North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialists Data 2024 Snapshot

May 6, 2026

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Certified Peer Support Specialists

Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) are integral to the MH/SU services workforce, offering support grounded in lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery. CPSSs are certified by the North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) Program and provide person-centered services that include emotional support, advocacy, and system navigation. As of December 9, 2025, there were 6,772 active CPSSs in North Carolina. Of those 6,772 CPSSs, 2,222 (32.8%) were employed as Certified Peer Support Specialists, a rate of 2.02 CPSS per 10,000 population.

Suggested Citation: Lombardi BM, Headley J, Jimenez MP; Keesler R, Akue-ka AJB; Gregory R; Galloway E; Zerden LD; Fraher E. North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Certified Peer Support Specialists. Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. May 6, 2026.

Funding & Acknowledgements
This project was supported by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMHDDSUS). The information, content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by DMHDDSUS.

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