Have you been thinking about becoming a Professional Recovery Coach in California and want to know more about how to get started?
You’ve come to the right place.
This guide is designed for people who want to become coaches in California.
Below we provide a brief overview of who recovery coaches are, what they do, and how to become a Professional Recovery Coach in California.
Page Navigation
- How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in California
- How Much Do Professional Recovery Coaches Make in California?
- What do Professional Recovery Coaches Do?
- Professional Recovery Coach Schools in California
- Recovery Coach Representative Schools in California – Summary Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in California
If you’re serious about becoming a Professional Recovery Coach in California, first, you’ll want to research professional training and certification programs.
California has special provisions that allow friends or family members to act as Professional Recovery Coaches once they have completed state-mandated training.
New candidates must meet the following basic requirements before becoming eligible to enroll in a state-sponsored certification program.
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Direct Work Experience or Volunteer Experience
- Complete Educational Training Requirements
How Much Do Professional Recovery Coaches Make in California?
Professional Recovery Coaches in California align with the national average for entry-level coaches, which is between $30,000 and $38,000 per year.
What do Professional Recovery Coaches Do?
Professional Recovery Coaches in California go by a wide variety of names.
They can be called Substance Use Counselors, Peer Counselors, Peer Support Specialists, and similar terms.
The role of Professional Recovery Coaches remains the same as they provide the following support services for people in recovery.
- Support Services
- Accountability Services
- Individual Coaching Services
- Relapse Prevention Support
- Advocacy and Empowerment Services
- Community Resource and Referral Services
Professional Recovery Coach Schools in California
Choosing the best Professional Recovery Coach school in California doesn’t have to be complicated when you visit the California Department of Healthcare Services, which has a list of credentialing programs online.
While hundreds of Professional Recovery Coach programs are available in California, the Department of Healthcare Services has only officially certified the three schools below.
#1. – California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)
About the Program
The California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators operates as one of the few Professional Recovery Coach training programs with the approval of the California Department of Healthcare Services.
These programs are designed to train new peer counselors to help people going through the recovery process navigate the healthcare system and stay on track to leading healthier lives.
Courses Offered
- Addiction Counseling
- Certification Training
- Recertification Training
Contact Information
Website: https://www.accbc.org/
#2. – California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals 
About the Program
The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals operates an in-person and online program that prepares students for credentialing as Professional Recovery Coaches, Certified Peer Counselors, and Peer Support Specialists.
Their California DHS-sanctioned program is one of the few in the state with the approval of its highest credentialing authority.
Contact Information
Address: 2500 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento, California, 95821
Phone: 800-564-5927
Website: https://ccapp.us/
#3. – California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP)
About the Program
The California Association of DUI treatment programs operates a training school network that teaches students how to become Substance Use Disorder Counselors and related fields.
This program is one of the few approved by the California Department of Healthcare Services to train and educate the next generation of Peer Recovery Coaches and Substance Use Counselors in California.
Courses Offered
- Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor
- Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor
- Additional Substance Use Disorder Certifications
Contact Information
Website: https://www.accbc.org/
Recovery Coach Representative Schools in California – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in California
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) | 5220 Clark Ave #347A, Lakewood, CA 90712, United States |
| California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals | 2500 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento, California, 95821, United States |
| California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP) | 1026 W. El Norte Pkwy. PMB 143, Escondido CA 92026, United States |
Average Salary of Professional Recovery Coachs in California
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $38,550 |
| San Diego | $37,055 |
| San Jose | $43,093 |
| San Francisco | $42,921 |
| Long Beach | $38,286 |
| Fresno | $34,406 |
| Sacramento | $37,183 |
| Oakland | $41,891 |
| Santa Ana | $38,320 |
| Anaheim | $38,372 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 440 | $58,640 | - NA - | $95,820 | $32,240 |
| El Centro, CA | 50 | $65,500 | - NA - | $158,980 | $32,270 |
| Fresno, CA | 480 | $62,050 | - NA - | $134,980 | $32,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 9,010 | $69,270 | - NA - | $104,880 | $35,510 |
| Madera, CA | 90 | $45,210 | - NA - | $73,900 | $33,080 |
| Merced, CA | 80 | $54,700 | - NA - | $91,400 | $32,240 |
| Modesto, CA | 240 | $63,820 | - NA - | $125,470 | $34,040 |
| Napa, CA | 110 | $59,930 | - NA - | $102,730 | $32,240 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 460 | $58,030 | - NA - | $98,530 | $32,240 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $55,240 | - NA - | $95,250 | $32,240 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 2,210 | $56,700 | - NA - | $97,600 | $32,240 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 1,720 | $61,860 | - NA - | $101,140 | $33,230 |
| Salinas, CA | 320 | $64,650 | - NA - | $112,090 | $34,740 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 3,430 | $61,270 | - NA - | $100,400 | $32,240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 4,640 | $73,650 | - NA - | $120,030 | $35,800 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,340 | $71,430 | - NA - | $121,610 | $38,270 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 200 | $53,680 | - NA - | $98,890 | $33,010 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 230 | $61,130 | - NA - | $100,810 | $35,760 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 420 | $55,730 | - NA - | $96,450 | $32,240 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 380 | $56,530 | - NA - | $98,760 | $34,030 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 470 | $49,170 | - NA - | $85,910 | $33,720 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 180 | $51,350 | - NA - | $91,850 | $34,790 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 230 | $59,440 | - NA - | $94,690 | $32,340 |
| Yuba City, CA | 50 | $52,940 | - NA - | $90,040 | $32,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become certified as a Professional Recovery Coach in California?
If you’re thinking about becoming certified as a PRC in California, the first thing to do after making sure you meet the minimum requirements is to research state-approved training programs that provide you with the foundational skills to work in addiction treatment centers, mental health facilities, and other therapeutic environments where peer support specialists work.
How long does it take to complete Professional Recovery Coach training in California?
The time each individual takes to complete their training can vary depending on several factors.
Each candidate must meet the minimum requirements for admittance into a state-sanctioned program like the ones listed above.
PRC candidates must also complete the minimum 500-hour work requirement in a therapeutic environment where they work as counselors, peer coaches, aides, and mental health support specialists in preparation for completing their certification credentials.
What do Professional Recovery Coaches do?
Professional Recovery Coaches in California act as invaluable members of therapeutic and counseling teams that provide counseling, support, advice, and resources for people recovering from the effects of substance abuse, alcohol addiction, mental health disorders, or co-occurring disorders.
They offer much-needed guidance, support, and advice that helps keep people in recovery on the right track to wellness.
How much do Professional Recovery Coaches make in California?
Several factors can affect how much Professional Recovery Coaches earn in California.
Experience, training, work location, and advanced skills are all factors that can affect coaches’ salaries.
The starting base salary for most Professional Recovery Coaches in the US is around $30,000.00 per year.
