About

MABPCB has a long history with the state, going back to the 70's when a group of counselors were approached to produce a state credential for alcoholism counselors. The state later dropped the idea but the group continued the work and became a certification association in 1975. The association produced its own alcohol and drug credentials until 1989 when it became an International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) local board, and adopted their credentials.

In 2002 the state decided to produce their own addiction certification, so the board expanded into criminal justice and training. They also became the sole provider of the state's addiction counselor test, thus keeping their own certification alive. The prevention certification was also birthed in this era which eventually sprung into MAPPA.

In mid 2012 the state approached the board once again, asking them to submit a proposal, this time for a peer credential. The board had already begun work on a peer credential while simultaneously working on a new Co-occurring Disorders Professional credential (CCDP), based on those the IC&RC already owned. The CCDP became a valuable learning tool for the board as it provided an integrated model on which the peer credential was eventually based.

The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) was presented as an approved credential in November 2013 and grandfathering began March 2014. It is the state credential for peer support specialists, navigators, care coordinators, and recovery coaches who work in integrated care organizations in the state of Maryland. The IC&RC guarantees that Maryland's peer credential will be accepted at any of their boards that have the same credential.