Certified Recovery Support Specialist Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a 'microaggression' in a recovery support context?

Offering a client a list of culturally specific support groups
Telling a Latino client 'You speak such good English!' (Correct answer)
Asking a client about their preferred name and pronouns
Asking a client to describe their cultural background in their own words

Correct answer: Telling a Latino client 'You speak such good English!'

This comment, though often well-intentioned, communicates a harmful assumption that English fluency is surprising for a Latino person and can undermine trust.

Question 2: A recovery support specialist avoids giving advice without permission as a way to respect:

Autonomy (Correct answer)
Confidentiality
Fidelity
Beneficence

Correct answer: Autonomy

Respecting autonomy in MI means the specialist supports the client's right to make their own decisions and avoids imposing direction without being invited.

Question 3: When an RSS realizes they have made a culturally insensitive comment to a client, the MOST appropriate response is to:

Say nothing and hope the client did not notice
Immediately refer the client to another provider
Apologize sincerely, acknowledge the impact of the comment, and recommit to respectful practice (Correct answer)
Explain that the comment was unintentional so the client should not take offense

Correct answer: Apologize sincerely, acknowledge the impact of the comment, and recommit to respectful practice

A sincere apology that acknowledges impact (not just intent) and recommits to respectful practice models accountability and can repair the therapeutic relationship.

Question 4: A peer specialist is helping someone who feels their voice is never heard in treatment team meetings. What is the most empowering response?

Role-play with the peer to practice assertive communication skills before the next meeting (Correct answer)
Advise the peer to stop attending meetings
File a complaint with the treatment team's supervisor without consulting the peer
Attend the meetings and speak for the peer

Correct answer: Role-play with the peer to practice assertive communication skills before the next meeting

Role-playing builds the peer's confidence and assertiveness skills so they can represent themselves effectively.

Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a 'trigger' that may affect a person's wellness in recovery?

Practicing mindfulness meditation
Attending a recovery support group
Visiting a location where past substance use occurred (Correct answer)
Completing a WRAP daily plan

Correct answer: Visiting a location where past substance use occurred

Visiting places associated with past substance use is a common environmental trigger that can challenge a person's recovery and wellness.

Question 6: A CRSS is mentoring a peer who is hesitant to speak up during their treatment planning meetings. The peer feels their opinions are not as important as the clinical staff's. Which of the following is the most effective initial action for the CRSS to take?

Advise the peer to write down their thoughts and give the paper to the therapist.
Tell the peer that treatment will only work if they take an active role and insist they speak up.
Role-play with the peer to practice how they can express their needs and preferences assertively during the meeting. (Correct answer)
Attend the next meeting with the peer and speak on their behalf to model advocacy.

Correct answer: Role-play with the peer to practice how they can express their needs and preferences assertively during the meeting.

The core of mentoring in recovery support is empowering individuals to advocate for themselves. Role-playing is an educational tool that builds skills and confidence in a safe environment, directly preparing the peer to use their own voice. Speaking for the peer (A) is disempowering. While writing notes (B) can be a tool, it doesn't build the skill of self-advocacy. Insisting they speak up (D) can be intimidating and counterproductive.

Question 7: Which of the following is a key component of the Marlatt & Gordon cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention model?

Eliminating all environmental stressors
Focusing exclusively on medication adherence
Teaching clients to identify high-risk situations and develop coping responses (Correct answer)
Requiring clients to remain in residential care indefinitely

Correct answer: Teaching clients to identify high-risk situations and develop coping responses

Marlatt & Gordon's model centers on identifying high-risk situations and building specific coping skills to navigate them without returning to use.

Question 8: A peer asks a CRSS to help them understand their rights under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. What is the most accurate summary of this law?

It establishes a national registry of certified peer specialists
It mandates that all employers provide recovery support services
It provides free treatment to all Americans with substance use disorders
It requires that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders be no more restrictive than coverage for medical or surgical conditions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It requires that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders be no more restrictive than coverage for medical or surgical conditions

MHPAEA requires insurance plans to apply the same coverage limits and treatment criteria to behavioral health as to medical and surgical benefits.

Question 9: Which concept reflects the belief that people in recovery are the experts on their own lives and recovery journeys?

Clinical primacy
Professional hierarchy
Lived experience authority (Correct answer)
Evidence-based mandate

Correct answer: Lived experience authority

Lived experience authority recognizes that people with first-hand recovery experience have unique and valid expertise about their own needs.

Question 10: Which of the following describes the primary function of a 211 helpline in the United States?

Emergency medical dispatch services
A national information and referral service connecting people to local health and human services (Correct answer)
A crisis counseling and suicide prevention line
A government benefits enrollment portal

Correct answer: A national information and referral service connecting people to local health and human services

211 is a nationwide helpline that connects callers with local social services including food, shelter, healthcare, and mental health resources.

Question 11: Which of the following best describes a core principle of a Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC)?

Prioritizing clinical interventions over community and peer supports.
A one-size-fits-all approach to ensure consistency of care.
A focus on acute, professionally-directed treatment episodes.
Services that are person-centered and build on individual strengths. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Services that are person-centered and build on individual strengths.

A Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) is a paradigm that shifts away from acute, professionally directed models toward a coordinated network of person-centered services that build on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families, and communities.

Question 12: A trauma-informed approach to asking about a client's history BEST involves:

Requiring full disclosure before services begin
Gathering all trauma details in the first session
Using standardized intake forms without modification
Asking 'What happened to you?' instead of 'What's wrong with you?' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Asking 'What happened to you?' instead of 'What's wrong with you?'

Reframing the question from deficit-focused to experience-focused honors the client's story without pathologizing them.

Question 13: When co-mentoring a group of people in early recovery who have varying levels of education, the recovery support specialist should:

Ask participants to self-identify their education level and divide into separate groups
Deliver the same standardized curriculum regardless of educational background
Use plain language, multiple formats, and check frequently for understanding across the group (Correct answer)
Tailor all content to the lowest educational level and address those with higher education separately

Correct answer: Use plain language, multiple formats, and check frequently for understanding across the group

Universal design principles—plain language, varied formats, ongoing comprehension checks—ensure inclusive education for diverse learners.

Question 14: What is the primary goal of a wellness recovery action plan (WRAP)?

