Peer Training & Continuing Education
NAMI Multnomah offers an Oregon Health Authority-approved Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training several times each year.
Upcoming 2026 Training Opportunities
BIPOC Training: April 13th-17th (applications in review)
Veteran and Military Service Member Training: extended session in April & May (now accepting applications)
2SLGBTQIA+ Training: May 11th-15th (application will open Friday, April 3rd at 5 p.m., sign up for application updates here)
Next General PSS Training: Late Summer / Early Fall (anticipated, sign up for application updates here)
April 2026 BIPOC PSS Training
Status: The application is now closed, and we are reviewing applications. Applicants will be notified the week of March 22nd.
In collaboration with the African Youth and Community Center (AYCO) and Us First Initiatives (UFI), we will be holding an in-person BIPOC cohort of our PSS Training April 13th-17th in SE Portland. All scheduling is in Pacific Standard Time (PST), and this training is offered at no cost to participants.
Spring BIPOC PSS Training Schedule
Monday, April 13th: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14th: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wedneday, April 15th: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 16th: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17th: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Veteran & Military Service Member PSS Training
Status: We are currently accepting applications.
Our next Veteran and Military Service Member Cohort Peer Support Specialist Training will be an extended training schedule occurring over four weeks in April and May, with four-hour learning sessions on Thursday and Friday mornings, with two-hour practical sessions on Tuesday evenings. This virtual training, sponsored by OHA, is offered for Veterans and Military Service Members who live, work, or volunteer in the state of Oregon, and it is offered at no cost to participants.
We are currently accepting 100 applications to review for 20 spots, and the application can be completed here. See training details below (all scheduling is in Pacific Standard Time), and please note that we anticipate closing the application soon so interested peers should apply as soon as possible to be considered.
Spring Veteran PSS Training Schedule
Thursday, April 23th: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Friday, April 24th: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Tuesday April 28th: 6 to 8 p.m. (two-hour practical session)
Thursday, April 30th: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Friday, May 1st: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Tuesday May 5th: 6 to 8 p.m. (two-hour practical session)
Thursday, May 7th: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Friday, May 8th: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Tuesday, May 12th: 6 to 8 p.m. (two-hour practical session)
Tuesday, May 19th: 6 to 8 p.m. (two-hour practical session)
Thursday, May 21st: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Friday, May 22nd: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (four-hour learning session)
Program Details
Our 40-hour job training program is an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved PSS training for Adults in Mental Health. NAMI Multnomah developed our peer training curriculum in collaboration with Cascadia Health and other peer collaborators. Peers who complete the training can apply to become OHA Traditional Health Workers (THW) as Peer Support Specialists for Adult Mental Health. Find the OHA’s Traditional Health Worker FAQs here.
Training Requirements for NAMI Multnomah’s PSS Training:
Identify as a peer (a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services).
Be at least 18 years of age.
Not be listed on the Medicare provider exclusion list.
Other requirements may apply, depending on training; see below for additional information.
Program costs and Additional Eligibility REQUIREMENTS
Our training programs are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to funding from Multnomah County and Oregon Health Authority.
Our general training, sponsored by Multnomah County, is offered for peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County.
Our Veteran training, sponsored by OHA, is offered for Veterans and Military Service Members who live, work, or volunteer in the state of Oregon.
Our 2SLGBTQIA+ training, sponsored by Multnomah County, is offered for peers who live, work, or volunteer in Multnomah County.
Continuing Education (CE), Certification, and Recertifcation Information
We offer ongoing Continuing Education (CE) courses, including our Evening with the Experts series. Please sign up here to be notified about upcoming CE courses.
To find additional peer training and CE opportunities in Oregon, check out the THW Training Program database on the Oregon Health Authority’s website here.
Resources for Training Graduates
OHA has an online portal where PSST graduates can submit their THW applications. Click here to access the portal. For applications in languages other than English, applicants make requests for and submit applications to thw.program@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Need to earn recertify? Find information here on the recertification process. To find Continuing Education opportunities, you can use the OHA’s database here.
For more information, please visit the Oregon Health Authority’s website here.