Who are Recovery Coaches?
A Recovery Coach (RC) is an individual with lived experience of substance misuse who is living well in recovery. A Recovery Coach uses their lived experience and recovery story to instill hope. They discuss recovery issues from a peer perspective and support adult peers in reaching and maintaining their own personal recovery goals. In addition, a RC may serve as an advocate, guide peers on accessing resources, and model competency in recovery and wellness. Recovery Coaches promote skills for improving mental and physical wellbeing and increasing resiliency. They promote self-determination, recognize there are multiple pathways of recovery, and help peers become and stay engaged in their own recovery.
Where do Recovery Coaches work?
Recovery Coaches are employed in substance use treatment facilities, social service agencies, peer-run recovery centers, peer-run respites, community-based organizations, hospitals, prisons, law enforcement agencies, mobile crisis teams, and other healthcare organizations. Recovery Coaches may also serve on a variety of advisory boards and committees at local, state, and national levels.
Recovery Coach Trainings
(Offered through CCAR's Recovery Coach Academy)
To apply for this training, you must:
- be at least 18 years old,
- have a GED or high school diploma,
- have a substance use disorder and be living well in recovery, OR be a family member of a person in recovery from a substance use disorder.
Recovery Coach Training in Person June 2025
Registration: Please click here to apply.
Training Dates and Time: June 23-27, 2025, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Full Circle Recovery, 4725 Merle Hay Road, Suite 107, Des Moines, IA
This training is in person.
Recovery Coach Training October 2025
Registration: Registration will open September 15th. A link will appear here.
Training Dates and Time: October 20th-24th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central.
Location: Virtual training via Zoom through Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery.
Recovery Coach Continuing Education
This continuing education is for recovery coaches who have gone through the Recovery Coach Academy training.
All CEUS will be provided by Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery.
Recovery Coaching in Emergency Departments
Registration: Registration is closed.
Training Dates and Time: June 2nd - 3rd, 2025, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Central)
Location: Virtual training via Zoom through Full Circle Recovery
Spirituality and Recovery Coaching
Registration: Registration will open June 4th. A link will appear here.
Training Dates and Time: July 2-3, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Central)
Location: Virtual training via Zoom through Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery
Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches
Registration: Registration will open on June 16th. A link will appear here.
Training Dates and Time: July 14-16, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Central)
Location: Virtual training via Zoom through Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery
Training Details
Lodging Information
You must arrange and pay for your own lodging (if applicable). If you are currently employed as a Recovery Coach, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
Cost
This training is FREE, however, trainees must pay for their own lodging, food and travel costs. If you are currently employed as a Recovery Coach, check with your employer about covering these expenses.
Meals
You must make arrangements for your own food. There are many food options near the training sites. Most training locations do not allow outside food to be brought into the venue.
Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this training, please contact us at 319-335-2513 or email us at katelyn-akright@uiowa.edu
Recovery Coach FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of education do I need to take the training?
You must have a high school diploma or GED.
What skills do I need to be a Recovery Coach?
The training will provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills. However, in general the role involves the ability to:
- Model effective coping and self-help techniques.
- Work with individuals from diverse socio economic and cultural backgrounds.
- Attend workplace meetings and complete agency requirements.
- Assist people with finding community and natural supports and teaching them how to utilize these services.
- Advocate for someone’s needs and accompany them to meetings as needed.
- Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team focusing on each person’s choices for recovery.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Adhere to confidentiality and understand protected health information.
- Maintain records and provide accurate documentation.
- Use computers (e.g. basic computer skills-email, web searches, word processing).
- Maintain a part-time or full-time work schedule.
- Share your own personal story of living in recovery.
Are there age limits to take the training?
You must be 18 years of age to take the Recovery Coach training.
How do I apply?
When applications are open there will be a link above to click and apply for Recovery Coach Training.
- Applications will be screened when the application process closes.
- At this time, Recovery Coach training is being prioritized for individuals currently employed as a RC. Those with a pending employment opportunity will also be considered.
- Training acceptance notifications will be sent via email. Applicants can expect to receive a notification around 4 weeks before the start of training.
For questions, please email us at katelyn-akright@uiowa.edu
Pathways To Become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Peer Support Specialist Training
In-person training: 40 hours
+
Ethics training: 6 hours
= 46 hours of training approved by IBC
Recovery Coach Training
Recovery Coach Academy: 30 hours
+
Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches: 16 hours
= 46 hours of training approved by IBC
Iowa Board of Certification Requirements
Application
+
Hours
+
Supervision hours
+
Exam
Peer Recovery Specialist
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Requirements
Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) certification is administered by the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC). For detailed information, please refer to the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) Handbook and PRS Application at https://iowabc.org/prs/. If you have questions about certification, contact the IBC office at 515-965-5509 or email info@iowabc.org.