To track a client's medication compliance
To help individuals identify personal wellness tools and create crisis plans (Correct answer)
To document a client's criminal history
To replace professional mental health treatment

Correct answer: To help individuals identify personal wellness tools and create crisis plans

WRAP is a self-designed plan that helps individuals identify personal wellness tools, early warning signs, and steps for crisis prevention and response.

Question 15: Which of the following BEST describes an appropriate professional boundary for a recovery support specialist?

Sharing the home address of another peer who might be able to help
Providing consistent, role-appropriate support within established agency guidelines (Correct answer)
Lending money to a peer who is in financial crisis
Meeting a peer outside of work hours as a personal friend

Correct answer: Providing consistent, role-appropriate support within established agency guidelines

Appropriate boundaries mean providing defined, role-consistent support within agency policies—not forming personal relationships or exchanging favors.

Question 16: A client who is a recent immigrant asks the RSS not to involve any government agencies in their case. The RSS should:

Explain that government involvement is mandatory for all clients
Honor the request to the extent possible, explain limits of confidentiality, and connect the client with community-based resources (Correct answer)
Refuse services until the client agrees to standard agency protocols
Document the request as a red flag for legal concerns

Correct answer: Honor the request to the extent possible, explain limits of confidentiality, and connect the client with community-based resources

Respecting the client's request while transparently explaining confidentiality limits builds trust and acknowledges the real fears that recent immigrants may have about government involvement.

Question 17: How should a CRSS handle a situation where a peer's cultural background influences their approach to recovery in a way that differs from mainstream models?

Explain that evidence-based practices must take priority over cultural preferences
Encourage the peer to adopt mainstream recovery approaches for better outcomes
Honor and integrate the peer's cultural values into their individualized recovery plan (Correct answer)
Refer the peer to a culturally specific program only

Correct answer: Honor and integrate the peer's cultural values into their individualized recovery plan

Cultural humility requires integrating the peer's values and cultural context into support, not overriding them with dominant-culture models.

Question 18: When documenting a client's statement verbatim, the RSS should:

Use quotation marks and attribute the statement to the client clearly (Correct answer)
Omit the client's exact words to avoid any potential misinterpretation
Only document statements that are positive and support the client's recovery
Paraphrase the statement to make it sound more professional

Correct answer: Use quotation marks and attribute the statement to the client clearly

Placing a client's exact words in quotation marks and attributing them clearly distinguishes the client's statement from the RSS's interpretation.

Question 19: Addressing social determinants of health in recovery support refers to:

Recognizing how factors like housing, employment, and food security impact recovery outcomes (Correct answer)
Limiting services to clients who have stable income
Focusing exclusively on medication adherence
Ensuring clients pass clinical assessments before receiving services

Correct answer: Recognizing how factors like housing, employment, and food security impact recovery outcomes

Social determinants such as housing stability, employment, and food security directly influence a person's ability to sustain recovery.

Question 20: When documenting a home visit in a client's record, the RSS should primarily focus on:

Objective observations related to recovery goals and services provided (Correct answer)
Comparisons between the client's home and those of other clients
Personal opinions about the client's living environment
Speculations about the client's future behavior

Correct answer: Objective observations related to recovery goals and services provided

Documentation should be objective and tied to recovery-related services rather than subjective judgments or irrelevant observations.

Question 21: A CRSS specialist notices a client is in the 'Preparation' stage of change. The most appropriate action is to:

Focus only on exploring the pros of change
Help the client build a specific action plan (Correct answer)
Wait until the client asks for help
Increase psychoeducation about risks of substance use

Correct answer: Help the client build a specific action plan

In the Preparation stage, the client is committed to changing soon, so helping develop a concrete plan is the most effective support.

Question 22: When helping a client build a relapse prevention plan, which element is considered MOST essential according to best practices?

A list of all substances the client has ever used
A schedule of daily AA or NA meetings to attend
Identification of personal warning signs, triggers, and specific coping strategies (Correct answer)
Documentation of all past treatment episodes

Correct answer: Identification of personal warning signs, triggers, and specific coping strategies

An effective relapse prevention plan must be individualized with personal warning signs, triggers, and tailored coping strategies.

Question 23: Which approach is key in promoting individual choices and self-determination?

Providing strict guidelines to ensure consistency
Providing support and encouragement, allowing the person served to have ownership (Correct answer)
Offering direct solutions to solve problems quickly
Enforcing rules to maintain discipline

Correct answer: Providing support and encouragement, allowing the person served to have ownership

Explanation: <br> Promoting individual choices and self-determination involves empowering individuals in recovery to make their own decisions and take ownership of their recovery journey. This correctly identifies the key approach, which emphasizes providing support and encouragement rather than imposing strict guidelines or solutions. This approach fosters autonomy and empowerment, enabling individuals to actively participate in decision-making processes that directly impact their recovery.

Question 24: A CRSS is working with a peer from a collectivistic culture who emphasizes the importance of family consensus in their recovery decisions. The CRSS's training has primarily focused on individual autonomy. What is the most culturally humble approach for the CRSS to take?

Advise the peer to make decisions independently first and then inform their family later to build self-efficacy.
Gently explain to the peer that recovery must ultimately be their own individual journey.
Acknowledge the importance of family in the peer's culture and explore ways to respectfully involve them in the planning process at the peer's direction. (Correct answer)
Document that the peer is demonstrating resistance to taking personal responsibility for their recovery.

Correct answer: Acknowledge the importance of family in the peer's culture and explore ways to respectfully involve them in the planning process at the peer's direction.

This approach respects and honors the peer's cultural values rather than imposing the dominant cultural value of individualism. Cultural humility requires adapting support to align with the peer's worldview, which in this case, involves the family unit as central to decision-making and support.

Question 25: When a recovery support specialist operates within their 'scope of practice,' they are:

Providing therapy and clinical diagnoses as needed
Acting as an advocate without any limitations
Following only the client's wishes regardless of training
Performing only the duties for which they are trained and credentialed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Performing only the duties for which they are trained and credentialed

Scope of practice defines the boundaries of roles and responsibilities a recovery support specialist is trained, credentialed, and authorized to perform.

