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International Certification in Peer Support (ICPS)

UMBC Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems, Professional and Continuing Education

An exam-based certification in peer support knowledge, sponsored by Lighthouse Health and Wellness and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems. One open-book, online exam, open to anyone regardless of educational background.

In collaboration with
Lighthouse Health and WellnessInternational Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Register for the ICPS exam Certification details
Why one credential

A shared, cross-disciplinary standard for peer support.

A standardized peer support credentialing exam can serve as a generally recognized, cross-disciplinary credential. Peer support is built on lived experience, mutuality and relational skills rather than traditional clinical training, so a unified exam lets both non-clinicians and clinicians demonstrate competence in the core principles that define peer practice. A single credential also reduces fragmentation across systems, promotes portability of skills, and assesses every provider, clinician or not, on the same foundational competencies.

A unified exam also protects the integrity of peer support by reducing the chances of overmedicalizing the role. For non-clinicians, it provides a clear pathway to professional recognition and workforce inclusion. For clinicians, it ensures they understand the distinct philosophy and nonclinical nature of peer support. A generic credentialing process can promote cohesion, enhance public trust, and support high-quality peer support programs across behavioral health, public safety, military and community settings.

What the exam covers

Twelve knowledge domains

The ICPS measures what a peer supporter needs to know, whatever your background and wherever you trained. It is an open-book exam of 150 questions across twelve domains.

  1. Helping skills built on a theory of change
  2. Relationship building and trust
  3. Communication and active listening
  4. Use of lived experience
  5. Fostering self-determination and self-efficacy
  6. Recognizing trauma, stress, burnout, depression, grief and suicide risk
  7. Practical assistance: de-escalation, psychological first aid, CISM
  8. Resource navigation and referral
  9. Boundaries, confidentiality and ethical practice
  10. Cultural and occupational dynamics
  11. Collaboration, teamwork and advocacy
  12. Self-awareness, self-care and continuing development
Certification details

How the ICPS works

The exam
The ICPS exam is a 150-item open-book, online assessment of knowledge, not competency, open to anyone, regardless of educational background. The exam is an assessment of knowledge relevant to the generic core competencies of peer support as identified through consensus reviews and expert opinion. While there are no specific prerequisites to take the ICPS exam, prior education or training in peer support and psychological crisis intervention is deemed essential to successfully pass the exam.
Purpose
The ICPS is an attestation of knowledge, not competency, in the field of peer support. Its goal is to foster enhanced knowledge of the foundations of peer support, and in doing so, to foster enhanced research and practice as well.
What the exam covers
The material for the examination was drawn from sources spanning three nations, primarily from reviews of “best practices” and prescriptive resources. There are no specific prerequisite courses.
Exam fee
$349
Duration
The certification is for a five-year period. At the end of the five-year period, certificate holders will be given the opportunity to complete a 50-item re-certification assessment at a reduced fee.
Preparation
Foundational peer support training is strongly recommended, but not required. Good starting points include Lighthouse's Peer Support Teammate and Leader programs, ICISF's Group and Individual Crisis Intervention (GRIN) course, or comparable peer support training.
Register for the ICPS exam
New course

Psychological First Aid for Peer Support

Psychological first aid is the support one person gives another in the hours and days after a crisis. This course teaches the RAPID model and applies it to the calls, incidents and built-up stress that first responders carry.

Developed by George S. Everly, Jr., PhD, author of The Johns Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid.

Enroll in the course
  1. IntroductionWhat psychological first aid is, where it came from, and how it fits with peer support and crisis intervention.
  2. Reflective listening and rapportListening in a way that builds trust and helps someone feel heard.
  3. Assessment and prioritizationTelling expected stress reactions from those that need more help, and deciding who needs attention first.
  4. Intervention and dispositionEasing acute distress, and knowing when and how to connect someone with professional care.
  5. Self-careLooking after yourself while you look after others.
Lighthouse peer support training and certifications

Online and self-paced

From a first introduction to leading a team. Take one on its own, get a whole team started, or use it as foundational training before the ICPS.

4 hours$50

Peer Support Coworker

A short introduction to noticing when someone is struggling and knowing how to help.

View on the Hub
10 hours$79

Fundamentals of Peer Support: Public Safety

An introduction to peer support in public safety: the role of a peer, the basics of helping, and where to go next. One scholarship is included for each Blueprint agency.

Ask us about it
24 hours$200

CertificationPeer Support Teammate

The core program for peer team members: mental health foundations, crisis and suicide intervention, listening skills and confidentiality.

See the program
30 hours$250

CertificationPeer Support Leader

Everything in Teammate, plus six hours on selecting, training and leading a peer team.

See the program

Certification programs include 90 days of access and an exam. Group pricing is available for teams.

Certifications

Lighthouse and ICISF certifications

Every certification offered by Lighthouse and by ICISF with UMBC, in one place.

UMBC, Lighthouse and ICISF

Lighthouse Health & Wellness

ICISF, with UMBC

Who it's for

For anyone who looks out for the people around them.

Peer support grew up in public safety, and it belongs anywhere people look after each other through hard things. The ICPS is written for all of them, whatever their job and wherever they trained.

It is a knowledge credential for peer support. It doesn't replace clinical care, and it isn't a state peer specialist certification.

For organizations

Certifying a team?

We'll help you register your peers and document their training.

  • Group registration and invoicing
  • Documentation that fits grant reporting
  • A record of continuing education where it must be documented

Running a peer team? Lighthouse Peer+ helps manage team activity, and Blueprint helps plan agency wellness. Learn more at lighthousehw.org

Questions

Before you register

Do I need prior training?

It isn't required, and anyone can sit for the exam. But prior education or training in peer support and psychological crisis intervention is essential to passing it. Good starting points are Lighthouse's Teammate or Leader programs and ICISF's GRIN course.

Is it open book?

Yes. The ICPS tests knowledge, not skills in practice.

Does the ICPS expire?

It's valid for five years. At the end of that period you can complete a 50-item recertification assessment at a reduced fee.

How is this different from CPPC or CCISM?

They measure different things. The ICPS covers peer support knowledge broadly, while ICISF's certifications focus on specific crisis intervention roles. Each stands on its own, and none is a prerequisite for another.

I hold a Teammate or Leader certification. What changes?

Your training programs continue, and your records are moving to the Lighthouse Hub. The ICPS is a separate credential you can add.

Register

Ready when you are.

Open-book, online, $349. Valid for five years.

Send us your details and we'll send you your exam registration.