IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam Practice Test 2026–2027 |
Certification Study Guide | Verified Questions & Answers
Prepare for the IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam with this comprehensive practice test featuring
verified questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This study guide covers key certification
domains including advocacy, mentoring and education, recovery and wellness support, ethical
responsibility, cultural competency, communication skills, trauma-informed care, and
professional boundaries. Designed to reinforce essential peer recovery concepts and improve
exam readiness, the material reflects the knowledge areas commonly assessed on the IC&RC
Peer Recovery credentialing examination. Ideal for peer support specialists, recovery coaches,
and behavioral health professionals seeking a reliable resource to prepare for and successfully
pass the certification exam.
Question 1
A Peer Recovery professional is helping a person access housing assistance. The peer
knows the individual qualifies for a program but the application is complex. Which
action best demonstrates individual advocacy?
A) Complete the application for the individual without their input
B) Support the individual in completing the application themselves while offering
guidance
C) Refer the individual to a social worker and step away from the case
D) Tell the individual that housing is not a priority right now
Rationale: Individual advocacy means supporting the person to speak and act on their own
behalf, not doing things for them. The peer should empower the individual to navigate
systems while providing appropriate guidance. Completing the application for them (A)
creates dependency, not empowerment.
Question 2
Under the IC&RC Peer Recovery Code of Ethics, what is the minimum required
frequency of supervision for a certified Peer Recovery professional?
A) One supervision session per month only
B) One supervision session per week (group or individual) and a total of at least 4
hours per month
,C) Supervision only when requested by the peer
D) No supervision is required if the peer has more than 2 years of experience
Rationale: The IC&RC Peer Code of Ethics requires at least one supervision session per
week (group or individual) and a minimum of 4 hours of documented supervision per
month. Peer Recovery professionals must never work independently without appropriate
supervision.
Question 3
A peer is working with an individual who expresses interest in using medication-assisted
treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. The peer personally prefers abstinence-only
recovery. What should the peer do?
A) Discourage the individual from using MAT because it is “just replacing one drug with
another”
B) Respect the individual’s choice and provide information about MAT options
without judgment
C) Refuse to work with the individual unless they choose abstinence
D) Report the individual to their supervisor for wanting medication
Rationale: One of SAMHSA’s Guiding Principles of Recovery is “Many Pathways.” Peer
workers must respect that recovery looks different for each person and support self-
determination. MAT is an evidence-based practice, and peers must not impose their
personal recovery preferences on others.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of systemic advocacy?
A) Helping a peer complete a job application
B) Working with a local coalition to change policies that restrict housing for people
in recovery
C) Listening empathetically to a peer who is feeling discouraged
D) Driving a peer to a medical appointment
,Rationale: Systemic advocacy involves changing policies, laws, or practices that affect
groups of people. Helping an individual with a job application (A) is individual advocacy.
Listening (C) is emotional support. Driving (D) is instrumental support. Changing housing
policies (B) affects many people and is systemic.
Question 5
A Peer Recovery professional notices that another peer worker at the agency is coming
to work under the influence of alcohol. What is the most ethical first step?
A) Ignore it because it is not the peer’s responsibility
B) Notify the supervisor immediately, as required by the IC&RC Code of Ethics
C) Confront the peer worker directly in front of other staff
D) Post about the situation on social media anonymously
Rationale: The IC&RC Peer Code of Ethics requires self-reporting and requires peers to
report unethical behaviors to their supervisor and credentialing body. Ignoring the
situation (A) violates ethical responsibility. Confrontation (C) may be harmful, and social
media (D) violates confidentiality.
Question 6
What are the four dimensions of recovery as defined by SAMHSA?
A) Abstinence, employment, housing, and medication
B) Health, home, purpose, and community
C) Hope, respect, spirituality, and wellness
D) Physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
Rationale: SAMHSA defines the four major dimensions of recovery as Health (managing
disease and living well), Home (stable and safe place to live), Purpose (meaningful daily
activities), and Community (relationships and social networks). These dimensions are
fundamental to recovery-oriented peer support.
, Question 7
A peer is working with an individual who is not ready to stop using substances. The peer
understands that harm reduction principles require the peer to:
A) Terminate services until the individual is ready to pursue abstinence
B) Meet the individual where they are and offer practical strategies to reduce harm
C) Report the individual to law enforcement
D) Force the individual into residential treatment
Rationale: Harm reduction is a core domain of the peer recovery exam (effective July
2025). One of its key principles is to “meet people where they are” and focus on reducing
negative consequences rather than requiring abstinence. Forcing treatment or terminating
services is not person-centered.
Question 8
Under 42 CFR Part 2, which of the following statements about confidentiality of
substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records is correct?
A) Records can be shared with any healthcare provider without consent
B) Patient-identifying information generally cannot be disclosed without the
patient’s written consent
C) Consent is never required for any disclosure
D) The regulations only apply to mental health records, not SUD records
Rationale: 42 CFR Part 2 protects the confidentiality of SUD treatment records and
generally requires the patient’s written consent for disclosure, except in limited
circumstances such as medical emergencies or court orders. The regulations are stricter
than HIPAA in many ways.
Question 9
Which of the following is within the appropriate scope of practice for a Certified Peer
Recovery Specialist?
