PCB CRSS Application | Revised January 2021
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS READ CAREFULLY
Prior to applying, all requirements must be met and documented. Do not apply until all requirements
are met. This credential is for supervisors of recovery specialists and/or family recovery specialists.
There are two pathways to this credential one for current CRSs/CFRSs and one for those without
one of these credentials.
TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. Mail: PCB, 298 S. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17109
2. Email: info@pacertboard.org NOTE: Only PDFs are permitted. Photos of applications are not accepted.
3. Fax: 717-540-4458 NOTE: faxing is an unreliable technology. Receiving a confirmation of fax does not
indicate it has been received. To confirm receipt of application, email info@pacertboard.org
.
REVIEW & APPROVAL PROCESS
1. Application submitted to PCB. To confirm receipt of application, email PCB at the above email address.
2. Staff reviews application. Allow up to 10 business days for review and processing.
3. Applicant will be emailed if there is any documentation missing or there are questions regarding an
application. Applications with pending problems will be held open for one year from date of receipt
after which they will be closed.
4. An application is considered approved when applicant receives an email from PCB to register for the
examination for applicants who are not CRSs or CFRSs. Follow all instructions to register for the
examination provided in the email.
5. If you have not heard from PCB regarding your application or received an email from PCB to register for
the examination after 10 business days, email info@pacertboard.org
.
6. Once you pass the examination, you are certified.
7. A certificate will be mailed to you within 10 business days.
CRSS APPLICATION
Certified Recovery Specialist Supervisor
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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REQUIREMENT
CRS/CFRS
NON-CRS/CFRS
Experience
2 years of documented work
experience providing recovery
support services as a CRS/CFRS.
1 year of direct supervision of
Recovery Specialists/Family Recovery
Specialists.
Applicant must hold a current and
valid CRS or CFRS.
Job/volunteer description required.
2 years of documented work and/or
volunteer experience in a
related/relevant field that has a focus
on recovery culture.
1 year of direct supervision of Recovery
Specialists/Family Recovery Specialists.
Job/volunteer description required.
Supervision
25 hours in the CRSS domains. *
May be provided within an
organization or by another
professional (no formal degree or
credential requirement for the
supervisor).
Face-to-face and online acceptable.
Supervision can be individual or
group.
Supervision can be formal or
informal.
All supervision must be documented
25 hours in the CRSS domains. *
May be provided within an organization
or by another professional (no formal
degree or credential requirement for
the supervisor).
Face-to-face and online acceptable.
Supervision can be individual or group.
Supervision can be formal or informal.
All supervision must be documented
Formal Education
High School Diploma/GED.
High School Diploma/GED.
Training
30 hours in the CRSS domains. *
Must successfully complete the 78-hour
Recovery Specialist Standardized
Curriculum plus 12 hours in the CRSS
domains. *
Recertification
6 hours specific to the supervision of
recovery specialists. These hours may
be included in the total (30) hours
needed to recertify the CRS/CFRS.
30 hours including:
o 6 hours specific to the supervision
of recovery specialists
o 6 hours in ethics
o 3 hours in confidentiality
o 15 hours relevant to the field
Examination
None
Pass the examination for Recovery
Specialists
Credential
Must maintain their CRS/CFRS in
current and valid status.
*CRSS DOMAINS: Recovery Specialist Development; Advocacy & System Navigation; Organizational Practices;
Ethical Responsibility & Professionalism.
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CERTIFIED RECOVERY SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR REQUIREMENTS
All requirements below must be met to apply. All required documentation must be sent in with an application.
WORK EXPERIENCE
CURRENT CRS/CFRS
REQUIRED: Two (2) years of full-time or 4000 hours of part-time work experience providing
recovery support services and one (1) year of work experience providing direct supervision to
recovery specialists or family recovery specialists.
NON-CRS/CFRS
REQUIRED: Two (2) years of full-time or 4000 hours of part-time work experience in a
related/relevant field that has a focus on recovery culture and one (1) year of work
experience providing direct supervision to recovery specialists or family recovery specialists.
Qualifying work experience can be from multiple employers to accumulate the required years/hours.
If the applicant’s work experience requirement is not fulfilled from their current employer, they must include
documentation from previous employer(s) verifying their title, duties and dates employed with their application. Do
not submit a resume as proof of previous work experience. Applicant must contact previous employers and request
detailed documentation of their employment from them.
