructures.

Core Behavioral Health Crisis System

West Virginia law also recognizes peers within the state’s Core Behavioral Health Crisis Services System.

The statute defines peers as individuals employed on the basis of personal lived experience with:

Mental illness
Addiction
Recovery

who meet state peer certification requirements where applicable. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Peer workers may therefore play roles within crisis-system development in addition to traditional recovery programs.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

West Virginia law identifies peer support and family support among services included within the state’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic framework. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

CCBHCs may therefore create additional settings for:

Mental health peers
Substance use peers
Family peer professionals

subject to applicable CCBHC and Medicaid requirements.

State Recovery and Hope Office

West Virginia also maintains a State Recovery and Hope Office within the Governor’s Office.

State law charges the office with coordinating recovery efforts and helping people with substance use disorder transition into:

Career training
Employment
Long-term recovery supports

(Federal Bureau of Investigation)

This reflects West Virginia’s broader emphasis on connecting recovery with employment and community reintegration.

Addiction Care Recovery Outcomes Framework

West Virginia enacted a broader addiction-care outcomes framework emphasizing a coordinated continuum that includes:

Prevention
Early intervention
Treatment
Medication treatment
Recovery support
Supportive housing
Vocational and educational support
Peer services

(Federal Bureau of Investigation)

This places peer services within a broader recovery continuum rather than treating them as an isolated behavioral health intervention.

Scope of Peer Support

Depending on credential and program, West Virginia peer professionals may appropriately support people through:

Sharing relevant lived experience
Recovery mentoring
Recovery planning
Wellness support
Advocacy
Self-advocacy
Treatment engagement
Community navigation
Resource connection
Recovery education
Natural support development
Recovery capital development
Crisis recovery support
Housing navigation
Employment resources
Community integration
Family support

Activities Generally Outside Peer Scope

Unless separately licensed and authorized under another professional role, a PRSS generally should not:

Diagnose mental health conditions
Diagnose substance use disorders
Conduct psychotherapy
Provide licensed counseling
Prescribe medication
Provide medical advice
Conduct clinical assessments requiring professional licensure
Independently modify treatment plans
Make involuntary treatment decisions
Represent themselves as a licensed clinician
Provide legal advice

West Virginia Medicaid describes recovery support as nonclinical. (WV DHHR)

Peer Supervision

Supervision is central to West Virginia certification.

WVCBAPP requires substantial formal supervision for both:

PRSS-SUD
PRSS-MH

and has developed a separate Peer Recovery Support Specialist supervisor certification pathway. (WVCBAPP)

Peer-focused supervision may address:

Appropriate use of lived experience
Recovery orientation
Ethics
Boundaries
Documentation
Advocacy
Recovery planning
Community resources
Crisis escalation
Professional development
Staff wellness
Role fidelity

Documentation for West Virginia Peer Support

A strong West Virginia peer support note may include:

Participant identifier
Date
Start time
End time
Duration
Location
Modality
PRSS name
PRSS-SUD or PRSS-MH credential
Recovery goal
Peer intervention
Relevant lived-experience support
Advocacy
Mentoring
Recovery education
Resource navigation
Community connection
Participant response
Progress
Barriers
Follow-up
Signature or attestation

For Medicaid services, documentation should additionally support:

Covered PRSS service
Licensed practitioner recommendation where applicable
Active WVCBAPP certification
Medicaid provider status
15-minute units
Daily limits
Prior authorization
Telehealth requirements where applicable

Documentation Should Be

Accurate
Timely
Person-centered
Recovery-oriented
Strengths-based
Nonclinical
Specific
Respectful
Relevant
Consistent with peer scope
Connected to recovery goals

Documentation Should Avoid

Unsupported diagnoses
Clinical interpretations outside peer scope
Stigmatizing terminology
Generic statements such as “provided peer support”
Copy-and-paste documentation
Unnecessary sensitive information
Services that did not occur
Personal opinions presented as clinical facts
Documentation created solely to maximize reimbursement

Documentation and Billing Are Not the Same Thing

A completed peer support note does not automatically establish Medicaid reimbursement.

Payment may additionally depend on:

West Virginia Medicaid eligibility
Covered diagnosis
Provider eligibility
WVCBAPP certification
NPI enrollment
Licensed practitioner recommendation
Prior authorization
Supervisor qualification
Correct H0038 service
Units
Daily limits
Caseload limits
Documentation
Managed care requirements
Timely filing

Organizations should validate each requirement separately.