Question 26: A peer specialist learns that a local recovery community organization (RCO) offers peer-led support groups. This type of resource is valuable primarily because:

It provides lived-experience-based community support that clinical services may not offer (Correct answer)
It is accredited by the Joint Commission
It is always free of charge to participants
It replaces the need for clinical treatment services

Correct answer: It provides lived-experience-based community support that clinical services may not offer

RCOs offer peer-led, community-based support rooted in lived experience, which complements clinical services and fosters long-term recovery community connection.

Question 27: Which element is essential for a consent to release information to be legally valid under 42 CFR Part 2?

The specific name or general designation of the program permitted to make the disclosure (Correct answer)
A notarized signature from the client
The signature of a witness in addition to the client
Approval from the client's primary care physician

Correct answer: The specific name or general designation of the program permitted to make the disclosure

42 CFR Part 2 requires the consent form to specifically identify the program authorized to disclose, among other required elements.

Question 28: What does the term 'person-first language' mean in the context of recovery advocacy?

Describing the person before their condition (e.g., 'person with a substance use disorder') (Correct answer)
Always letting the peer speak first in meetings
Focusing only on the individual rather than systemic issues
Prioritizing the peer's needs over paperwork

Correct answer: Describing the person before their condition (e.g., 'person with a substance use disorder')

Person-first language places the individual before their diagnosis to reduce stigma and affirm dignity.

Question 29: Which statement BEST reflects a trauma-informed approach to wellness support?

Understanding trauma's impact helps provide safety, trust, and empowerment in support (Correct answer)
Trauma-informed care is only for licensed therapists, not peer specialists
Clients should be required to share trauma details before receiving services
Trauma history is irrelevant if the client is currently sober

Correct answer: Understanding trauma's impact helps provide safety, trust, and empowerment in support

Trauma-informed care recognizes how trauma affects behavior and health, and promotes safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment in all interactions.

Question 30: Which of the following is the BEST example of a CRSS linking a peer to a resource that supports the 'Community' dimension of recovery as defined by SAMHSA?

Connecting a peer with a local volunteer organization or a hobby group. (Correct answer)
Helping a peer schedule an appointment with a primary care physician.
Guiding a peer through the process of applying for a job.
Assisting a peer with an application for subsidized housing.

Correct answer: Connecting a peer with a local volunteer organization or a hobby group.

SAMHSA's 'Community' dimension of recovery focuses on relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope. Connecting a peer to a volunteer or hobby group directly addresses this by fostering social connections and a sense of belonging outside of formal treatment services. The other options relate to the Health, Home, and Purpose dimensions.

Question 31: A peer recovery specialist learns that a person in recovery they support has relapsed. What is the MOST ethical first response?

Encourage the person to re-engage with support services without judgment (Correct answer)
Terminate the support relationship to protect professional credibility
Document the relapse in a public case file
Report the relapse to the person's family immediately

Correct answer: Encourage the person to re-engage with support services without judgment

Ethical peer support responds to relapse with compassion and encouragement to re-engage services, not punitive or shaming actions.

Question 32: In peer mentoring, 'reciprocal learning' refers to:

A dynamic in which both mentor and mentee gain knowledge and insight from the relationship (Correct answer)
A formal exchange program where mentors and mentees swap roles each session
Clinical supervision in which professionals teach peers and receive feedback
A requirement that mentees teach skills back to the mentor to demonstrate learning

Correct answer: A dynamic in which both mentor and mentee gain knowledge and insight from the relationship

Peer relationships are mutually enriching; mentors often report growing in their own recovery as a result of mentoring others.

Question 33: A recovery support specialist disagrees with the treatment plan developed by a peer's clinical team. The MOST appropriate response is to:

Refuse to work with the peer until the plan is changed
Override the treatment plan based on peer support experience
Share concerns through appropriate professional channels while continuing to support the peer (Correct answer)
Advise the peer to ignore the clinical team's recommendations

Correct answer: Share concerns through appropriate professional channels while continuing to support the peer

Disagreements with clinical decisions should be communicated through professional channels, not by undermining the team or the peer's care.

Question 34: A peer discloses that they are currently selling drugs to support themselves. The specialist has no indication of imminent danger to others. The MOST ethical action is to:

Terminate services until the peer stops the illegal activity
Ignore the disclosure to protect the relationship
Acknowledge the disclosure, explore underlying needs, and continue supportive engagement (Correct answer)
Contact law enforcement immediately

Correct answer: Acknowledge the disclosure, explore underlying needs, and continue supportive engagement

Unless there is imminent danger, ethical recovery support involves engaging without judgment while exploring underlying needs rather than punishing disclosure.

Question 35: Which of the following best describes the MI principle of 'compassion'?

Agreeing with the client's choices to maintain rapport
Sharing personal stories to build connection
Feeling sorry for the client's circumstances
Actively promoting the client's wellbeing and placing their interests first (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Actively promoting the client's wellbeing and placing their interests first

Compassion in MI means having a genuine commitment to the client's welfare and prioritizing their best interests above other agendas.

Question 36: A peer in recovery is denied housing due to a past felony conviction related to drug use. Which law may provide the strongest protection against this discrimination?

Fair Housing Act with ADA protections (Correct answer)
HIPAA
Older Americans Act
Family and Medical Leave Act

Correct answer: Fair Housing Act with ADA protections

The Fair Housing Act, combined with ADA protections for people in recovery, can protect against housing discrimination based on past drug-related convictions.

Question 37: A CRSS working for an agency is asked by their supervisor to discourage peers from using harm reduction services. What is the most ethical response?

Continue providing full information about harm reduction options while raising the concern through proper channels (Correct answer)
Tell peers harm reduction is ineffective
Immediately resign from the position
Follow the supervisor's directive to protect job security

Correct answer: Continue providing full information about harm reduction options while raising the concern through proper channels

A CRSS has an ethical obligation to provide complete information to peers; concerns about agency policy should be raised formally, not resolved by withholding information.

Question 38: A subpoena is received for a client's substance use disorder treatment records covered under 42 CFR Part 2. The RSS should:

Release the records immediately to comply with the court order
Refuse all court orders since 42 CFR Part 2 overrides all legal processes
Notify the client and consult with the program's legal counsel before releasing anything (Correct answer)
Release only the dates of service and withhold all other information

Correct answer: Notify the client and consult with the program's legal counsel before releasing anything

A subpoena alone does not override 42 CFR Part 2 protections; the program must seek a court order meeting specific criteria and typically notifies the client first.