The applicant must be currently employed in a position where they are providing direct supervision to recovery
specialists and/or family recovery specialists at the time of application. All work experience must have occurred
within the last seven (7) years. Time spent participating in or facilitating mutual support groups is not acceptable
toward the work experience requirement.
CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTION
ALL APPLICANTS
REQUIRED: Copy of current job description, obtained from current employer, and which
must be signed by both the applicant and their immediate supervisor.
All applicants must include a copy of their current job description. This document is provided by your employer and
must be signed and dated by the applicant and their immediate supervisor.
Job descriptions determine and verify eligible current work experience. Job description must clearly delineate
supervision of recovery specialists or family recovery specialists as a primary function of the position.
If you have held different positions with your current employer, please provide all relevant job descriptions with the
application.
In lieu of job description(s), employer may provide an official position description on agency letterhead. This
required documentation must include the applicants’ dates of employment (to/from) employment status (full-time
or part-time), title of position, a detailed description of the duties and responsibilities for the position, and the
average number of hours per week the applicant worked.
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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SUPERVISION
ALL APPLICANTS
REQUIRED: 25 hours of supervision in the CRSS domains.
You must have received at least 25 hours of supervision in the CRSS domains. There are no requirements for the
person providing you with your supervision.
Supervision can be formal or informal and provided face-to-face or online.
Supervision can be done on a one-to-one basis or group supervision.
Supervision should be administrative, educative, and supportive.
Supervision is a professional and collaborative activity between a supervisor and a worker in which the supervisor
provides guidance and support to the worker to promote competent and ethical delivery of services and supports
through the continuing development of the workers application of accepted professional recovery support service
knowledge, skills, and values.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
CURRENT CRS/CFRS
REQUIRED: 30 hours of education/training specific to the CRSS domains.
NON-CRS/CFRS
REQUIRED: 78 hours of mandatory, standardized recovery specialist training and 12 hours
specific to the CRSS domains.
Education is defined as formal, structured instruction in the form of workshops, trainings, seminars, in-services,
college/university credit courses, and online education.
There is no limit to the amount of online education that may be submitted.
Most three-credit college/university courses count as 45 hours. One training CE/CEU counts as one hour.
Out of state education is acceptable.
All education/training must be documented. College courses are documented with an official college transcript.
Trainings are documented with copies of training certificates.
Training certificates must have the applicant’s name, title of training, date(s) of training, the number of hours
being awarded, and the name of training organization. Training certificates submitted without this required
information on them will not be accepted.
If a training title on a certificate of attendance does not clearly indicate the education content, attach a copy of
the training description.
Training registration forms and/or training sign-in sheets are not acceptable forms of documentation.
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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Training must be non-repetitive meaning the same training cannot be claimed more than one time even if the
training is taken on different dates from different providers.
Official employer training tracking system/learning management system reports may be acceptable forms of
documentation for education/training provided that the report contains the name of the employee/applicant,
titles of each training, dates of each training, the number of hours of each training, and is signed by the
applicant’s supervisor.
For Non-CRS/CFRS: A list of approved statewide trainers authorized to provide the 78-hour mandatory,
standardized recovery specialist training can be found on the PCB website.
The required mandatory, standardized training is documented with a copy of the completed training
certificate.
The additional 12 hours of education/training specific to the CRSS domains can come from any source.
FORMAL EDUCATION
NON-CRS/CFRS ONLY
REQUIRED: Minimum high school diploma/GED.
Veterans may provide discharge documentation in lieu of a high school diploma/GED.
A copy of the high school transcript or diploma is acceptable or GED verification. If the school is from outside the
United States, an equivalency must be done by an organization that specializes in that process. The applicant is
responsible for arranging this process and all costs.
It is recommended you obtain documentation approximately three weeks prior to sending in your application.
Documentation of high school/GED can be included with your application or can be mailed to PCB or emailed to
info@pacertboard.org
by the educational institution prior to application.
College degree documentation can be used in lieu of a high school diploma/GED.
CERTIFICATION FEE
ALL APPLICANTS
REQUIRED: $150.00
(fee must accompany certification application)
The fee may be paid by check, money order or with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
If an employer or organization is paying the fee, they must include the applicants name with the payment.
