As you prepare for a career as a professional recovery coach in Massachusetts, start with the right training.
Several schools and institutes offer in-person and remote online courses for recovery coaching.
Learn about the modalities, therapies, and ethical approaches taught in classroom settings.
Become certified as a professional recovery coach to work one-on-one with clients in recovery from drugs or alcohol in this New England state.
Page Navigation
- Steps to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Massachusetts
- Schools in Massachusetts
- Recovery Coach Representative Schools in Massachusetts – Summary Table
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the name of the certification board in Massachusetts for recovery coaches?
- Is distance learning, remote, or online courses allowed in MA?
- What is the 51 percent rule for certified recovery coaches in Massachusetts?
- Does on-the-job training qualify for CARC work experience?
- How many hours of work experience are required for CARCs in MA?
Steps to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Massachusetts
Start off on the right foot as a certified addiction recovery coach in Massachusetts with the right training.
You need to be trained and certified in order to be a professionally recognized coach.
This allows you to work with clients and assist with in-person treatment modalities.
To begin training, you will be expected to meet the following:
- Graduate from high school or have a GED
- Train with an accredited school or institute
- Perform 500 hours of work experience supervised by a recovery coach supervisor
- Have the supervisor sign a Supervisory Verification Form
- Apply to the CARC (certified addiction recovery coach) and pay the application fee
- Complete training and supervised work experience in the last 10 years
The state of Massachusetts has a certification board that supervises this area of healthcare.
You will be expected to find your own training program and apply to a school or institute for the course.
Some courses and schools offer financial aid, but most of these classes are non-credit professional courses.
Therefore, you will have to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, the typical cost of training as a professional recovery coach in MA is less than $1,000.
Schools in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has an in-state training and certification program for recovery coaching.
In MA, you can become a certified addiction recovery coach.
The training is offered via the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBASCC).
This differs from other New England states that train students for the Connecticut Coalition for the Advancement of Recovery (CCAR) certification.
You may also be able to certify with international standards and become a recovery coach in MA.
The state board allows students to submit documentation about training and work experience within the last decade.
Therefore, if you have already trained as a certified addiction recovery coach in MA years ago, you may be able to use that experience for certification.
Learn about the schools where you can train as a certified recovery coach specializing in addiction.
Cape Cod Community College
Apply to the Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) in Cape Cod, MA for the pre-certification and wellness training program.
This program leads to certification as an addiction recovery coach ready for employment.
You will pick up skills necessary to work with patients or clients in various stages of recovery from substance abuse.
The total cost is $850 for the training as a professional recovery coach.
North Shore Community College
At North Shore, MA’s North Shore Community College, you can enroll in certified addiction recovery coach training.
The college has a professional program and is not financial aid eligible or offering college credits.
However, you do earn a certificate that comes in a two-part session.
The training is 60 hours in length, and the cost of the program is $50.
Westfield State University
The Westfield State University in Westfield, MA is a public four-year institute.
You are able to apply to a non-credit course that is designed for professional students.
The program leads to the Addiction Recovery Coach Certificate (ARCC), which is suitable for workers in Massachusetts.
This program covers 61 course hours and 25 work experience hours.
Some of the classwork is completed online, which may not be up to MA board standards.
Also, you will be expected to have 500 work experience hours in total for certification.
Recovery Coach Representative Schools in Massachusetts – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Massachusetts
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cape Cod Community College | 2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668, United States |
| North Shore Community College | 1 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923, United States |
| Westfield State University | 577 Western Ave, Westfield, MA 01086, United States |
Salary
The salary for a professional recovery coach in Massachusetts varies according to city.
Plymouth, Nantucket, Boston, and Edgartown are the most populated cities.
In Plymouth, the annual salary ranges from $33,264 to $41,498.
The average salary in Boston is slightly higher at $38,687 a year for a professionally trained and certified MA recovery coach.
For comparison, Lynn, MA pays its certified recovery coaches approximately the same amount.
Lynn is a suburb north of Boston with a population of slightly more than 100,000 people.
To earn more money in Massachusetts as a certified recovery coach, plan on specializing in an area.
For example, the opioid crisis has left MA communities in need of professional recovery coaches who are experienced in opioid recovery.
If you have personal experience with substance abuse and addiction, this may be used to your advantage in tailoring your new career.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Professional Recovery Coachs in Massachusetts
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $38,687 |
| Worcester | $36,236 |
| Springfield | $35,874 |
| Lowell | $37,458 |
| Cambridge | $38,687 |
| Brockton | $37,496 |
| New Bedford | $36,535 |
| Fall River | $36,535 |
| Lynn | $38,687 |
| Quincy | $38,687 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | 160 | $62,240 | - NA - | $101,530 | $35,070 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 4,600 | $74,200 | - NA - | $134,640 | $35,210 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 50 | $63,150 | - NA - | $108,320 | $32,600 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 40 | $62,350 | - NA - | $85,380 | $36,390 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 590 | $67,070 | - NA - | $104,280 | $32,520 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 580 | $64,290 | - NA - | $98,160 | $31,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the certification board in Massachusetts for recovery coaches?
In Massachusetts, the CARC is handled by the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.
This government entity manages all applications and applicants who apply for the certification.
Is distance learning, remote, or online courses allowed in MA?
No, in MA the state does not allow students to do coursework or train initially for certification.
This training for a recovery coach must be completed in person and include the necessary hours of hands-on experience.
What is the 51 percent rule for certified recovery coaches in Massachusetts?
The state requires you to live in Massachusetts for at least 51 percent of the time each year to be eligible for certification.
Does on-the-job training qualify for CARC work experience?
No, on-the-job training does not qualify for CARC work experience, which must be approved by a supervisor.
In order to qualify, the work experience has to occur while you are in training and through your course program.
You cannot be certified as a professional recovery coach until you have the minimum work experience.
How many hours of work experience are required for CARCs in MA?
In MA, there is a requirement that all applicants for certification have at least 500 hours of work experience.
This work experience will be similar to an internship as the work must be assigned and supervised by your instructors.
