Accreditation, Certification and Membership

Organizations seeking recognition within the recovery community have three distinct pathways: Alliance Membership, Certification, and Accreditation. Each pathway serves a unique purpose, with varying requirements, review processes, and outcomes.

Which Option

The Unique Programs

Alliance Membership is the most accessible option, allowing organizations to join a network without certification or accreditation. The process takes 4 to 12 weeks, requires no formal documentation or site visits, and must be renewed annually.

Certification goes further, verifying that an organization’s infrastructure aligns with Recovery Community Organization (RCO) Definition and RCO National Standards. While no strict service minimum is required, organizations with at least 6 to 12 months of experience tend to succeed. The process takes 3 to 6 months, involves document submission, a virtual tour, and an interview, and results in a credential valid for two years.

Accreditation is the most rigorous pathway, evaluating the peer recovery support services based on Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services (CAPRSS) Standards. Organizations must have at least two years of service delivery, undergo a 12+ month review process, submit documentation, and complete a two-day, in-person site visit. Accreditation lasts between one and three years before reaccreditation is required.

Hand shows the sign of the top service Quality assurance, Guarantee, Standards, ISO certification and standardization concept.

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The Unique Programs

F&V ARCO Logo_Horiz_White

Uniting and supporting a network of local, regional, and statewide recovery centered organizations through shared knowledge, resources, and networking.

Learn More: ARCO

RCO Certification

The RCO Certification Program recognizes organizations dedicated to promoting recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders and supporting affected individuals, families, and communities.

Learn More: Certification
F&V CAPRSS Logo_Horiz_White

Organizations that earn this certification will be equipped to advocate for policy changes and increase their capacity to support recovery on a broader scale. They will also be better able to foster cultures of hope, healing, and resilience.

Learn More: CAPRSS

Our Programs at a Glance

Pathways OF Recognition

ARCO

Membership in a voluntary membership program that does not certify or accredit organizations.

RCO Certification

Certifies the infrastructure and framework of the organization is in alignment with the RCO Definition and RCO National Standards.

CAPRSS

Accredits the peer recovery support services provided by the organization.

ARCO

No minimum.

RCO Certification

No required minimum, though organizations with a minimum of 6-12 months of service delivery are most successful.

CAPRSS

2-year minimum of service delivery.

ARCO

Organizations demonstrate how they meet the membership benchmarks.

RCO Certification

Organizations demonstrate fidelity to the RCO Definition and RCO National Standards.

CAPRSS

Organizations demonstrate fidelity to the CAPRSS Standards.

ARCO

Organizations can have nonprofit status or can have a nonprofit fiscal agent.

(Other circumstances reviewed on a case-by-case basis)

RCO Certification

Organizations must have independent, current 501c3 status.

CAPRSS

Organizations can have nonprofit or for-profit status.

ARCO

Process generally takes 4-12 weeks from time of application.

RCO Certification

Process takes generally 3 to 6 months.

CAPRSS

Process generally takes 12+ months.

ARCO

No documentation upload is required; though the review committee does review the organization’s website and
public-facing social media.

RCO Certification

Organizations are provided with a document checklist to guide their documentation upload.

CAPRSS

Organizations are provided with a document checklist to guide their documentation upload.

ARCO

No documentation upload is required; though the review committee does review the organization’s website and
public-facing social media.

RCO Certification

Organizations undergo a brief virtual tour and interview.

CAPRSS

Organizations undergo a two-day, in-person site visit.

ARCO

No credential issued. Membership must be renewed annually.

RCO Certification

Certification determination lasts for two years, unless otherwise stated.

CAPRSS

Accreditation determinations range in time from one year to three years.

ARCO

Organizations do not need to reapply.

RCO Certification

Certification determination lasts for two years, unless otherwise stated.

CAPRSS

Organizations undergo reaccreditation process.

ARCO

Cost is based on a sliding scale, determined by the organization’s annual budget.

RCO Certification

Cost is based on a sliding scale, determined by the organization’s annual budget.

CAPRSS

Cost is based on a sliding scale, determined by the organization’s annual budget.

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