(a) An applicant must submit all required information and documentation to a certification entity electronically or in hard copy, as specified by the certification entity, including:
  (1) application form;
  (2) proof of core training and supplemental training;
  (3) state-issued identification; and
  (4) signed ethics statement.
(b) For each applicant, the certification entity must conduct the background checks required in §354.3201 of this division (relating to Criminal History and Registry Checks).
(c) Application approval must be based on the requirements in §354.3051 of this subchapter (relating to Minimum Qualifications) and §354.3201 of this division.
(d) Application approval or disapproval must be communicated to the applicant within 60 calendar days. Notice of disapproval must include the reason(s) for disapproval and information on how to file an appeal.
(e) An applicant who is not approved may file an appeal per Division 8 of this subchapter (relating to Complaints, Appeals, and Hearings).
(f) For an approved applicant, the certification entity issues a peer specialist certification, including an endorsement based on the supplemental training completed by the person per §354.3159 of this subchapter (relating to Core and Supplemental Training). Each peer specialist certification includes:
  (1) a certificate number;
  (2) the peer specialist's endorsement, based on lived experience and supplemental training, as a:
    (A) Mental Health Peer Specialist; or
    (B) Recovery Support Peer Specialist;
  (3) the date the certification will expire; and
  (4) the name of the certification entity.
(g) A peer specialist may only provide services consistent with the endorsement on the person's certification, as listed in subsection (f)(2) of this section. However, a person with lived experience in recovery from both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder may apply to receive both supplemental trainings.
  (1) Documentation of each supplemental training under this subsection must be provided to the certification entity to have a second endorsement added to the person's certification.
  (2) Two endorsements do not require additional supervised work experience under §354.3205 of this division (relating to Initial Peer Specialist Certification).
  (3) Two endorsements do not require additional certification renewal training hours.

Source Note: The provisions of this §354.3203 adopted to be effective January 1, 2019, 43 TexReg 8573