Fee payment information provided on page 8 of this application. E-receipts will be sent if using a credit card for
payment. Receipts for check or money order payments must be requested by applicant to PCB.
Applications received without payment will not be processed.
One-half of the fee is refundable if application is denied.
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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EXAMINATION
NON-CRS/CFRS ONLY
REQUIRED: Once application is approved, applicant must pass the PCB Examination for
Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS examination).
APPLICATION INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Email addresses provided to PCB must be active accounts that are checked regularly. We will not be able to contact
you or register you for the examination without an email address. Please print legibly.
Applicants must either live or work in PA at the time of application.
This certification is a non-reciprocal credential recognized and used only in PA.
APPEAL PROCESS
The purpose of appeal is to determine if PCB accurately reviewed an application that is denied. A letter
requesting an appeal must be sent to PCB within 30 days of the notification of PCB's action. An applicant shall be
considered notified three days after the relevant date of mailing. The appeal will be sent to the PCB Executive
Committee who will thoroughly review the entire application and materials to determine whether or not
applicant should have been denied approval. The applicant will be notified in writing as to the findings of the
Executive Committee.
FELONIES & DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
While felonies and disciplinary actions from other certification/licensing entities may not prohibit certification,
documentation is required to be submitted at the time of application. Certification through PCB does not mean
a professional should not disclose this information to potential employers and does not in any way exonerate
charges.
REQUESTS TO CHANGE APPLICATION
Professionals who wish to have their application re-reviewed for another credential PCB offers prior to taking
the examination or after an unsuccessful attempt at the examination will incur a $50 application change/review
fee.
CERTIFICATION TIME PERIOD
Certification encompasses two calendar years beginning on the date the applicant passes the examination. The
certificate issued to the professional lists the following information: name of professional, credential name, date
of issue, date of expiration and certification number.
RECERTIFICATION
To maintain the high standards of professional practice and to assure continuing awareness of new knowledge
in the field, the Board requires recertification every two years. Professionals should review the Recertification
Application for credential specific requirements listed on the Board website well in advance of their expiration
date.
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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EXAMINATION INFORMATION FOR NON-CRS/CFRS ONLY
TYPE OF EXAMINATION
The successful completion of the PCB CRS examination is required. There are two options for taking the
examination: an on-demand computer-based examination or a paper/pencil examination given regionally in
Pennsylvania on limited dates/locations. The examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. Once an
application is approved, candidates will receive an email from PCB with instructions for choosing the format to
take the examination.
TIME PERMITTED
One and one-half hours are permitted to complete the examination.
EXAMINATION CONTENT
The examination is developed from the PCB CRS Job Analysis which identifies domains and tasks for competent
practice and the recovery specialist mandatory, standardized training. Domains for the examination are:
Recovery Planning & Collaboration; Substance Use Knowledge; Advocacy; Ethical Responsibility &
Professionalism; Safety & Self-Care; Communication, Interpersonal & Professional Skills; Cultural Competency.
CANDIDATE GUIDE
The domains, including the task statements per domain, sample examination questions, and a list of references
from the PCB CRS Job Analysis are included in the Candidate Guide. Candidate Guides are available from the
PCB website.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Individuals with disabilities and/or religious obligations that require modifications in examination administration
may request specific procedure changes in writing with official documentation to PCB no fewer than 60 days
prior to their examination date. Contact PCB on what constitutes official documentation. PCB will coordinate
appropriate modifications to the examination process when documentation supports the need.
CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULING POLICY
Candidates are required to arrive on time for their paper/pencil examination. Candidates who arrive late will not
be permitted to take the examination and will be charged a $75.00 cancellation/rescheduling fee. Candidates
who cancel or reschedule their examination less than five days prior to their scheduled date will be charged the
full examination fee. Candidates who cancel or reschedule more than five days before their scheduled date will
be charged a $25.00 cancellation/rescheduling fee.
RETESTING
Candidates who fail the examination can retest after a 30-day wait period from the date of their last
examination. Candidates will be sent instructions and fee information. Candidates have three (3) opportunities
to retake an examination. If a candidate fails the examination four (4) times, they must submit a study plan to
PCB and wait one-year from the date of the final failed examination before they will be permitted to retest
again.
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CRSS APPLICANT INFORMATION & PAYMENT
Application can be completed and saved. You may then print the appropriate pages to submit to PCB.
TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY
Date:
DOB:
Female
Male
□ Self-identify _____________________
Name:
SSN: (last four)
Print your name as it should appear on your certificate. Credentials and degrees will not be printed.
Home Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Cell Phone:
Primary Email:
PRINT LEGIBLY: EMAIL IS OUR PRIMARY WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH YOU.
Secondary Email:
PRINT LEGIBLY: EMAIL IS OUR PRIMARY WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH YOU.
Have you ever received any disciplinary action from another certification/licensing authority? Yes No
If yes, provide full details on a separate sheet.
Have you read and understood the PCB Code of Ethical Conduct? Yes No
The Code of Ethical Conduct is located at www.pacertboard.org, and click on Ethics.
Military Experience: □ Not Applicable □ Active □ Veteran
Ethnicity: □ American Indian or Alaska Native □ Asian □ Black or African American □ Caucasian □ Hispanic □ Latino
□ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander □ Not specified: ______________________
Employment plans for the next two years: □ Increase hours □ Decrease hours □ No change □ Seek advancement
□ Retire □ Move to a different career □ Unknown
PAYMENT INFORMATION
FEE OF $150 CAN BE PAID USING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING (CHECK ONE):
Check Money Order VISA MasterCard Discover American Express
Checks & Money Orders made payable to PCB
My employer/organization is mailing payment directly to PCB.
Email for receipt (if paying by credit card only): ________________________________________________________________
Number:
-
-
-
Sec. Code:
Exp. Date:
Name on Card:
Billing address:
(If different than Home Address)
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CURRENT CRS/CFRS
FORMAL EDUCATION AND REQUIRED TRAINING
FOR CURRENT CRSS/CFRSS: I have included copies of certificates for the 30 hours of education/training specific to the
CRSS domains.
Yes
No
Not Applicable I do not hold a current CRS/CFRS
NON-CRS/CFRS
FORMAL EDUCATION AND REQUIRED TRAINING
REQUIRED: Minimum high school diploma/GED. Current CRSs/CFRSs disregard this requirement.
I am documenting my high school diploma/GED.
Yes No
I am documenting my college degree.
Yes No
College/University:
Name on Transcript:
Date Transcript Requested:
Delivery Method:
Mailed to PCB
Emailed to PCB
REQUIRED: 78-hour mandatory, standardized recovery specialist training and 12 hours of training
specific to the CRSS domains for non-CRSs/CFRS. 30 hours of education/training specific to the CRSS
domains for current CRSs/CFRSs.
FOR NON-CRSS/CFRS: I have included a copy of my training certificate for the 78-hour mandatory, standardized
recovery specialist training with this application and I have included copies of certificates for the 12 hours of training
specific to the CRSS domains.
Yes
No
Not Applicable I am a current CRS/CFRS
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CRSS: WORK EXPERIENCE
CURRENT CRS/CFRS
REQUIRED: Two (2) years of full-time or 4000 hours of part-time work experience providing recovery
support services and one (1) year of work experience providing direct supervision to recovery
specialists or family recovery specialists.
NON-CRS/CFRS
REQUIRED: Two (2) years of full-time or 4000 hours of part-time work experience in a
related/relevant field that has a focus on recovery culture and one (1) year of work experience
providing direct supervision to recovery specialists or family recovery specialists.
CURRENT WORK INFORMATION
Employer Name:
How many hours do you work per week? ______________________________________________________
Are you currently employed full-time or part-time? ___________________________________________
I have attached my current supervisor job description, dated and signed by both me and my supervisor.
Yes No
Do you need to document previous employment to fulfill the experience requirement? Yes No
If yes, complete the section below AND submit a letter (on company letterhead) from previous employer(s) verifying your duties and dates employed must be
included with your application.
PREVIOUS WORK INFORMATION
(IF APPLICABLE DO NOT COMPLETE UNLESS NEED TO MEET THE MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT)
Employer Name:
How many hours do you work/volunteer per week? ______________________________________________________
Were you employed full-time or part-time? __________________________________________________
Employer City:
Zip:
Applicant Position/Title:
Start Date in Current Position:
Employer City:
Zip:
Applicant Position/Title:
Start Date in Current Position:
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CRSS: ON-THE-JOB SUPERVISION
ALL APPLICANTS
REQUIRED: 25 hours of supervision in the CRSS domains.