Question 39: The principle of 'starting where the client is' in peer mentoring means:

Focusing only on the mentee's most immediate crisis
Meeting the individual at their current level of readiness and understanding (Correct answer)
Requiring the mentee to travel to the mentor's location
Beginning all mentoring sessions at the same standardized starting point

Correct answer: Meeting the individual at their current level of readiness and understanding

Effective mentoring is individualized and responsive to the mentee's current readiness, knowledge, and circumstances.

Question 40: Which right is foundational to the recovery movement and distinguishes it from traditional treatment models?

The right to have all decisions made by licensed clinicians
The right to be monitored continuously by professionals
The right to self-direction and control over one's own recovery journey (Correct answer)
The right to permanent disability benefits

Correct answer: The right to self-direction and control over one's own recovery journey

The recovery movement is built on the right to self-direction, contrasting with paternalistic traditional treatment approaches.

Question 41: In the context of community resource linkage, which of the following best defines a 'warm handoff'?

Following up with the peer a week after providing them with a phone number for a resource.
Sending an email introduction on behalf of a peer to a new service provider.
Providing the peer with a brochure and detailed directions to a community agency.
The CRSS personally introducing the peer to a specific staff member at a referral agency, often by accompanying them or facilitating a direct phone call together. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The CRSS personally introducing the peer to a specific staff member at a referral agency, often by accompanying them or facilitating a direct phone call together.

A 'warm handoff' is a supported transfer of care where the CRSS facilitates a direct connection between the peer and the new provider. This personal introduction, whether in-person or via a joint phone call, helps to reduce anxiety, increase the likelihood of successful connection, and transfer the rapport and trust from the CRSS to the new provider.

Question 42: Which MI technique involves drawing out and reinforcing the client's own reasons for change?

Eliciting change talk (Correct answer)
Psychoeducation delivery
Problem-solving barriers
Confronting denial

Correct answer: Eliciting change talk

Eliciting change talk is a deliberate MI strategy where the specialist asks questions designed to have the client articulate their own motivations for change.

Question 43: What does 'professional boundaries' mean in the context of RSS documentation?

Keeping all documentation vague to prevent misinterpretation
Documenting only positive client interactions to maintain a therapeutic alliance
Recording information within the scope of the RSS role without personal commentary or dual-relationship details (Correct answer)
Sharing documentation only with other RSS workers, not clinical staff

Correct answer: Recording information within the scope of the RSS role without personal commentary or dual-relationship details

Professional boundaries in documentation mean recording only role-appropriate interactions and avoiding personal opinions or information that reflects a dual relationship.

Question 44: When a CRSS incorporates a client's spiritual beliefs into their recovery support, this reflects which principle?

Non-linear recovery
Holistic and culturally-based recovery (Correct answer)
Peer-supported recovery
Evidence-based practice

Correct answer: Holistic and culturally-based recovery

Holistic and culturally-based principles recognize spirituality as a valid and important dimension of the whole person in recovery.

Question 45: What is a key difference between individual advocacy and systems advocacy in peer support?

Systems advocacy is outside the CRSS scope of practice
Individual advocacy involves changing laws; systems advocacy helps one person
Individual advocacy helps one person navigate services; systems advocacy aims to change policies affecting many (Correct answer)
Individual advocacy is more important than systems advocacy

Correct answer: Individual advocacy helps one person navigate services; systems advocacy aims to change policies affecting many

Individual advocacy assists a specific person, while systems advocacy addresses structural barriers affecting entire populations.

Question 46: What does 'informed consent' require when a CRSS is advocating on behalf of a peer with a government agency?

The peer must have given explicit, voluntary consent for the CRSS to act on their behalf (Correct answer)
Consent is not required if the advocacy benefits the peer
The CRSS's employer must approve the advocacy action
A doctor must authorize the advocacy contact

Correct answer: The peer must have given explicit, voluntary consent for the CRSS to act on their behalf

Informed consent is required before a CRSS can represent or act on behalf of a peer with outside agencies, respecting the peer's autonomy.

Question 47: What is the primary purpose for a CRSS to develop and maintain a personal community resource map or guide?

To satisfy a mandatory documentation requirement for agency accreditation.
To track which community resources are being over-utilized and report this to funders.
To share with other professionals as a primary networking tool.
To have a quick, reliable way to connect peers with relevant, up-to-date, and appropriate services and supports. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To have a quick, reliable way to connect peers with relevant, up-to-date, and appropriate services and supports.

A resource map is a practical tool that allows a CRSS to efficiently and effectively link peers to appropriate resources. Maintaining this guide ensures the information is current and reliable, which is crucial for providing timely and accurate support that aligns with a peer's self-identified goals.

Question 48: In Motivational Interviewing, what term describes a client's statements that favor making a change?

Ambivalence
Sustain talk
Discord
Change talk (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Change talk

Change talk refers to the client's own verbal expressions of desire, ability, reasons, or need to change a behavior.

Question 49: A recovery support specialist is experiencing secondary traumatic stress from their work. The MOST ethical response is to:

Transfer all peers to other specialists and take extended leave without explanation
Conceal the issue so as not to appear weak to supervisors or peers
Seek supervision, self-care, and professional support to maintain competence (Correct answer)
Reduce caseload without informing anyone to manage stress privately

Correct answer: Seek supervision, self-care, and professional support to maintain competence

Addressing secondary traumatic stress through supervision and self-care is an ethical responsibility to maintain the quality of care provided to peers.

Question 50: A peer expresses a desire to find stable housing but is overwhelmed by the application process and unsure where to start. What is the MOST effective and empowering initial action for the CRSS to take?

Complete the housing applications on behalf of the peer to ensure they are done correctly and quickly.
Sit with the peer, explore their specific needs and preferences, and collaboratively guide them through the process of finding and completing one application together. (Correct answer)
Refer the peer to a clinical case manager, as navigating housing resources is outside the CRSS scope of practice.
Give the peer a list of local housing authorities and suggest they call them when they feel ready.

Correct answer: Sit with the peer, explore their specific needs and preferences, and collaboratively guide them through the process of finding and completing one application together.

The correct action is collaborative and empowering. By working with the peer, the CRSS models the process, builds the peer's skills and confidence, and ensures the actions are person-centered and self-directed. Filling out the form for them is disempowering, and simply providing a list may not be supportive enough for someone who is overwhelmed. Resource linkage is a core competency of a CRSS.

