Vermont Certified Recovery Coach
Proudly supported by Prevention Works!VT
Why Become a Certified Recovery Coach?
Vermont faces significant challenges related to substance use and addiction. Certified recovery coaches play a crucial role in addressing these issues by providing peer support and guidance to individuals seeking recovery. By sharing your experiences and offering support, you can help others navigate their recovery journeys, contributing to a healthier and safer Vermont. If you’ve experienced recovery yourself, becoming a certified coach is a powerful way to give back, support others, and turn your experience into a meaningful career.
Becoming a certified peer recovery coach isn’t just a job—it’s a commitment to helping others, strengthening communities, and advancing recovery for all. The need is real, and your experience matters.
You can make a difference. Start your certification journey today.
Certified Recovery Coach Requirements
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Requirement #1
Already employed or volunteering at an organization or facility that provides recovery resources to people in Vermont
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Requirement #2
Complete the Vermont Recovery Coach Academy (VRCA) program (other programs may be approved)
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Requirement #3
Have worked 500+ hours as a volunteer or paid recovery coach within the last seven years
25 of those 500 hours must have been directly supervised by a Recovery Coach Supervisor -
Requirement #4
Have a High School Diploma or GED
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Requirement #5
Receive a passing grade on the exam
Training Options in Vermont
To serve effectively as a recovery coach, proper training is essential. Whether seeking a paid position or hoping to volunteer, individuals must complete a formal training program. In fact, most peer recovery roles—paid or unpaid—require documented training to ensure coaches are skilled, ethical, and prepared to support others on their recovery journey.
In Vermont, a variety of training programs are available to help aspiring coaches meet these requirements. While the options are diverse, it’s common for different organizations to use the same core curriculum or training model. As a result, participants across programs often receive similar foundational knowledge, regardless of where they train.
Recovery Partners of Vermont plays a vital role in supporting and advancing the certification of recovery coaches across the state. By providing access to quality training, resources, and mentorship, they help ensure that recovery coaches are well-prepared to serve their communities with professionalism and integrity. Their efforts strengthen the peer recovery workforce, promoting consistent standards and ethical practices throughout Vermont.
Recovery Partners of Vermont is comprised of 12 partner organizations throughout the state:
- Kingdom Recovery Center in St. Johnsbury
- Jenna’s Promise in Johnson
- Journey to Recovery Community Center in Newport
- Turning Point Center of Bennington in Bennington
- Turning Point Center of Central Vermont in Barre
- Upper Valley Turning Point in White River Junction
- Turning Point Center of Springfield in Springfield
- Turning Point Center of Rutland in Rutland
- Turning Point of Windham County in Battleboro
- Vermont Foundation of Recovery in Essex Junction
- Turning Point Center of Addison County in Middlebury
Important things you need to know about the CRC application
Every two years, CRCs must go through a recertification process. Eligibility for recertification requires certified coaches to work or volunteer for a recovery-related resource in Vermont and complete 20 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Of those 20 hours of CEUs, six must be in ethics, six must be in motivational interviewing, and eight can be from any approved training program on topics of the CRC’s choosing. CRC applicants must also have undergone 20 hours of mentorship with a Recovery Coach Supervisor. That supervisor must sign off on the certification renewal application.
Vermont Recovery Coaches use the Certemy platform as their central hub for managing the certification process from start to finish. From submitting an initial application to uploading all required supporting documentation, such as training certificates, supervision hours, and continuing education, Certemy streamlines and organizes every step. This user-friendly system ensures transparency, tracks progress, and keeps coaches up to date on deadlines and requirements. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or renewing your credential, Certemy is the go-to resource for maintaining compliance and staying connected with Vermont’s recovery workforce standards.
Certemy User Tips
- Use one email account. If you need to change your email, see the information below.
- Don’t use your work email. If you change jobs, it can be hard to access your Certemy account, especially if you forget your password. Changing your email is not easy and takes time. To avoid delays, use a personal email address.
- When starting a new application, don’t use a different email if you already have a Certemy account. Use the same name, email, and password you used for your original application.
- To change your email or other profile details, you need to submit a request through the [Contact Us] section or tell Prevention Works staff directly by phone or email.
- To reset your password, go to the Certemy login page and click the [Forgot password?] button.
- To change your name, go to your Certemy account and select the [profile details] link from the profile icon in the top right.
- Be careful with your spelling. Your documents will be printed based on the information you provide.
- If you need help, use our information request form.