Information below is to be completed by applicant’s current and/or previous supervisor(s).
This page is to document the supervision hours provided to the applicant, not their total work hours.
The total hours of supervision should be 25 hours but could be more depending on the applicants’ length of
employment or could be less if the applicant was provided supervision from a previous employer.
Applicants may copy this page and provide it to previous supervisors.
Applicant Name:
SUPERVISOR INFORMATION
Name:
Email:
Phone:
Employer Name:
SUPERVISION DOCUMENTATION
Supervision was provided to the above-named applicant in the following Domains:
DOMAIN
EXACT NUMBER OF HOURS
Recovery Specialist Development
Advocacy & System Navigation
Organizational Practices
Ethical Responsibility & Professionalism.
I attest that the above-named applicant has been provided with supervision as documented above.
______________________________________________________ _______________________________________
Supervisor Signature Date
Position/Title:
Licenses, Certifications and/or Degrees:
Employer City:
Zip:
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF SUPERVISION:
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CRSS: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & RELEASE
This page must be completed by the applicant. It must be notarized and submitted with the application.
RELEASE
I request that the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) grant the credential to me based on the following assurances
and documentation:
I subscribe to and commit myself to professional conduct in keeping with the PCB Code of Ethical Conduct;
I certify that the information given herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I also
authorize any necessary investigation and the release of information relative to my application;
Falsification of any documents will nullify this application and will result in denial or revocation of certification;
I consent to the release of information contained in my application and any other pertinent data submitted to or
collected by PCB to officers, members, and staff of the aforementioned Board;
I consent to authorize PCB to gather information from third parties regarding education, employment and/or
supervision and understand that such communication shall be treated as confidential;
Allegations of ethical misconduct reported to PCB before, during, or after application for certification is made
will be investigated by PCB and could result in the nullification of the application or denial or revocation of
certification.
INITIAL EACH STATEMENT
I have read and understood this Acknowledgements and Release.
I either live or work in Pennsylvania at least 51% of the time.
I understand one-half of the application fee is refundable if application is denied or cancelled prior to the
examination and no refund will be issued if application is denied or cancelled after examination.
I understand that my application is open for a period of one year after the date of review. If I fail to fulfill all
certification requirements within that year, the application will be closed, and no refund will be issued.
I understand that if I request to have my application re-reviewed for another credential PCB offers prior to
the examination, or after an unsuccessful attempt at the examination I will incur a $50 change/review fee.
Applicant:
Signature:
Date:
PRINT NAME LEGIBLY
NOTARY PUBLIC ONLY
Name:
Date:
I attest that I am a notary public and the above-named applicant satisfactorily proved to be the person whose name is
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.
In witness whereof, I hereby set my hand and official seal.
__________________________________________________ SEAL:
Notary Public Signature
PCB CRSS Application | www.pacertboard.org | info@pacertboard.org | Revised February 2021
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CRSS: CHECKLIST
Applicant Name:
Page must be completed and submitted with the application. Do not submit your application until checklist is reviewed,
completed and all documentation is compiled.
Prior to applying, all requirements must be met and documented. Use the table below as a guide for gathering
documentation.
Do not submit any documentation with an application that is not listed on the table or the application
unless specifically instructed by a staff member. Do not apply until all requirements are met.
TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. Mail: PCB, 298 S. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17109
2. Email: info@pacertboard.org NOTE: Only PDFs are permitted. Photos of applications are not accepted.
3. Fax: 717-540-4458 NOTE: faxing is an unreliable technology. Receiving a confirmation of fax does not indicate it has been
received. To confirm receipt of application, email info@pacertboard.org
.
I acknowledge, that to the best of my ability, I have submitted a completed application.
Signature:
Date:
REQUIREMENT DOCUMENTATION
Application page with payment
Page 8
Formal Education & Training page
Page 9
Education
High School Diploma/GED/college transcripts
or diploma (Non-CRS/CFRS only)
Training Certificates
Copies of training certificates
Relevant Work Experience
Page 10
Supervision page
Page 11
Notarized Acknowledgement & Release page
Page 12
Checklist page
Page 13
Disciplinary Actions?
Include letter of explanation with application
Convicted of a felony?
Include letter of explanation with application
Company paying fee?
Include applicant name on payment
Copy entire application for records