Question 51: Which dimension of wellness focuses on finding purpose, meaning, and direction in life?

Social wellness
Spiritual wellness (Correct answer)
Emotional wellness
Physical wellness

Correct answer: Spiritual wellness

Spiritual wellness involves finding meaning, purpose, and a sense of direction, which is a core pillar of holistic recovery.

Question 52: Secondary traumatic stress in peer support specialists MOST commonly results from:

Working long shifts without breaks
Overloading administrative paperwork
Disagreements with supervisors
Repeated indirect exposure to others' traumatic experiences (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Repeated indirect exposure to others' traumatic experiences

Secondary traumatic stress occurs when helpers absorb the emotional weight of clients' trauma narratives over time.

Question 53: When a recovery support specialist disagrees with agency policies they believe are harming peers, the MOST ethical action is to:

Openly criticize the agency in front of peers to raise awareness
Use appropriate internal channels to advocate for policy change while following current policy (Correct answer)
Ignore agency policy and act independently based on personal judgment
Immediately resign in protest to demonstrate ethical commitment

Correct answer: Use appropriate internal channels to advocate for policy change while following current policy

Ethical advocacy involves working through legitimate organizational channels to change harmful policies while continuing to operate within existing professional standards.

Question 54: Cultural humility in community resource linkage means the peer specialist:

Only refers clients to agencies within their own cultural community
Assumes clients from the same cultural background share identical needs
Recognizes the limits of their cultural knowledge and centers the client's cultural identity and preferences (Correct answer)
Avoids discussing cultural factors to remain neutral

Correct answer: Recognizes the limits of their cultural knowledge and centers the client's cultural identity and preferences

Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection and centering the client's own definition of their cultural identity rather than making assumptions.

Question 55: When helping a client build a personal relapse prevention plan, a CRSS specialist should primarily:

Rely solely on the client's clinical treatment team to create the plan
Focus only on negative consequences of relapse
Use a standardized template with no client input
Collaborate with the client to identify their unique triggers, warning signs, and strengths (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Collaborate with the client to identify their unique triggers, warning signs, and strengths

Effective relapse prevention planning is collaborative — the client's lived experience and self-knowledge are essential to creating a plan that actually works for them.

Question 56: Which of the following describes a 'recovery-oriented system of care' (ROSC)?

A peer-run residential facility only
A coordinated network of community-based services supporting long-term recovery (Correct answer)
An emergency crisis stabilization unit
A single treatment program with a fixed curriculum

Correct answer: A coordinated network of community-based services supporting long-term recovery

A ROSC is a broad, flexible system of clinical and community services designed to support recovery across all stages and life domains.

Question 57: The concept of 'recovery capital' refers to:

Financial assets available for treatment costs
The breadth and depth of internal and external resources available to initiate and sustain recovery (Correct answer)
Capital punishment reform in drug policy
Government funding for recovery programs

Correct answer: The breadth and depth of internal and external resources available to initiate and sustain recovery

Recovery capital encompasses personal, family, social, and community resources that support an individual's recovery journey.

Question 58: Which of the following is an example of an affirmation in Motivational Interviewing?

'What does your family think about your behavior?'
'If you don't change, things will get worse.'
'You've shown real courage by coming here today.' (Correct answer)
'You really need to stop using substances.'

Correct answer: 'You've shown real courage by coming here today.'

Affirmations in MI are genuine statements that recognize the client's strengths, efforts, or positive qualities.

Question 59: An agency transitions from paper records to an electronic health record (EHR) system. Regarding confidentiality, the RSS should:

Share login credentials with trusted colleagues to ease the workload
Only enter non-sensitive information into the EHR and keep sensitive notes on paper
Use a unique login, log out after each session, and follow the agency's electronic data security policies (Correct answer)
Print all electronic records for backup and store them at home

Correct answer: Use a unique login, log out after each session, and follow the agency's electronic data security policies

Unique logins, automatic logouts, and adherence to data security policies protect electronic records from unauthorized access.

Question 60: Which of the following BEST demonstrates boundary maintenance in a mentoring relationship?

Sharing all personal struggles so the mentee feels the mentor is equally vulnerable
Keeping the relationship focused on recovery goals while maintaining warm, professional connection (Correct answer)
Developing a close friendship with the mentee to build deep trust
Avoiding any personal conversation to maintain strict professionalism

Correct answer: Keeping the relationship focused on recovery goals while maintaining warm, professional connection

Effective mentoring maintains warmth and connection while keeping the relationship purposeful and bounded by the mentoring role.

Question 61: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research is foundational to trauma-informed care because it demonstrates:

A dose-response relationship between trauma exposure and long-term health outcomes (Correct answer)
That childhood trauma has no lasting physical health effects
That resilience fully offsets the effects of adverse experiences
ACEs only affect mental health, not physical health

Correct answer: A dose-response relationship between trauma exposure and long-term health outcomes

The ACE study showed that higher ACE scores correlate with increased risk of serious health, social, and behavioral problems throughout life.

Question 62: The concept of 'no wrong door' in community resource linkage means:

Clients may enter any treatment facility without an appointment
Clients should never be turned away without receiving a referral to appropriate services (Correct answer)
Any peer specialist can provide any service regardless of training
All agencies share one single intake process

Correct answer: Clients should never be turned away without receiving a referral to appropriate services

The 'no wrong door' approach ensures that individuals receive help or referrals regardless of which agency or point of entry they first contact.

Question 63: What does 'meeting the client where they are' mean in recovery support practice?

Visiting clients at their home
Agreeing with whatever the client says
Reducing expectations for client progress
Accepting the client's current stage of change without judgment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Accepting the client's current stage of change without judgment

This principle means acknowledging the client's current readiness level and working from that point rather than imposing expectations.

Question 64: Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'self-determination' in peer recovery support?

Self-determination applies only to peers with full legal decision-making capacity
The agency sets recovery goals that peers must follow to receive services
The specialist determines the best recovery path for each peer
The peer has the right to make their own choices about their recovery journey (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The peer has the right to make their own choices about their recovery journey

Self-determination is the ethical principle that peers have the right to define and direct their own recovery, even if the specialist disagrees with their choices.