Confidentiality

West Virginia peer organizations may handle sensitive:

Mental health information
Substance use records
Recovery information
Family information
Housing information
Justice-system information

Applicable requirements may include:

HIPAA
42 CFR Part 2
West Virginia law
Medicaid requirements
WVCBAPP ethics standards
Organizational policies
Participant consent

Peer staff should receive role-specific confidentiality training.

Starting a Peer Support Program in West Virginia

Step 1: Define the Population

Determine whether the organization serves:

People with substance use disorders
People with mental health conditions
People with co-occurring conditions
Families
People using emergency departments
People living in recovery residences
Crisis populations
Medicaid members
Other recovery populations

Step 2: Determine the Peer Credential

Identify whether staff need:

PRSS-SUD
PRSS-MH
Both PRSS-SUD and PRSS-MH
Certified Family Peer Specialist
Peer supervisor certification

Step 3: Verify Lived Experience and Education

Track applicable:

High school diploma/GED
Personal recovery statement
Peer recovery education
Mental health-specific education
Specialty requirements

Step 4: Build Credential Tracking

For PRSS-SUD, track:

46 education hours
500 work hours
30 supervision hours
IC&RC examination
Certification
Expiration
20 continuing education hours
6 ethics hours

For PRSS-MH, also track:

15 mental health education hours
Mental Health First Aid or Taking Action
Suicide prevention training
25 supervision hours

Step 5: Establish Supervision

Determine:

Qualified supervisor
Supervision frequency
Supervision hours
Domains addressed
Peer supervisor certification where applicable

Step 6: Determine Organizational Eligibility

For Medicaid, verify:

Provider type
Medicaid enrollment
Behavioral health licensure
PRSS rendering-provider enrollment
Managed care participation

Step 7: Configure Medicaid Requirements

Where applicable, systems should support:

H0038
15-minute units
16-unit daily limit
Prior authorization
Telehealth
Active WVCBAPP certification
NPI
Licensed practitioner recommendation
20-person caseload limit
Group-service restriction under applicable SUD policy

Step 8: Build the Service Workflow

Map:

Referral or recommendation
Eligibility
Intake
Recovery goals
Peer assignment
Scheduling
Service delivery
Documentation
Supervision
Follow-up
Outcomes
Billing

Step 9: Separate Medicaid and Community Peer Work

Not every meaningful recovery activity qualifies for Medicaid.

Organizations should distinguish:

Medicaid PRSS services
Community recovery support
Recovery residence activities
Mutual-aid services
Grant-funded peer work
State-funded recovery services
Employment and recovery initiatives

Step 10: Measure Outcomes

Potential outcomes include:

Engagement
Recovery goal progress
Treatment engagement
Recovery capital
Self-advocacy
Community connection
Natural supports
Housing stability
Employment
Crisis utilization
Emergency department engagement
Participant satisfaction
Peer workforce retention
Credential compliance
Documentation timeliness

Common Challenges for West Virginia Peer Programs

PRSS-SUD vs. PRSS-MH

West Virginia now has distinct certifications for:

Substance use recovery
Mental health recovery

Programs should not assume they are interchangeable.

Different Supervision Requirements

The current certifications require:

30 supervision hours for PRSS-SUD
25 supervision hours for PRSS-MH

(WVCBAPP)

Credential systems should track the appropriate requirement.

Certification vs. Medicaid Enrollment

WVCBAPP certification does not by itself establish Medicaid reimbursement.

The peer may also need:

NPI
Medicaid enrollment
Employment through an eligible provider
Service authorization or prior authorization
Applicable supervision

Individual vs. Group Peer Support

The cited West Virginia Medicaid Chapter 504 policy covers individual H0038 PRSS services but states that group peer support is not covered within that SUD benefit. (WV DHHR)

Programs should not assume West Virginia follows the common H0038 HQ structure used by many other states.

Prior Authorization

Published Medicaid policy requires prior authorization for the cited PRSS service. (WV DHHR)

Programs need authorization tracking before claims are generated.

Caseload Limits

The cited Medicaid policy limits PRSS caseloads to:

20 members per Peer Recovery Support Specialist. (WV DHHR)

Organizations should monitor active assignments.

Mental Health Credential Is Newer

PRSS-MH is substantially newer than West Virginia’s substance use peer pathway.

Organizations should use current WVCBAPP materials rather than assuming older PRSS manuals fully address the mental health certification.

