If you’re interested in becoming a certified recovery coach, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The BEST recovery coaching certification programs
- How to choose a program
- How to become a recovery coach
Ready? Let’s dive in!
The best certification programs are:
- IAPRC (Established and accredited certification program)
- The Academy for Addiction Professionals (30-hour training program)
- CCAR (5-day training program)
Jump straight to the certifications.
What is a recovery coach?
Recovery coaches help clients overcome various types of addictions and maintain long-term recovery. Many focus on substance abuse, but recovery coaches also work with clients struggling with gambling, sex/love addiction, shopping addiction, and other behavioral dependencies.
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And recovery coaching works. Research shows that:
- Accountability helps reduce relapse rates
- Recovery coaching is associated with a greater likelihood of treatment engagement and opioid abstinence
The best part? You can become a recovery coach and help others struggling with addiction, create a purposeful business, and take control of your own schedule and income.
How do I know? I’ve helped 3,500+ new coaches get started in 50+ industries. And I’ve seen countless recovery coaches turn their hard-earned knowledge and experiences into more impact and freedom.
However, it’s important to distinguish recovery coaches from therapists.
You see:
- Therapists are licensed mental health professionals with degrees in psychology or counseling
- Recovery coaches typically draw from personal or work experience and sometimes specialized training to support others
That’s also why you in most cases don’t need a license or certification as a coach–unless you treat patients. Clients care about the results you help them get, not the certificates you have.
But you might want to get one to build your confidence or because the clinic or hospital you want to work at requires one.
So let’s take a look at the best coaching certifications next.
Top Recovery Coaching Certification Programs
What are the best recovery coaching certification programs? I list the top programs below. (In no particular order.)
Disclaimer: I haven’t gone through any of these certification courses. Instead, I’m recommending them based on their reputation within the coaching industry, online research, and reviews.
| Program | Organization | Accreditation | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Recovery Coach Course (CPRC) | IAPRC | ICF, IC&RC, NAADAC, Florida Department of Health Licensure Board | Self-paced | $2,597 |
| Recovery Coach Academy Training Program | CCAR | NAADAC | 5 days | $850 |
| Recovery Coach Training | The Academy for Addiction Professionals | NAADAC | 30 hours | Available on request |
| Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CAC) | World Coach Institute | ICF | 8 weeks | $1,482 |
Certified Professional Recovery Coach Dual Program (CPRC Dual)
IAPRC
The IAPRC’s Professional Recovery Coach Course (CPRC) was created for anyone looking to specialize in addiction recovery, including counselors, therapists, and managers. You’ll learn about the neuroscience of recovery, professional recovery coaching competencies, and family issues in recovery. You’ll also take part in online skill sessions under the guidance of a Master Professional Recovery Coach.
This is a dual certification program, so you get access to CPC (Certified Professional Coach) when you sign up for CPRC. CPC teaches the skills you need to become a professional life coach.
Duration: Self-paced
Price: $2,597 for CPC and CPRC
Accreditation: ICF, IC&RC, NAADAC, Florida Department of Health Licensure Board
Mode of delivery: Online
Key features:
- Self-paced
- Downloadable training manuals, worksheets, and study guides
- iCoachRecovery membership and access to forums for expert advice
- 20 weeks of live practice sessions
- 100 CEUs (IAPRC, NAADAC)
- 60 ICF CCEs
5-Day Recovery Coach Academy Training Program
CCAR
This program is perfect for anyone who’s looking to fast-track their certification.
In just five days, you’ll learn to guide, mentor, and help others looking to start or keep going in their long-term substance abuse recovery journey through engagement, active listening, and questioning training. You’ll also take a look at your own experiences and learn to use them in a coaching setting.
Duration: 5 days of four-hour sessions
Price: $850
Accreditation: NAADAC, RCP, and New York Certification Board
Mode of delivery: In-person, small classes
Key features:
- Training manual provided
- 30 international continuing education hours
- Completion certification from CCAR and an accreditation certificate from CPD
- Membership and access to the Recovery Coach Community
Recovery Coach Training
The Academy for Addiction Professionals
This 30-hour online course is a beginner-friendly certification program. You’ll gain both coaching skills and understand the recovery process. You’ll also learn how to use the program’s ACT methodology.
Duration: 30 hours
Price: Available on request (courses are billed at under $10 per hour)
Accreditation: NAADAC
Mode of delivery: Online
Key features:
- 30 continuing education hours
- Flexible online delivery
- Access to a professional network
Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CAC)
World Coach Institute
The Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CAC) program offered by the World Coach Institute (WCI) helps you learn the skills and methodologies you need to support clients through addiction recovery. Note that WCI offers multiple paths to certification and you can choose whether you want your certification to be accredited by ICF or not.
Duration: 8 weeks
Price: $1,482
Accreditation: ICH
Mode of delivery: Online
Key features:
- Up to 30 ICF CCE credits
- Self-paced learning format (typically 2 to 8 weeks)
- Access to WCI’s coaching community
Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) – Coaching Business Program
LuisaZhou.com
Note: ETE is not a certification program.
Instead, it’s a program for you if you don’t know…
- Where to start
- What to do
- Or HOW to do it
…But you know you want to get started now so you can leave your job as quickly as possible.
ETE is a roadmap for new coaches–and so far, 3,500+ coaches have used it to get started. It’s the best program for learning how to build a coaching business, even if you’re in a busy 9-5.
In fact…
- Our clients have been able to make their first sales within a few weeks and many have crossed 5- and 6-figures in their first year
- ETE is based on the systems I used to grow my own online coaching business to six figures before I handed in my notice
If you want to learn more, take a look at some of our successful students here.
With that, let’s take it back to recovery coaching programs. Which one is the right program for you?
How do you choose a recovery coach certification program?
