How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Utah

If you dream about supporting people in addiction through their recover, you should consider being a professional recovery coach.

This allows you to help others who are currently in recovery.

While there are some requirements to meet before beginning your new career, you’ll be working as a recovery coach relatively quickly.

Steps to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Utah

Utah makes becoming a professional recovery coach relatively easy.

However, there are some important steps to follow to become a recovery coach.

You’ll want to get certified before beginning your career as a recovery coach.

Once you are certified, you’ll have the title of CPSS, or Certified Recovery Support Specialist.

It’s possible to become a recovery coach without certification, but it’s not recommended.

Most employers will require you to be certified as well.

Step 1. Have One Year in Recovery

The first step to becoming a recovery coach is being in recovery yourself.

You’ll need at least 1 year in recovery before pursuing this career.

You’ll also need to consider where you are in your recovery.

Are you comfortable talking about your addiction and recovery?

Have you been clean and sober for at least 9 months?

Can you handle speaking with people in active addiction, without being tempted to relapse?

If you answered yes to these questions, you are ready to move forward in the process.

Step 2. Be 18 Years Old

To apply for certification as a recovery coach, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old.

If you aren’t currently 18 years old or older, you’ll need to wait until your birthday to get started.

Step 3. Have a Diploma or GED

Another requirement for becoming a certified recovery coach is to graduate high school or have a GED.

Step 4. Get Letters of Reference

You’ll need two reference letters.

The first letter should be written by a clinical professional that can explain where you are in your recovery process.

This can be a counselor, psychologist, or addiction counselor that has worked with you.

The second letter should be from someone who knows you personally, and is willing to recommend you for this position.

This can be a friend, coworker, or someone else you have a close relationship with.

Step 5. Apply for Certification

Most states require you to get the training on your own, and then apply for certification.

However, Utah takes the opposite approach.

You’ll need to complete a certification application, and choose where you’d like to attend certification training.

You’ll also need to include your reference letters, and write about your own recovery journey.

You’ll need to include what you are doing to stay in recovery, and how you have helped others in recovery using your own addiction and recovery experience.

Once you’ve sent in your application, you’ll wait for a response.

Once your application is approved, it will be sent to a trainer, and your training will be scheduled.

Step 6. Get Training

Utah requires 40 hours of training with an approved program to become a certified peer support specialist.

You’ll learn problem-solving, how to listen effectively, ethics, and motivational interviewing.

There are federal grants to cover training, but these aren’t guaranteed.

If you are a veteran, you can receive the training free of charge through the Veterans Administration.

Schools in Utah

There are several locations that offer training through the Utah program.

You can choose the one you prefer on your application, or choose the next available training.

There are currently several organizations that offer information about their professional recovery coach training programs.

Let’s take a look at them.

USU

USU offers a hybrid training program.

USU training is typically covered by federal and state funds, making it accessible to everyone.

You’ll have an initial broadcast class online, which lasts for 4 hours.

Then, you’ll complete 20 hours of online training at your own pace.

This portion must be completed within 3 weeks.

The in-person training begins 3 weeks after the initial broadcast class.

You’ll attend in-person training orientation, and then two days of instruction, for a total of 16 hours of training.

USU says it also offers a 5-day in-person training program which is 40 hours.

However, there are currently no in-person trainings scheduled.

USU’s goal is to increase Utah’s behavioral health workforce, and include integrated healthcare in peer support services.

USARA

USARA offers a week-long training program that takes 40 hours.

The program will teach you to be confident in your role as a peer recovery specialist, and work as part of a team with other professionals, including social workers and addiction counselors.

You’ll also learn to explain the knowledge and skills you’ve learned in the course effectively.

USARA holds classes several times a year.

However, the locations for training are not listed.

Recovery Coach Representative Schools in Utah – Summary Table

Salary

The average salary for a certified recovery coach in Utah is $32,490.

Salaries range from $29,128 to $36,338.

Regional Salary in Utah