Application fee
$150
Education
HS diploma / GED
Training
78 hours
Lived experience
Family member's substance use
Exam
No exam
Renewal
Every 2 years, 30 hours

A certification for adults who have been directly impacted by a family member's or loved one's substance use disorder. As a CFRS, you share your lived experience with other families to provide recovery support services, and help families move into and through the recovery process.

Is this certification right for me?

It's a fit if you are an adult who has been directly impacted by a family member's or loved one's substance use disorder and you want to support other families through recovery.

Consider a different certification if your own lived experience is recovery from a substance use disorder (see Certified Recovery Specialist), your lived experience is with mental health (see Certified Peer Specialist), or you want to provide counseling or therapy (see the counseling certifications).

Requirements

All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. Work or volunteer experience is not required.

  • High school diploma or GED
    A copy of your diploma, transcript or GED verification. Veterans may provide discharge documentation instead. A college degree from an accredited school also counts (official transcript sent directly to PCB).

  • 78 hours of mandatory, standardized recovery specialist training
    From an approved statewide trainer. Document it with your training certificate. About the training.

  • Personal, lived family recovery experience
    You sign an attestation that you have been directly impacted by a family member or loved one with a substance use disorder.

  • Statement of lived experience
    An essay of at least 1,000 words on the impact your family member's or loved one's substance use disorder had on you, navigating multiple systems, how your experience informs your work with families, the resources you used, what family recovery means to you, and how long you have considered yourself in recovery.

  • Three letters of reference or character
    One personal, one professional or volunteer, and one from within recovery support services. Letters may not come from your own family members.

  • Notarized acknowledgements and release
    The release page of the application must be notarized and sent with your application.

  • Live or work in Pennsylvania
    At the time you apply. The CFRS is a non-reciprocal credential recognized only in Pennsylvania.

Your journey

  1. Complete the 78-hour recovery specialist training

    With an approved statewide trainer. Keep your training certificate.

    Varies by class schedule

  2. Gather your documents

    Proof of education, your training certificate, your signed attestation, your essay, three letters of reference and the notarized release page.

  3. Apply online or by PDF

    Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax. Online is fastest.

    Review: up to 10 business days

  4. You're certified

    There is no exam. Once your application is completed, a PCB representative will assign your credential in the database and your certificate follows within 10 business days, and your certification lasts two years from the approval date.

The exam

There is no exam for the CFRS. Once PCB approves your application, you are certified. The CFRS content outline describes the family recovery and wellness knowledge the credential covers.

Keeping your certification current

The CFRS renews every two years. You need 30 hours of education relevant to family recovery support services, including 6 hours in ethics and 3 hours in confidentiality, plus the renewal fee.

Recertification requirements and fees

Since January 1, 2026 there is no "lapsed" status: a credential is active or expired.

Fees

Item Fee
Application (includes first exam attempt) $150
Renewal $100
Paper certificate (optional) $20

Common questions about the CFRS

Do I need to be in recovery myself to become a CFRS?

No. The CFRS is for adults who have been directly impacted by a family member's or loved one's substance use disorder. If you have your own lived recovery experience, see the Certified Recovery Specialist.

Is there an exam for the CFRS?

No. You are certified once PCB approves your application. Your two-year certification period starts on the approval date.

Who can write my CFRS letters of reference?

You need three letters: one personal, one professional or volunteer, and one from within recovery support services. They may not come from your own family members. The letters should show the impact you have made in the field, how you practice self-care, how you have developed boundaries and how you work with other families.

Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?

YES

Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?

YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.