With so many certification programs to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?
There are a few things you need to consider:
Cost
I know it’s counterintuitive, but rule out any free certifications you come across – they won’t be worth it.
What you end up paying really depends on you and what you need. If you’re getting certified because it’s a requirement in your niche, you’ll need to meet specific criteria, which could add to the cost.
Length of the program
How much time are you willing to dedicate to becoming a recovery coach? Or, even better, how quickly do you want to become one?
That’s what will help you determine the right program duration that’s right for you. But don’t forego a shorter one just because it’s shorter – if it covers what you need, go for it! Just keep in mind you may not get the hands-on experience that comes with the longer courses.
Accreditation
For the most part, the coaching industry is unregulated – which means that coaching certifications are, too.
So, research the program you want to sign up for. Even better, go for a program approved by a recognized certifying body.
A trusted certifying organization in the recovery coaching space is the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), which operates under NAADAC.
To qualify for this certification, you’ll need to take an exam, which is made up of 125 multiple-choice questions that touch on:
- Knowledge about the role (25%)
- Recovery practice concepts (40%)
- Pharmacology (15%)
- Ethics (20%)
There are a few eligibility requirements that you’ll need to meet to take the exam, including:
- At least a high school diploma or GED
- A minimum of two years of recovery from substance abuse or mental health disorders
- 200+ hours of direct peer recovery support experience
- 6 hours of ethics training and 6 hours of HIV/other pathogens training in the last six years
- Two references
- Passing score on the NCPRSS exam
For the complete list of requirements, click here.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is another “gold standard” accreditation body in the coaching industry. ICF offers three certification levels, ACC, MCC, and PCC.
Course structure
Finally, think about what you’re looking for in a course when it comes to how it’s set up.
Would you prefer to learn in person or remotely? Do you want a course that follows a set schedule or one that allows you to go at your own pace? And, finally, would you prefer a course that offers practical work?
With those things in mind, let’s talk about what it takes to start recovery coaching.
How do you become a recovery coach?
How do you ultimately start your recovery coaching business?
Here are the steps:
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1. Find a niche
First, decide on your niche.
Now, you might be wondering:
“Isn’t ‘recover coaching’ a niche?”
Yes, it is. But you also need to speak to a specific audience. You see, recovery coaching is a broad niche that covers a lot of people.
You have different substance abuse, ages, genders, locations… You name it.
So focus first on a smaller niche. Ask yourself:
Who can you help, how, and why?
And then use this simple formula to define your niche.
I help ___ get ___ by ___
And if you need help understanding exactly how to fill it out, take a look at my quick video here:
2. Get certified and learn to coach
The next step is to get certified – if you decide to take this step.
You see, a certification isn’t necessary for every coach.
For instance, if you’ve worked as a social worker and have helped people overcome substance abuse, you have the experience you need to help people get results.
By coaching people (and offering them a lower rate upfront so that you get the experience you need), you can learn how to coach and become a great coach.
However, some health and mental health coaching niches require one (or specialist recovery coach training). Be sure to double-check the requirements for your niche.
3. Create an offer
The next step is to create an offer.
My recommendation is to start with $1,500 for a 3-month program.
This price point is low enough for people to say “yes” even if you don’t have a lot of (or any) social proof. And the program length is long enough to help clients get results without overextending yourself.
Once you have a few clients (and testimonials that help back up your results), you can increase your rate to what feels comfortable to you.
4. Get paying clients
Then, you need clients for your coaching business.
A few places to look for clients as a recovery coach are:
- Local recovery centers and organizations
- Social media groups
- Podcasts and guest posts
- Friends and family
But what are the specific steps you need to take to get your first clients? Take a look at this quick video:
FAQ: Recovery coaching certification programs
What does it take to become a recovery coach?
To become a recovery coach, you need to have experience of addiction, either through work or through your own experiences. You can get certified if you want to (or you need to, depending on what services you offer). Recovery coaching certification programs often require a high school diploma, personal recovery experience, or professional experience in addiction support.
How much does a recovery coach get paid?
Recovery coaches typically earn between $30,000 and $75,000 annually, depending on experience, certification, and location. High-demand coaches or those with specialized niches can earn upwards of $100,000. If you’re self-employed, your earnings have no cap.
What is the difference between a life coach and a recovery coach?
A life coach helps clients achieve personal or professional goals, while a recovery coach focuses on supporting individuals overcoming addiction or maintaining sobriety. Recovery coaches often draw from personal or professional experience in addiction recovery.
How much does a recovery coaching certification cost?
Recovery coaching certification programs typically cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000, depending on the program’s duration and accreditation. Some certifications also have additional costs for exams, renewals, or required training hours.
Want to become a recovery coach today?
There you have it – the best recovery coaching certification programs available today.
To be a great recovery coach, you need the right kind of experience so you can help your clients get results.
Ultimately, becoming a recovery coach can be a highly fulfilling business. You help others overcome addiction while building a more flexible and abundant life.
Get the Ultimate Guide
for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!
And the best part is…You can get started today.
At the same time, getting started can feel very overwhelming.
I know because I’ve been there. When I started my first coaching business, I desperately wanted to find a roadmap that would’ve helped me launch my business.
But at the time, every program I could find talked about growing a business after quitting your job–something I wasn’t willing to do, given how much I had invested in my career.
Instead, I learned the hard way–by investing tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours. After a few years, I finally started seeing results–and within four months, I had made over six figures. I handed in my notice that same week and haven’t looked back since.
Since then, thousands of new coaches have used my programs to start and grow their businesses.
Want to learn what I teach them and take the first step toward a wildly profitable coaching business?
Get my FREE PDF on how to grow a six-figure coaching business. It’ll show you how it’s possible to replace your salary (and more) by strategically starting and growing your own coaching business.
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