Certification Study Guide | Verified Questions & Answers
Prepare for the IC&RC Peer Recovery Exam with this comprehensive practice test featuring
verified questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This study guide covers key certification
domains including advocacy, mentoring and education, recovery and wellness support, ethical
responsibility, cultural competency, communication skills, trauma-informed care, and
professional boundaries. Designed to reinforce essential peer recovery concepts and improve
exam readiness, the material reflects the knowledge areas commonly assessed on the IC&RC
Peer Recovery credentialing examination. Ideal for peer support specialists, recovery coaches,
and behavioral health professionals seeking a reliable resource to prepare for and successfully
pass the certification exam.
Question 1
A Peer Recovery professional is helping a person access housing assistance. The peer
knows the individual qualifies for a program but the application is complex. Which
action best demonstrates individual advocacy?
A) Complete the application for the individual without their input
B) Support the individual in completing the application themselves while offering
guidance
C) Refer the individual to a social worker and step away from the case
D) Tell the individual that housing is not a priority right now
Rationale: Individual advocacy means supporting the person to speak and act on their own
behalf, not doing things for them. The peer should empower the individual to navigate
systems while providing appropriate guidance. Completing the application for them (A)
creates dependency, not empowerment.
Question 2
Under the IC&RC Peer Recovery Code of Ethics, what is the minimum required
frequency of supervision for a certified Peer Recovery professional?
A) One supervision session per month only
B) One supervision session per week (group or individual) and a total of at least 4
hours per month
,C) Supervision only when requested by the peer
D) No supervision is required if the peer has more than 2 years of experience
Rationale: The IC&RC Peer Code of Ethics requires at least one supervision session per
week (group or individual) and a minimum of 4 hours of documented supervision per
month. Peer Recovery professionals must never work independently without appropriate
supervision.
Question 3
A peer is working with an individual who expresses interest in using medication-assisted
treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. The peer personally prefers abstinence-only
recovery. What should the peer do?
A) Discourage the individual from using MAT because it is “just replacing one drug with
another”
B) Respect the individual’s choice and provide information about MAT options
without judgment
C) Refuse to work with the individual unless they choose abstinence
D) Report the individual to their supervisor for wanting medication
Rationale: One of SAMHSA’s Guiding Principles of Recovery is “Many Pathways.” Peer
workers must respect that recovery looks different for each person and support self-
determination. MAT is an evidence-based practice, and peers must not impose their
personal recovery preferences on others.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of systemic advocacy?
A) Helping a peer complete a job application
B) Working with a local coalition to change policies that restrict housing for people
in recovery
C) Listening empathetically to a peer who is feeling discouraged
D) Driving a peer to a medical appointment
,Rationale: Systemic advocacy involves changing policies, laws, or practices that affect
groups of people. Helping an individual with a job application (A) is individual advocacy.
Listening (C) is emotional support. Driving (D) is instrumental support. Changing housing
policies (B) affects many people and is systemic.
Question 5
A Peer Recovery professional notices that another peer worker at the agency is coming
to work under the influence of alcohol. What is the most ethical first step?
A) Ignore it because it is not the peer’s responsibility
B) Notify the supervisor immediately, as required by the IC&RC Code of Ethics
C) Confront the peer worker directly in front of other staff
D) Post about the situation on social media anonymously
Rationale: The IC&RC Peer Code of Ethics requires self-reporting and requires peers to
report unethical behaviors to their supervisor and credentialing body. Ignoring the
situation (A) violates ethical responsibility. Confrontation (C) may be harmful, and social
media (D) violates confidentiality.
Question 6
What are the four dimensions of recovery as defined by SAMHSA?
A) Abstinence, employment, housing, and medication
B) Health, home, purpose, and community
C) Hope, respect, spirituality, and wellness
D) Physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
Rationale: SAMHSA defines the four major dimensions of recovery as Health (managing
disease and living well), Home (stable and safe place to live), Purpose (meaningful daily
activities), and Community (relationships and social networks). These dimensions are
fundamental to recovery-oriented peer support.
, Question 7
A peer is working with an individual who is not ready to stop using substances. The peer
understands that harm reduction principles require the peer to:
A) Terminate services until the individual is ready to pursue abstinence
B) Meet the individual where they are and offer practical strategies to reduce harm
C) Report the individual to law enforcement
D) Force the individual into residential treatment
Rationale: Harm reduction is a core domain of the peer recovery exam (effective July
2025). One of its key principles is to “meet people where they are” and focus on reducing
negative consequences rather than requiring abstinence. Forcing treatment or terminating
services is not person-centered.
Question 8
Under 42 CFR Part 2, which of the following statements about confidentiality of
substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records is correct?
A) Records can be shared with any healthcare provider without consent
B) Patient-identifying information generally cannot be disclosed without the
patient’s written consent
C) Consent is never required for any disclosure
D) The regulations only apply to mental health records, not SUD records
Rationale: 42 CFR Part 2 protects the confidentiality of SUD treatment records and
generally requires the patient’s written consent for disclosure, except in limited
circumstances such as medical emergencies or court orders. The regulations are stricter
than HIPAA in many ways.
Question 9
Which of the following is within the appropriate scope of practice for a Certified Peer
Recovery Specialist?