Question 65: A recovery support specialist receives a social media friend request from a peer they currently support. The MOST ethical response is to:

Accept privately but avoid interacting publicly with the peer online
Accept the request to strengthen the therapeutic alliance
Block the peer without explanation to maintain boundaries
Decline and discuss the agency's social media boundary policy with the peer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Decline and discuss the agency's social media boundary policy with the peer

Social media connections with current peers blur professional boundaries; declining and explaining policy maintains the professional relationship appropriately.

Question 66: A recovery support specialist helping a client navigate housing, transportation, and employment resources is primarily building which type of recovery capital?

Community capital (Correct answer)
Cultural capital
Personal capital
Social capital

Correct answer: Community capital

Community capital refers to external resources available through community systems such as housing, transportation, employment, and social services.

Question 67: A peer mentions that they find meditation and participation in a non-secular support group to be more helpful for their recovery than traditional 12-step meetings. How should a CRSS respond to honor the principle of 'Many Pathways'?

Express support for the peer's chosen methods and help them find resources to continue those practices. (Correct answer)
Document that the peer is "non-compliant" with the recommended recovery plan.
Suggest that while those are helpful, 12-step programs have a longer history of success.
Explain that all recovery paths eventually lead to the same core principles.

Correct answer: Express support for the peer's chosen methods and help them find resources to continue those practices.

The 'Many Pathways' principle acknowledges that recovery is a highly individual process and there are multiple valid ways to achieve it, including secular, non-secular, clinical, and self-directed approaches. The CRSS's role is to support and affirm the peer's chosen path without imposing a single 'correct' method.

Question 68: Which approach best reflects the CRSS role in supporting self-advocacy?

Teaching the peer skills to advocate for themselves and stepping back when appropriate (Correct answer)
Limiting advocacy to what the supervising agency approves
Making decisions for the peer when they seem uncertain
Speaking on behalf of the peer at all meetings

Correct answer: Teaching the peer skills to advocate for themselves and stepping back when appropriate

The CRSS role is to build the peer's own capacity to self-advocate, not to replace their voice.

Question 69: The recovery principle of 'Respect' is critical for ensuring that services are non-discriminatory and person-centered. Which action is a key component of this principle?

Making decisions for a peer to protect them from potential failure.
Sharing the CRSS's own recovery story at every meeting to build rapport.
Protecting a peer's rights and working to eliminate discrimination and stigma. (Correct answer)
Agreeing with every statement a peer makes to avoid conflict.

Correct answer: Protecting a peer's rights and working to eliminate discrimination and stigma.

The principle of 'Respect' includes societal and community acceptance, protecting the rights of people affected by mental health and substance use challenges, and actively working to eliminate discrimination. It is about upholding a person's dignity and self-determination within the community and systems of care.

Question 70: When working with a client who is an undocumented immigrant, an RSS should PRIMARILY:

Build trust, maintain confidentiality, and connect the client to culturally appropriate services (Correct answer)
Refer the client to legal counsel before providing any services
Report immigration status to appropriate authorities as required
Avoid discussing legal status to prevent personal liability

Correct answer: Build trust, maintain confidentiality, and connect the client to culturally appropriate services

The RSS role centers on building trust and connecting clients to appropriate resources while upholding confidentiality and a non-judgmental stance.

Question 71: Which of the following represents an INAPPROPRIATE use of self-disclosure by a CRSS?

Sharing the personal contact information of the CRSS's own sponsor (Correct answer)
Mentioning that the CRSS has also found holidays challenging for maintaining sobriety
Noting that the CRSS found recovery meetings helpful during early recovery
Acknowledging from personal experience that managing co-occurring disorders is challenging

Correct answer: Sharing the personal contact information of the CRSS's own sponsor

Sharing a sponsor's personal contact information crosses privacy boundaries, involves a third party without consent, and centers the CRSS's personal network rather than focusing on the peer's needs. The other examples are appropriately brief and relevant disclosures.

Question 72: In a peer-run organization, how does shared governance reflect the principle of self-determination?

It reduces accountability by spreading responsibility too broadly
It ensures professionals maintain control of key decisions
It gives people in recovery meaningful decision-making power over the organization's direction (Correct answer)
It limits the organization's ability to access government funding

Correct answer: It gives people in recovery meaningful decision-making power over the organization's direction

Shared governance embeds self-determination at the organizational level by giving peers real authority in shaping the recovery community they belong to.

Question 73: When a recovery support specialist develops romantic feelings for a peer they support, the MOST ethical course of action is to:

Wait to see if feelings pass before taking any action
Seek clinical supervision and arrange an appropriate transfer of services (Correct answer)
Immediately disclose feelings to the peer to be transparent
Continue the professional relationship while keeping feelings private

Correct answer: Seek clinical supervision and arrange an appropriate transfer of services

Romantic feelings toward a peer represent a conflict of interest that requires supervision and, typically, transfer of the case to protect the peer's wellbeing.

Question 74: Self-advocacy is a critical skill for long-term recovery. A CRSS can effectively teach this skill by:

Completing all necessary paperwork for the peer to model efficiency.
Sharing personal stories of self-advocacy and encouraging the peer to practice in real-life situations. (Correct answer)
Attending all appointments with the peer and answering all questions for them.
Providing the peer with a list of demands to present to their landlord.

Correct answer: Sharing personal stories of self-advocacy and encouraging the peer to practice in real-life situations.

Modeling self-advocacy through appropriate self-disclosure is a key function of a CRSS. Sharing personal experiences can teach and inspire, and encouraging the peer to practice in settings like doctor visits or job applications helps them build the skill and confidence for themselves.

Question 75: In crisis support, the term 'lethality assessment' refers to:

Estimating the probability and severity of a peer harming themselves or others (Correct answer)
Assessing environmental hazards in the peer's living situation
Evaluating how dangerous a neighborhood is for a home visit
Calculating a peer's risk of overdose based on substance use history

Correct answer: Estimating the probability and severity of a peer harming themselves or others

A lethality assessment evaluates factors such as plan, means, intent, and history to estimate the risk of imminent self-harm or harm to others.

Question 76: When supporting someone with co-occurring disorders, the most effective service model integrates which two components?

