The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 26: Professions and Occupations

Chapter 060: Peer Support Providers And Peer Recovery Support Specialists [Effective July 1, 2025]

• § 3191. Definitions [Effective July 1, 2025]

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Certified peer support provider” means an individual who holds a certificate to engage in the practice of peer support services under this chapter.

  (2) “Certified peer recovery support specialist” means an individual who holds a certificate to engage in the practice of recovery support services under this chapter.

  (3) “Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Support Providers” means the code of ethics for certified peer support providers approved and adopted by the Department of Mental Health.

  (4) “Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists” means the code of ethics for certified peer recovery support specialists approved and adopted by the Department of Health.

  (5) “Office” means the Office of Professional Regulation.

  (6) “Peer support provider credentialing body” means the entity authorized by the Department of Mental Health to, in addition to other duties:

  (A) issue credentials to peer support providers to demonstrate that a peer support provider has met the qualifications for certification under the chapter; and

  (B) approve acceptable continuing education courses.

  (7) “Peer support” means the provision of those services that address mutually agreeable issues or areas of life consistent with the Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Support Providers that are reasonably related to increasing an individual’s capacity to live a self-determined life of their own choosing and that are provided in a mutual relationship between individuals with a lived experience of trauma, mental health, or substance use challenges. “Peer support” emphasizes a nonjudgmental, values-driven approach that promotes multiple perspectives, advocates for human rights and dignity, and focuses on genuine, mutual relationships that enrich the lives of those involved. “Peer support” includes providing health and wellness supports; supporting individuals in accessing community-based resources and navigating State and local systems; providing employment supports, including transitioning into and staying in the workforce; and promoting empowerment and a sense of hope through self-advocacy. “Peer support” does not include the provision of psychotherapy as defined in section 4082 of this title.

  (8) “Practice of peer support” means the provision of peer support in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Support Providers.

  (9) “Practice of recovery support services” means the provision of recovery support services in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists.

  (10) “Recovery support services” means a set of culturally competent, nonclinical, evidence-based activities provided consistent with the Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists and coordinated through a written individualized recovery plan of care that documents a substance use disorder and reflects the need and preferences of the individual in achieving the specific, individualized, measurable goals specified in the plan. “Recovery support services” are provided in a mutual relationship by an individual with lived experience of either recovery from a substance use disorder or having a close relationship with an individual in recovery from a substance use disorder, and include a range of social and other services that facilitate recovery from substance use disorder, support health and wellness, and link individuals with service providers and other supports shown to improve quality of life for persons, and their families, in and seeking recovery from substance use. “Recovery support services” do not include the provision of psychotherapy as defined in section 4082 of this title.

  (11) “Peer recovery support specialist credentialing body” means the entity authorized by the Department of Health to, in addition to other duties:

  (A) issue credentials to peer recovery support specialists to demonstrate that a peer recovery support specialist has met qualifications for certification under this chapter; and

  (B) approve acceptable continuing education courses. (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)

• § 3192. Prohibitions; penalties [Effective July 1, 2025]

  (a) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit the practice of peer support by a noncertified provider. However, a person shall not use in connection with the person’s name any letters, words, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a certified peer support provider unless that person is certified in accordance with this chapter.

  (b) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit the practice of recovery support services by a noncertified provider. However, a person shall not use in connection with person’s name any letters, words, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a certified peer recovery support specialist unless that person is certified in accordance with this chapter.

  (c) A person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in 3 V.S.A. § 127(c). (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)

• § 3193. Duties of the Director [Effective July 1, 2025]

  (a) The Director shall:

  (1) provide general information to applicants for certification as certified peer support providers or certified peer recovery support specialists, or both;

  (2) receive applicants for certification; grant and renew certifications in accordance with this chapter; and deny, revoke, suspend, reinstate, or condition certifications as directed by an administrative law officer;

  (3) explain appeal procedures to certified peer support providers, certified peer recovery support specialists, and applicants;

  (4) explain complaint procedures to the public;

  (5) administer fees collected in accordance with this chapter and 3 V.S.A. § 125; and

  (6) refer all disciplinary matters to an administrative law officer established under 3 V.S.A. § 129(j).

  (b) After consultation with the Commissioners of Health and of Mental Health, the Director shall adopt and amend rules as necessary pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to perform the Director’s duties under this chapter. (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)

• § 3194. Advisor appointees [Effective July 1, 2025]

  (a)(1) After consultation with the Commissioners of Health and of Mental Health, the Secretary of State shall appoint two certified peer support providers, two certified peer recovery support specialists, one representative from the Department of Health, and one representative from the Department of Mental Health to serve as advisors to the Director in matters relating to peer support and recovery support. Advisors shall be appointed to five-year staggered terms to serve as advisors in matters related to the administration of this chapter. At least one of the initial appointments shall be less than a five-year term.

  (2) A certified peer support provider serving as an advisor shall:

  (A) have at least three years’ experience as a peer support provider immediately preceding appointment;

  (B) be certified as a peer support provider in Vermont at the time of appointment and during incumbency; and

  (C) remain actively engaged in the practice of peer support in this State during incumbency.

  (3) A certified peer recovery support specialist serving as an advisor shall:

  (A) be certified as a peer recovery support specialist in Vermont at the time of appointment and during incumbency; and

  (B) remain actively engaged in the practice of recovery support services in this State during incumbency.

  (b) The Director shall seek the advice of the advisor appointees in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Advisors who are not employed by the State shall be entitled to compensation and necessary expenses in the amount provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for attendance at any meeting called by the Director for this purpose. (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)

• § 3195. Eligibility [Effective July 1, 2025]

  (a) To be eligible for certification as a certified peer support provider, an applicant shall complete and submit an application in the manner as the Director prescribes in rule, accompanied by the applicable fees, and evidence satisfactory to the Director that the applicant:

  (1) is at least 18 years of age;

  (2) has received a credential from the peer support provider credentialing body; and

  (3) has passed registry checks and criminal history checks that may be required in rule.

  (b) To be eligible for certification as a peer recovery support specialist, an applicant shall complete and submit an application in the manner as the Director prescribes by the rule, accompanied by the applicable fees, and evidence satisfactory to the Director that the applicant:

  (1) is at least 18 years of age;

  (2) has received a credential from the peer recovery support specialist credentialing body; and

  (3) has passed registry checks and criminal history checks that may be required in rule. (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)

• § 3196. Certificate renewal [Effective July 1, 2025]

  A peer support specialist provider certification and a peer recovery support specialist certification shall be renewed every two years upon application, payment of the required fee in accordance with 3 V.S.A. § 125, and proof of compliance with such continuing education or periodic reexamination requirements established in rule. The fee shall be paid biennially upon renewal. (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)

• § 3197. Unprofessional conduct [Effective July 1, 2025]

  (a) Unprofessional conduct means misusing a title in professional activity and any of the conduct listed in 3 V.S.A. § 129a, whether committed by a certified peer support provider, a certified peer recovery support specialist, or an applicant.

  (b) The Office may discipline a certified peer support provider or a certified peer recovery support specialist for unprofessional conduct as provided in 3 V.S.A. § 129a. (Added 2023, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2025.)