NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute

HIV Education & Training Programs

You have successfully submitted your peer Application.

New for Spring/Summer 2025!
The New York State Peer Worker Certification program is pleased to announce several new courses:

• Introduction to the Peer Worker Role (offered virtually or in-person)
• The Role of the Criminal Justice Peer Worker in Community Reentry (virtual)
• Continuity of HIV/HCV/PrEP Care: Transitioning from a Correctional Setting to the Community (virtual)
• Understanding the NYS Criminal Justice System: An Overview for Health and Human Services Providers (virtual)
• Peer Workers Promoting Sexual Health in the Context of Community Reentry (virtual)

Find and register for the above courses via HIVtrainingny.org
Coming Soon: Individuals will soon be able to register for the following courses:

• Inventory of the Peer Worker (offered virtually or in-person)
• Providing Peer Services in a Correctional Facility
• Addressing Substance Use in the Transition from Correctional Facility to the Community

You can find up-to-date Course Tracker forms here – use these forms as a tool to keep track of all your needed courses to complete NYS Peer Certification.

Are you a Certified Peer Worker? Check out the calendar below of our upcoming Certified Peer Worker Support Network Meetings where you can hear about program updates, learn about new job opportunities, and no registration is required.
May 28th – 2-3:30pm
June 25th 7-8:30pm
July 23rd 2 – 3:30pm

E-mail hivet@ny.health.gov for more information.

Need Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain your Certification? Click here to learn more.

Who is eligible for certification?

Any person who has a qualifying lived experience with HIV, Hepatitis-C, Harm Reduction, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is eligible for certification. In addition, the Peer must have work experience at an agency carrying out the specific responsibilities and demonstrate the competencies related to their certification track (HIV, Hep-C, Harm Reduction or PrEP). This experience may be from employment (whether paid or receive stipends), or volunteer work.

Do you agree that you are eligible for certification based on the above criteria?

Please read the following statement. After reading the statement if you would like to begin an application, please click on agree.

I understand that in order to become a New York State Certified Peer Worker in HIV, HCV or Harm Reduction or PrEP, I will be asked to choose one or more of the following Certification tracks which reflect my lived experience: HIV, HCV, PrEP or Harm Reduction. I understand that by selecting a track, and by completing the Statement of Lived Experience, I am disclosing personal information. I understand that I will not be required to disclose any further specific health-related information. I understand that the NYS DOH will protect the confidentiality of all applications for Peer Worker Certification. I understand that my application will be reviewed by staff at the AIDS Institute, the Peer Certification Academic Center (Stony Brook University Center for Public Health Education), and the Peer Worker Certification Review Board. All individuals reviewing applications are required by law and agency policy to maintain all information contained in the application as confidential. I understand that the AIDS Institute will not publish a list of Certified Peer Workers or share any individually identifiable information regarding certified Peer Workers without consent.

I knowingly agree to begin an application with the goal of becoming a New York State Certified Peer Worker in HIV, HCV, Harm Reduction or PrEP.