Peer support specialist training in Spokane & North Idaho
5 programs open to the public. Each shows its length, cost and format as the school publishes them, what backs it, and a link to enroll. 7 open peer support jobs on the board now.
Who approves these programs
Who approves these: Washington's Department of Health certifies peer support specialists: a year or more in recovery from a mental health or substance use condition (or being the parent or guardian of a youth in behavioral health care), the Health Care Authority's free 80-hour training, which includes the exam, and then 1,000 supervised hours as a trainee (chapter 18.420 RCW, chapter 246-929 WAC). From January 1, 2027, only certified peer support specialists and trainees can bill Medicaid or insurers for peer services, per HCA. In Idaho, BPA Health certifies peer support specialists and family support partners for the Department of Health and Welfare: lived experience, a high school diploma or GED, 40 hours of training from a state-listed trainer, then supervised work or volunteer hours; IBADCC separately certifies recovery coaches. Source: DOH's peer support specialist certification requirements.
Checked Sep 29, 2026 against DOH's and HCA's requirements, Idaho Health and Welfare's list of approved peer trainers, and each trainer's own page. Dates, costs and approvals change: confirm with the program before you pay. A listing isn't an endorsement, and schools don't pay to be listed here.
Programs open to the public
In alphabetical order by school.
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Idaho Recovery Coach Training Academy (BPA Health)
Recovery Coach Training
Next start November 16, 2026
- Where
- North Idaho, ID
- How it's taught
- In person (Monday–Friday, 8 am–6 pm)
- Length
- 5 days
- Cost
- $150
The site isn't posted yet; enrollment closes November 10, 2026. This is recovery coach training (IBADCC certifies recovery coaches), not Idaho's peer support specialist certificate.
Funded by Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare, per the academy's page; Idaho Health and Welfare's recovery coaching page points to it.
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Idaho Recovery Coach Training Academy (BPA Health)
Recovery Coach Training (virtual evening series)
Next start December 1, 2026
- Where
- Statewide, ID
- How it's taught
- Online (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 4–9 pm)
- Length
- December 1–17, 2026 (evening sessions)
- Cost
- $150
Enrollment closes November 24, 2026. This is recovery coach training (IBADCC certifies recovery coaches), not Idaho's peer support specialist certificate.
Funded by Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare, per the academy's page; Idaho Health and Welfare's recovery coaching page points to it.
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T.O.T.E.M.H. LLC
Peer Support Training (Idaho Certified Peer Support Specialist)
- Where
- Post Falls, ID
- Length
- 40 hours (1 week)
- Cost
- $555, due at least 14 days before the course starts
Offered "semi-quarterly"; no dates are posted. Its site gives a Post Falls address but also calls it a Boise agency with no office yet, so ask where the next class meets.
On Idaho Health and Welfare's list of approved peer support specialist trainers.
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T.O.T.E.M.H. LLC
Family Support Training (Idaho Certified Family Support Partner)
- Where
- Post Falls, ID
- Length
- 40 hours (1 week)
- Cost
- $555, due at least 14 days before the course starts
For caregivers who use their own experience to support other families. Offered "semi-quarterly"; no dates are posted. Ask where the next class meets.
On Idaho Health and Welfare's list of approved family support partner trainers.
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Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA)
Certified Peer Support Specialist training
- Where
- Statewide, WA
- How it's taught
- Online (fully virtual, 20 half days) or hybrid (5 days in person plus 10 virtual half days); HCA doesn't post dates or sites
- Length
- 80 hours, after an online prerequisite course
- Cost
- Free (HCA says it provides peer trainings and testing at no cost)
For people 18 or older with at least a year in recovery from a mental health or substance use condition, or parents or guardians of a youth who has had behavioral health services. Finish the online prerequisite course, then apply to HCA with its certificate; the exam is part of the training.
The training Washington's Department of Health requires for the credential (DOH's certification requirements page; HCA's fact sheet, Nov 2025, and FAQ, July 2025).
For schools and training programs
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