Medication management only
Mental health treatment and substance use treatment simultaneously (Correct answer)
Peer support only
Detox followed by psychiatric hospitalization

Correct answer: Mental health treatment and substance use treatment simultaneously

Integrated treatment addresses both conditions at the same time by the same treatment team for better outcomes.

Question 77: A peer asks a recovery support specialist to lie to their probation officer about their attendance at recovery meetings. The specialist should:

Consult a supervisor before saying anything to the peer
Agree to protect the peer-specialist relationship
Report the request to the probation officer immediately
Decline, explain why honesty is essential, and help the peer address the situation honestly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Decline, explain why honesty is essential, and help the peer address the situation honestly

Agreeing to deceive a legal officer would violate the specialist's professional ethics; the ethical response is to decline and help the peer find honest solutions.

Question 78: The MOST important reason for a recovery support specialist to maintain ongoing professional development is to:

Gain enough credentials to transition into a clinical counseling role
Meet licensing requirements that mandate a set number of continuing education hours
Demonstrate superiority over peers who are not pursuing additional training
Stay current with recovery support best practices and continue growing as an effective mentor (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stay current with recovery support best practices and continue growing as an effective mentor

Ongoing learning keeps RSS practitioners effective, ethical, and responsive to the evolving recovery support landscape.

Question 79: A client expresses low confidence in their ability to stay sober. The MI-consistent response from a peer specialist is to:

Remind them of the consequences of relapse
Explore past successes and strengths to build self-efficacy (Correct answer)
Reassure them by sharing statistics on recovery success rates
Encourage them to attend more meetings to find role models

Correct answer: Explore past successes and strengths to build self-efficacy

MI builds self-efficacy by helping clients recognize their own past successes and capabilities rather than relying on external reassurance or fear-based motivation.

Question 80: Which of the following BEST describes appropriate self-disclosure by a CRSS?

Selectively sharing relevant personal experience in a way that benefits the peer (Correct answer)
Sharing personal experience only when the peer specifically requests it
Sharing full details of past substance use to demonstrate deep empathy
Avoiding any mention of personal recovery to maintain professional distance

Correct answer: Selectively sharing relevant personal experience in a way that benefits the peer

Appropriate self-disclosure is intentional and selective — a CRSS shares what is relevant and beneficial to the peer's recovery journey, not everything (which can make the session about the CRSS) or nothing (which loses the value of lived experience).

Question 81: Creative wellness in recovery can BEST be supported by:

Encouraging exploration of creative outlets that resonate with the individual (Correct answer)
Limiting creative expression to structured therapy sessions only
Telling clients creativity is a luxury not relevant to recovery
Requiring clients to take art classes

Correct answer: Encouraging exploration of creative outlets that resonate with the individual

Encouraging individuals to explore creative outlets that personally resonate with them supports creative wellness and provides healthy emotional expression.

Question 82: A CRSS observes that peers with co-occurring disorders are consistently denied services at a local agency. What type of advocacy is most appropriate?

Systemic advocacy to change agency policy or practices (Correct answer)
Informal peer encouragement
Advising peers to find services in another state
Reporting each peer's case to their family

Correct answer: Systemic advocacy to change agency policy or practices

A pattern of denial affecting multiple peers calls for systemic advocacy to address the policy or practice causing the barrier.

Question 83: Which of the following is an example of 'systems advocacy' that a CRSS might engage in?

Helping a single peer fill out an application for benefits.
Driving an individual to a medical appointment.
Attending a community meeting to speak about the need for more recovery-friendly employment opportunities. (Correct answer)
Sharing their personal recovery story in a one-on-one meeting.

Correct answer: Attending a community meeting to speak about the need for more recovery-friendly employment opportunities.

Systems advocacy involves working to create change at an organizational or community level that will benefit groups of people, not just one individual. Advocating for better employment opportunities is a classic example of working to improve the system for all people in recovery.

Question 84: The concept of 'recovery capital' refers to:

Capital funding available for treatment programs
The internal and external resources a person has to support sustained recovery (Correct answer)
The number of treatment episodes a person has completed
Financial savings accumulated during recovery

Correct answer: The internal and external resources a person has to support sustained recovery

Recovery capital encompasses personal strengths, social support, housing, employment, and community connections that protect against relapse.

Question 85: Which of the following is a key difference between peer mentoring and clinical counseling in the education role?

Peer mentors are required to maintain confidentiality while counselors are not
Peer mentors can provide diagnoses while counselors cannot in some states
Peer mentors focus only on education while counselors focus only on therapy
Peer mentors draw on lived experience and mutual aid, while counselors use clinical theory and licensure-based interventions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Peer mentors draw on lived experience and mutual aid, while counselors use clinical theory and licensure-based interventions

The fundamental distinction is that peer support is rooted in shared experience and mutual aid, whereas clinical counseling applies professional theory and licensure.

Question 86: A client in long-term recovery who reports boredom, complacency, and overconfidence may be at risk for what?

Complacency-related relapse, sometimes called 'dry drunk' syndrome (Correct answer)
Successful independence from all support
Over-engagement in recovery activities
Transition readiness for discharge

Correct answer: Complacency-related relapse, sometimes called 'dry drunk' syndrome

Complacency and overconfidence in long-term recovery can lead to dropping protective behaviors, which is a recognized relapse risk pattern.

Question 87: A CRSS is supporting someone who wants to appeal a denial of Medicaid-funded treatment services. What is the most direct first step?

Help the person request an administrative appeal within the required timeframe (Correct answer)
Advise the person to pay out of pocket
Wait for the agency to reverse the decision on its own
Contact a local TV station

Correct answer: Help the person request an administrative appeal within the required timeframe

Medicaid denials have formal administrative appeal processes with strict deadlines that must be followed to protect the individual's rights.

Question 88: Which behavior BEST exemplifies a peer specialist modeling wellness for a client?

Telling clients to do as they say, not as they do
Describing their own ongoing recovery practices and self-care strategies (Correct answer)
Presenting only clinical information without personal insight
Keeping all personal recovery experience confidential at all times

Correct answer: Describing their own ongoing recovery practices and self-care strategies

Peer specialists use their lived experience, including personal wellness practices, as a tool to inspire and guide clients in their own recovery.

Question 89: When a peer specialist is helping someone who is intoxicated and in crisis, what is the first priority?

