Office of Public Safety Support - Peer Counselor Certification Training

House Bill 703, which established the Office of Public Safety Support (OPSS), clearly defines a “Client” (those who are eligible to receive peer support services) as a Public Safety Officer. The bill goes on to define a Public Safety Officer as a peace officer, correctional officer, emergency health worker, firefighter, highway response operator, jail officer, juvenile correctional officer, probation officer, or emergency services dispatcher. The bill further provides that communications between a “Client” and a peer counselor shall be privileged.

The goal of OPSS is to offer such training to Public Safety Officers who wish to be able to provide emotional and/or psychological support to their fellow first responders. 

The basic concept of Peer Support is the idea of normalizing reactions through shared experiences; therefore, the focus is on training Public Safety Officers (as defined above) who have experienced traumatic events or critical incidents themselves and can help a fellow officer(s) in a time of need.

Students completing the training will receive 40-hours of P.O.S.T Credit, 24 General Education CEUs for EMS, or 24 Hours of State Fire Credit for Firefighters.

Beginning in FY 2027, the location for all OPSS 40 hr. Peer Counselor Certification Courses will be at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, GA. All registrations for these courses will be processed by OPSS. Please do not contact GPSTC for course information. See the class schedule below. Registration instructions/forms will be included in the course links.

    The 8 hr. Peer Counselor Re-certification courses will still be held at various locations around the state, with the current class schedule listed below as well. For more information about scheduling a re-certification class for your agency, please contact your regional peer coordinator.