Wv Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals

05/07/2026

Representing at the social work conference 

05/04/2026

Congratulations to our team!

04/14/2026

💙💛

04/14/2026

Come see us in Huntington today!

04/03/2026

📢 Important Application Clarification for ADC & AADC Credentials

The West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) would like to clarify requirements for individuals applying for the Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) and Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) credentials.

To be eligible:
✔ SUD-specific continuing education hours must be counseling-focused
✔ Work experience and supervision must align with counseling domains and core functions

Please note:
➡️ Experience obtained in a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) role does not count toward ADC or AADC counseling experience requirements
➡️ Eligibility is based on the functions performed—not the job title.
This means that even if your title includes behavioral health or recovery support, only counseling-related functions will be considered.
➡️ WVCBAPP evaluates whether duties reflect clinical counseling activities within established counseling domains and core functions

📌 Example for clarification:
Facilitating a clinical treatment group, completing assessments, and developing treatment plans = counseling functions ✔
Providing mentorship or lived-experience support = peer support functions (PRSS) ✖

📌 Additional clarification:
Personal recovery time and participation or leadership in self-help groups (e.g., AA/NA) are valuable, but they do not count toward counseling experience or work requirements for ADC, AADC, or PRSS.

All applications are formally reviewed upon submission. If deficiencies are identified, applicants will be provided guidance and allowed up to two years to complete requirements.

Thank you for your continued commitment to high-quality substance use disorder services in West Virginia.

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

Big news for West Virginia 👏

SB 897 is now law.

This is a major step forward for our state — creating a clear pathway for the licensure and certification of alcohol and drug counselors and strengthening our workforce when it comes to substance use disorder treatment.

📅 Effective June 12, 2026

This didn’t happen overnight. A lot of people have worked hard behind the scenes to move this forward, and it truly matters — especially for individuals, families, and communities who need access to the right level of care.

More to come as implementation rolls out, but today is a good day for West Virginia.

A special thanks to our sponsor Senator Helton and our co-sponsors Senator Morris and Rose 

04/01/2026

We’re excited to share that the Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist Supervisor (CPRSS-S) certification is in development!

The manual is now available on the WVCBAPP website, outlining the minimum requirements and eligibility for this credential.

At this time, this credential will begin under a provisional status, as the national exam component is still being finalized. Individuals approved during this period will be required to complete the exam once it becomes available in order to obtain full credentialing with national reciprocity.

🚨 Please note: The application is not yet open.
We will announce as soon as applications are available.

The fee schedule will follow the peer amounts. 

Stay tuned—more to come soon!

03/31/2026

We still have plenty of events planned for the rest of the Spring semester. Come out and join us on the Memorial Student Center Plaza for Bloom in Recovery, celebrating women in recovery on April 10th, and The Power of Us: Collegiate Recovery and Community, celebrating Collegiate Recovery Week on April 14th. We have plenty of free training sessions on the topics you see listed, as well as volunteer opportunities to serve food at Harmony House. Come out, join us, and be part of the movement.

03/31/2026

🌟 Now Open: Certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS) – State Credentialing Available 🌟

WVVCBAPP is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS) credential in West Virginia!

This credential recognizes individuals with lived experience supporting a family member with behavioral health needs and formalizes that role within our state’s workforce. The lived experience does not have to be with substance use or recovery.

✅ Important Requirement:
To apply through WVCBAPP, applicants must first obtain the Certified Family Peer Specialist credential through the National Federation of Families (NFF).

Once you have completed the NFF certification, you may then apply to WVCBAPP to become state-recognized.

👉 Why apply through WVCBAPP if it’s a national credential?

While the CFPS originates at the national level, state approval is required to:
• Ensure alignment with West Virginia Medicaid requirements
• Support workforce tracking and reporting
• Uphold state-specific ethical standards and oversight
• Maintain consistency across behavioral health services in WV

This process allows family peer specialists to be fully recognized and integrated into West Virginia’s behavioral health system.

💻 The WVCBAPP application is now open!
If you already hold your NFF certification, we encourage you to apply today.

📌 More information and application details can be found on our website.