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Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS)

A Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) is an individual who has lived experience with a psychiatric condition(s) plus intensive training, who works as part of a person-driven, health home team, integrating behavioral health and primary care to assist and advocate for individuals in achieving well-being. A PWS is an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted by the authority under ORS 414.665 and who, through community outreach, is responsible for (a) assessing mental health and substance use disorder service and support needs of a member of a coordinated care organization, (b) assisting members with access to available services and resources, (c) addressing barriers to services and providing education and information about available resources for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders in order to reduce stigma and discrimination toward consumers of mental health and substance use disorder services, (d)and assisting members in creating and maintaining recovery, health and wellness.

  • Adult Addictions: A person in addiction recovery who provides support services to people seeking recovery from addiction.

  • Adult Mental Health: A person with lived experience of mental health who provides support services to other people with similar experiences.

  • Family Support: an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist who, based on similar life experiences, provides support services to and has experience parenting a child who:(a) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (b) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.

  • Youth Support: means an individual who meets qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peer support specialist or a peer wellness specialist and who, based on a similar life experience, provides supportive services to an individual who: (a) Is not older than 30 years old, and (b) Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment; or (c) Is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.


PWS Certification Requirements

There are three pathways to becoming a state certified Peer Wellness Specialist in Oregon. Please review the requirements below to see which is the best certification pathway for you:

Pathways to Certification 


1) Complete a training program

  • Complete an Authority-approved minimum 80-hour foundational training program and provide a certificate of completion issued by an Authority-approved training program
  • Complete an Authority-approved oral health training and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.


2) Transfer a certification from another state (Reciprocity)

Applicants who hold a non-Oregon certification whose certification process is similar to that of the state of Oregon for a PWS may be granted certification by the Authority. An applicant must submit a complete application and satisfy the following requirements of the Authority’s certification process for reciprocity:

  • Submit an Authority approved Reciprocity Form or a verification letter from the originating state that contains an active state certification or license number in good standing.

3) Apply with experience (Legacy Clause) 

Applicants seeking to use prior experience as a PWS may be granted Oregon certification by the Authority. An applicant must satisfy the requirements of the Authority’s application process by:

  • Submitting a minimum of one written professional letter of recommendation using the template provided by the Authority. (Template not available until after 10/12/2026). Professional letters of recommendation must be from a past or current supervisor, licensed health provider, colleague, or a community-based organization who is familiar with the applicant’s work experience in the past five years.
  • Submit verifiable evidence of 3000 hours of work or volunteer experience within the past five years.
    • "Verifiable Evidence" means a pay statement, services contract, student practicum, volunteer time log, or other documentation reflecting hours worked or volunteered. Verifiable evidence will not include college credits as qualification hours. As defined in OAR 950-060-0010.
  • Complete an Authority-approved oral health training and provide a certificate or evidence of completion.