Welcome to EPIC (Empowered Peers of Idaho Collaborative), a statewide network connecting, empowering, and uplifting Idaho’s peer recovery workforce. Whether you’re looking to join the field or you’re already walking alongside others on their journey, EPIC Peers Network is your go-to resource for connection, guidance, and professional growth.
Check out the map below for job opportunities, recovery coach training, and peer support certifications.
Are you looking for a meaningful career where your personal journey can inspire hope and healing in others? In this video, you’ll hear directly from Peer Support Specialists who have turned their lived experience with mental health and substance use recovery into a powerful tool for connection and change. If you’ve walked the path of recovery, this could be the next step in your journey.
Idaho’s behavioral health system—reflecting addiction peer support capacity—currently satisfies only about 25% of existing treatment needs.
As of 2022, every county in Idaho was officially designated a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for mental health providers, indicating severe statewide gaps in care, including peers support and recovery services.
Synthetic opioids were involved in 44% of these deaths, signaling a sharp rise in overdose fatalities. The staffing shortage in peer recovery roles significantly limits outreach and overdose prevention efforts statewide.
From lived experiences to lifesaving impact, become a recovery coach or certified peer support specialist to help fill the mental health workforce gap in Idaho.
If you’re in recovery and ready to give back, becoming a Certified Recovery Coach is a powerful way to support others on their journey. Idaho offers a clear path to certification, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
To get started, you’ll need:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a GED, high school diploma, or college transcript
Provide two letters of reference that attest to your time in sustained recovery. These letters should be written on official letterhead and need to be signed and dated.
Once you’re approved, you’ll be eligible to enroll in a Recovery Coach training course.
Attend a 46 hour training course (in-person or virtual) that is approved by IBADCC (Idaho Recovery Coach Training Academy, CCAR, or accredited college or university). This course covers:
Training costs typically range from $150–$400 and may be covered by employers or grants.
After completing training, apply for certification through the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). You’ll need to:
Once certified as a Provisional Peer Recovery Coach, you can begin working as a Recovery Coach in a variety of settings—treatment centers, hospitals, peer recovery centers, and more. The Provisional certification is good for 12 months and cannot be renewed.
After you have been certified as a Provisional Peer Recovery Coach you will have 12 months to complete the full requirements for the Peer Recovery Coach certification and pass the IC&RC exam. You’ll need to:
If you have past legal history, you may still qualify by applying for a Behavioral Health Waiver. This allows you to work in certain settings while your eligibility is reviewed.
Start your journey today and become a vital part of Idaho’s peer recovery workforce. Your story is your strength.
Are you ready to use your lived experience to support others on their recovery journey? Becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) in Idaho is a powerful way to make a difference—and the path is straightforward.
Here’s how to get started:
To qualify, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be in active recovery for at least one year from a mental health and/or substance use condition
Once eligible, complete a 40-hour state-approved Peer Support training, where you’ll learn recovery principles, trauma-informed care, peer ethics, and more.
After training, apply for your 6-month provisional certification through BPA Health.
Once approved, you’ll be certified to work and bill as a Peer Support Specialist while you complete your field hours.
During your provisional certification period, you’ll need to complete:
20 hours of supervision from a qualified professional
100–200 hours of peer support work, depending on your education level
After completing your hours, your supervisor will submit a verification form—and you’ll earn your full 1-year certification!
Most employers require a fingerprint-based background check. If something in your past may be a concern, you may still qualify by applying for a Behavioral Health Waiver through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Start your journey today and become part of Idaho’s growing peer support workforce. Whether you’ve walked the path of recovery from mental health challenges, substance use, or both—your experience matters.
This page was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $499,514.00 with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.