(1) Any person seeking certification as a CBHPSS must apply on the board's official forms, which may be obtained through the department or from the board web site. All requirements must be met at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the board.

(2) Completed applications must include:

(a) payment of an application fee;

(b) attestation by the applicant of the applicant's diagnosed behavioral health disorder;

(c) attestation by the applicant of the applicant's behavioral health disorder recovery that does not include any period of incarceration, or hospitalization or any inpatient admission related to a behavioral health disorder that exceeds 72 hours, within the two years immediately preceding application;

(d) receipt of fingerprint and background results as reported to the board office by the Department of Justice within 90 days of making application;

(e) official transcripts or training certificates provided directly from the provider documenting completion of 40 hours of the training course in behavioral health peer support, per ARM 24.219.912; and

(f) a written agreement and supervision plan between the applicant and the qualified supervisor who will provide supervision once the certificate is issued. The agreement shall include:

(i) the name and signatures of the applicant and supervisor, including the supervisor's license type, license number, signature, and the service delivery site; and

(ii) a work plan that complies with the supervision guidelines outlined in ARM 24.219.916.

(3) Individuals who have practiced as behavioral health peer support specialists prior to October 1, 2017, shall complete all requirements of this rule.

(a) Training hours may include peer support specialist education hours completed in the past five years.

(b) On-the-job training does not qualify as approvable education hours.

(4) The certificate will be effective as of the date all requirements are met and the certificate is issued by the board office.

(5) An applicant shall not work as a CBHPSS until the effective date of the certificate.

(6) If the applicant fails to satisfy the requirements for certification within one year of the date the application is determined by the department to be incomplete, the application will expire, the application fee will be forfeited, and a new completed application and application fee will be required.