Emergency Department Peer Support

PRSS-ED has additional eligibility and clinical-context requirements.

A general community PRSS workflow should not automatically be applied to an emergency department encounter.

Recovery Residences

Peer support often intersects with recovery housing, but housing itself and professional Peer Recovery Support Services are distinct service types.

Organizations should track them separately.

Documentation Burden

Peer recovery is relationship-based and nonclinical.

Documentation should support compliance without forcing peers to write as though they were licensed clinicians.

Role Drift

Peers may gradually be assigned:

Generic case management
Administrative work
Transportation-only duties
Clinical responsibilities
Compliance monitoring

Organizations should preserve the distinct peer recovery role.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is West Virginia’s primary peer credential?

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist, or PRSS.

Does West Virginia distinguish mental health and substance use peer credentials?

Yes.

WVCBAPP currently offers:

PRSS-SUD
PRSS-MH

(WVCBAPP)

Who certifies West Virginia PRSS professionals?

The West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals, or WVCBAPP. (WVCBAPP)

Is a high school diploma required?

Yes.

A high school diploma or GED is required for both current PRSS pathways. (WVCBAPP)

How much peer training is required?

46 hours of peer recovery education. (WVCBAPP)

What are the main training domains?

Advocacy
Mentoring/Education
Recovery/Wellness Support
Ethical Responsibility

(WVCBAPP)

How much work experience is required?

500 hours of qualifying paid or volunteer experience. (WVCBAPP)

How much supervision is required for PRSS-SUD?

30 hours. (WVCBAPP)

How much supervision is required for PRSS-MH?

25 hours. (WVCBAPP)

Does PRSS-MH require extra mental health training?

Yes.

Current requirements include an additional 15 hours of mental-health-specific education. (WVCBAPP)

Is an examination required?

Yes.

Applicants must pass the IC&RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist examination. (WVCBAPP)

How often does PRSS certification renew?

Every two years. (WVCBAPP)

How much continuing education is required?

20 hours every two years, including 6 hours of PRSS ethics. (WVCBAPP)

Does West Virginia have family peer certification?

Yes.

WVCBAPP offers a Certified Family Peer Specialist credential. (WVCBAPP)

Does West Virginia have a peer supervisor credential?

Yes.

WVCBAPP has established a Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery Support Specialist pathway. (WVCBAPP)

Does West Virginia Medicaid cover peer recovery support?

Yes.

Peer Recovery Support Specialist services remain part of West Virginia’s approved Medicaid behavioral health demonstration. (WV DHHR)

What certification does Medicaid require?

Since January 1, 2023, Medicaid has required the applicable WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification for reimbursable PRSS services. (WV DHHR)

What is the Medicaid SUD peer code?

The cited Chapter 504 policy uses:

H0038. (WV DHHR)

What is the billing unit?

15 minutes. (WV DHHR)

What is the standard daily service limit?

The cited policy lists:

16 units per calendar day. (WV DHHR)

Is prior authorization required?

Under the cited Chapter 504 PRSS policy, yes. (WV DHHR)

Is telehealth available?

The cited Medicaid policy lists telehealth as available. (WV DHHR)

Does Medicaid cover group PRSS services?

The cited Chapter 504 Substance Use Disorder Services policy states that group peer support is not covered under that particular PRSS benefit. (WV DHHR)

Is there a PRSS caseload limit?

The cited Chapter 504 policy lists a maximum of:

20 members per PRSS. (WV DHHR)

Does Medicaid require a licensed practitioner recommendation?

The current CMS-approved West Virginia demonstration states that PRSS services are recommended by a licensed practitioner. (WV DHHR)

Can peers work in emergency departments?

Yes.

West Virginia Medicaid publicly recognizes a PRSS-ED service for qualifying emergency department encounters. (WV DHHR)

Are peer services part of West Virginia’s crisis system?

Yes.

West Virginia law explicitly recognizes peers within its behavioral health crisis system. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Do recovery residences use peer support?

West Virginia law requires applicable peer-led recovery facilities to offer access to peer support services. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Are PRSS professionals clinicians?

No.

The cited Medicaid policy describes Peer Recovery Support Services as nonclinical recovery support. (WV DHHR)

Official West Virginia Peer Support Resources

West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals

Official certification organization for West Virginia’s PRSS-SUD, PRSS-MH, Certified Family Peer Specialist, and Peer Recovery Support Specialist supervisor credentials.