Initiating a detailed relapse prevention discussion
Ensuring the immediate physical safety of the peer (Correct answer)
Conducting a full psychosocial assessment
Reviewing the peer's treatment history

Correct answer: Ensuring the immediate physical safety of the peer

Physical safety always takes precedence; assessment and other interventions follow once the person is safe.

Question 90: A recovery support specialist is asked to sign a document they know contains false information about a peer's participation in services. They should:

Sign it to avoid conflict with the requesting agency
Refuse to sign and report the issue to their supervisor or ethics officer (Correct answer)
Sign with a note that the information is unverified
Ask the peer if they want the document signed before deciding

Correct answer: Refuse to sign and report the issue to their supervisor or ethics officer

Signing a falsified document violates professional ethics; specialists must refuse and escalate the issue through appropriate channels.

Question 91: After a crisis situation is resolved, what is an important follow-up action for a peer specialist?

Referring all follow-up to the clinical team without peer involvement
Waiting at least 30 days before re-engaging to avoid dependency
Closing the case immediately to protect the peer's privacy
Conducting a brief check-in to assess ongoing safety and reinforce supports (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Conducting a brief check-in to assess ongoing safety and reinforce supports

Post-crisis follow-up check-ins are critical because risk can remain elevated and reinforce the peer's connection to support.

Question 92: Which approach to addiction recognizes it as a chronic brain disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors?

The spiritual model
The social learning model
The disease model (Correct answer)
The moral model

Correct answer: The disease model

The disease model characterizes addiction as a chronic brain disorder with biological, psychological, social, and environmental influences.

Question 93: A recovery support specialist notices a mentee is not progressing as expected after multiple educational sessions. The FIRST step should be to:

Increase the frequency of sessions and repeat the same educational content
Discharge the mentee from mentoring services due to poor engagement
Reflect with the mentee on what is and isn't working and adjust the approach together (Correct answer)
Formally document the lack of progress and report it to the supervisor as non-compliance

Correct answer: Reflect with the mentee on what is and isn't working and adjust the approach together

Collaborative reflection ensures the mentoring approach remains person-centered and responsive to the individual's actual needs.

Question 94: Which statement about 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA is accurate?

42 CFR Part 2 provides stricter protections specifically for substance use disorder records than HIPAA's general privacy rule (Correct answer)
42 CFR Part 2 applies only to inpatient treatment programs, not outpatient or peer support services
HIPAA supersedes 42 CFR Part 2 in all circumstances
42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA provide identical protections for all health records

Correct answer: 42 CFR Part 2 provides stricter protections specifically for substance use disorder records than HIPAA's general privacy rule

42 CFR Part 2 imposes stricter consent and disclosure requirements for substance use disorder records than HIPAA's general health information protections.

Question 95: When using storytelling as a mentoring tool, a recovery support specialist should:

Tell detailed personal stories in every session to build rapport and trust
Only share stories about other people in recovery to protect their own privacy
Share stories purposefully and relate them to the mentee's situation without oversharing personal details (Correct answer)
Avoid storytelling entirely because it is not evidence-based

Correct answer: Share stories purposefully and relate them to the mentee's situation without oversharing personal details

Purposeful, selective storytelling enhances connection and illustrates recovery concepts without shifting focus away from the mentee.

Question 96: Which statement about persons with mental illnesses and employment is accurate?

Persons with mental illnesses can only work in sheltered or supported employment settings.
Most persons with mental illnesses want to work and can succeed in competitive employment. (Correct answer)
Most persons with mental illnesses prefer not to work.
Only a small percentage of persons with mental illnesses can succeed in competitive employment.

Correct answer: Most persons with mental illnesses want to work and can succeed in competitive employment.

Explanation: <br> Many individuals with mental illnesses have a strong desire to work and can achieve success in competitive employment environments. This fact challenges common stereotypes and highlights the importance of providing opportunities and support for employment as part of the recovery process. Employment can play a critical role in recovery by promoting independence, financial stability, self-esteem, and social inclusion.

Question 97: A recovery support specialist notices a colleague regularly making derogatory comments about peers behind closed doors. The MOST ethical response is to:

Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict
Warn peers about the colleague's attitude without taking formal action
Address the behavior directly with the colleague and/or report it to a supervisor (Correct answer)
Join in to maintain positive relationships with the colleague

Correct answer: Address the behavior directly with the colleague and/or report it to a supervisor

Ethical professionals are responsible for addressing peer misconduct that harms the dignity of those receiving services, either directly or through reporting.

Question 98: A CRSS is helping an individual explore housing options. The individual is considering a choice that the CRSS believes may be unstable. What is the most appropriate action for the CRSS to take?

Contact the housing provider and warn them about the individual.
Encourage the individual to weigh the pros and cons of all options and help them find more information. (Correct answer)
Tell the individual they cannot choose that option and select a better one for them.
Refuse to assist the individual further until they make a more responsible choice.

Correct answer: Encourage the individual to weigh the pros and cons of all options and help them find more information.

The role of the CRSS is to support informed decision-making, not to make the decision. By helping the individual explore the potential consequences (pros and cons) of their choice and access good information, the CRSS honors their self-determination while still providing valuable support.

Question 99: What does DARN-CAT stand for in the context of change talk?

Desire, Awareness, Resilience, Need—Capability, Attitude, Thinking
Decisional, Ambivalence, Resistance, Need—Commitment, Autonomy, Trust
Direction, Affect, Readiness, Necessity—Change, Action, Trajectory
Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need—Commitment, Activation, Taking steps (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need—Commitment, Activation, Taking steps

DARN-CAT categorizes change talk: preparatory talk (Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need) and mobilizing talk (Commitment, Activation, Taking steps), with the latter being stronger predictors of behavior change.

Question 100: How long must a recovery support agency typically retain client records after the last date of service?

One year
Six months
Records must be destroyed immediately after services end to protect confidentiality
The period specified by applicable state law and agency policy, commonly 7–10 years for adults (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The period specified by applicable state law and agency policy, commonly 7–10 years for adults

Record retention periods vary by state law and funding requirements but commonly range from 7 to 10 years for adult client records.

Certified Recovery Support Specialist Exam

The CRSS examination assesses knowledge and skills across five performance domains and 30 competencies required to provide effective peer recovery support services, including advocacy, mentoring, ethical responsibility, and wellness support.

100

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

65%

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