Recovery Coach Professional (RCP)-Designation

The Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) Designation requires sixty hours (60) of training, consisting of two required CCAR classes:  The CCAR Recovery Coach Academy (30 hours) and the CCAR Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches (16 hours).  You may acquire the additional 14 credit hours by attending Recovery-focused training(s) including:

• Attending another CCAR training
• Purchasing a webinar membership
• Attending another pre-approved training

CCAR will award the RCP© Designation to successful candidates that demonstrate the art and science of coaching recovery through the following:

Training Requirements: Applicants must complete the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© and the CCAR Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches©. In addition, 14 hours of CCAR or CCAR-approved training programs for a total of 60 training hours.

These training requirements must be completed within a two-year range to ensure you have taken the most up-to-date curriculum.

Experience: In the application, the candidates will describe their addiction recovery experience through a resume and/or a written summary.

Interview: Candidates will have an interview with a panel comprised of CCAR leadership and RCPs. May be in person or online. Read more about the CCAR RCP Interview Process 2021

The RCP©Designation is available to ALL - people in recovery, families, friends, allies ANYONE!

Just like each of our CCAR Training programs. There is no prerequisite or length of time in recovery required.

The Initial Designation is good for two years.  CCAR will provide the steps necessary for renewal which can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

Renewal of the designation is good for one (1) or (2) year(s). 

The Redesignation fee is $49/year.

Read more about the Renewal process.

You may choose to renew your RCP Designation for one (1) or two (2) year(s) at a time, for a fee of $49 per year.

You may choose from one of the following ways to demonstrate your dedication to improving your own art and science of recovery coaching for each calendar year:

• Currently serve as a recovery coach (paid or volunteer)
• Develop and deliver a webinar for Recovery Coaches to be used as part of the CCAR Training monthly webinar series (1 webinar per year)
• Attend at least 10 hours of training/professional development (per year)
• Serve on 10 RCP panels (per year) as a peer reviewer
• IARCP Members may develop a curriculum that addresses the three-legged stool.

Visit our page dedicated to Renewals

Please note:  The grace period for renewing your Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) Designation after its expiration is three months. During this grace period, individuals may renew their designation without penalty.

If the RCP Designation is not renewed within the grace period, a reinstatement fee of $50 will be required. Upon payment of the renewal and reinstatement fees, the new designation period will commence from the reinstatement payment date.  (A separate invoice for the reinstatement fee will be sent).

RCP Designees are responsible for ensuring the timely renewal of their Designation and adherence to the reinstatement policy outlined above.

Refunds for your RCP Designation are not available. After you submit your application, we initiate the review process and schedule a panel for your interview. Our dedicated CCAR staff and volunteers work diligently to assemble a panel of RCP Designees to conduct each interview, a process that requires significant time and resources. The nominal fee associated with the designation helps offset these operational expenses.

While not passing is a possibility, we work diligently to provide you with feedback, resources, and an opportunity to speak with a panelist to receive more coaching, if you so choose.  You may sit for the interview as many times as you need to, with no extra fee incurred.  Our goal is to support you throughout the process - we want you to succeed!

1. Become a Panel Member

You are eligible to become a panel member. A panel member is an RCP Designee who volunteers to sit in on RCP interviews taking part in making an anonymous decision with the other panelists of “pass“ or “not pass.” All hours volunteered and tracked to give members incentives. Participating on the panel also allows you to sharpen your coaching skills consistently.  If this is something you are interested in, please submit an application, and I  would be happy to send you additional information and add you as a member. https://addictionrecoverytraining.org/rcp-volunteer-application/

2. Become an Authorized Facilitator  (RCPF)

As an RCP Designee, you have the opportunity to become a CCAR-approved Facilitator (RCPF). What is an RCPF? A CCAR Authorized Facilitator who has demonstrated great coaching skills and maintains fidelity during the facilitation process, as evidenced by participant feedback and/or an audit of the facilitator’s training. A CCAR Authorized Facilitator who has the ability to facilitate any CCAR Training curricula. A CCAR Authorized Facilitator who has and maintains Recovery Coach Professional Designation to demonstrate continued professional development as a coach.  For more information, please see https://addictionrecoverytraining.org/becoming-a-facilitator/ or reach out to CCARs Facilitator Development Manager Michael Serrano.

3. Join The IARCP

Being a CCAR Recovery Coach Professional grants you the opportunity to join the International Association of Recovery Coach Professionals (IARCP). This unique membership will offer discounts to CCAR training and events, discounts on local goods and services, CCAR/IARCP clothing and gear, an online presence on the IARCP website, and global networking opportunities. Click here for more information and if you are interested in becoming a member.

4. Moving?

Your RCP Designation is valid nationwide as long as you keep it up to date with renewals.

5.  RCP Support Collaboratives.

The RCP Coordinator hosts an RCP Support Collaborative to offer a supportive environment for RCPs to connect and seek assistance. This meeting takes place quarterly.