CPE Training Project

Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Training

Career and Workforce Development Health, Safety, and Well-being Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Student Leadership Programs Mid-Level

Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training is an effective strategy for building a well-educated and sustainable peer education group, helping peer educators develop the leadership skills needed to successfully create and implement campus programs.

Explore NASPA's CPE training options and other programs below to find the best fit for your campus needs. Want to connect? Email [email protected].

Initially launched by the BACCHUS Network in 1994, the Certified Peer Educator program has been an asset to student leadership development, leading to the certification of more than 350,000 individuals since its inception. As the higher education landscape has evolved, so have the roles of peer educators - whether in the capacity of traditional health and wellness peer educators, resident advisors, or orientation leaders. Campuses are relying on their students to be curators of change and support systems for their peers, and the CPE program provides foundational-level skills to allow these students to be successful. Throughout the 12 hour, 8 module course, students will hone their skillsets to be effective peer educators and leaders. 

 

What Does CPE Training Include?

CPE is a comprehensive, 12-hour foundation training suitable for any collegiate peer education group. The training includes eight modules, covering the role of peer education, helping peers make a behavior change, listening skills, response and referral skills, how to take action and intervene,ensure programming efforts are inclusive and accessible, programming and presentation skills, self-care, and group dynamics.This document provides an overview of the course content and what to expect in each module. 

Students who complete the training and pass the online test earn their Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Certification. In addition to the certification, students will receive a resume attachment confirming they have been trained in core skills that will enhance their abilities as leaders, role models, activists, and team members. 

How Can I bring CPE to My Campus? 

  1. Bring a National Trainer to Your Campus: NASPA can send a staff trainer to deliver the CPE course or Train-the-Trainer training in person. Email [email protected] to schedule a training. 
  2. Become a CPE Trainer: Campus staff can become certified CPE Trainers through the Train-the-Trainer course, enabling them to facilitate the CPE curriculum to their students. Learn more about becoming a CPE Trainer. 
  3. Register Students for Virtual CPE: Students can join a self-paced online virtual CPE. This self-paced program offers a mix of engaging videos, reflective questions, discussion forums, and practice quizzes. 

Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Train-the-Trainer Course

The CPE Train-the-Trainer program is an excellent way to bring CPE training to your campus in a sustainable, lasting way while also supporting your professional development. Through this self-paced, four-hour training, professional staff will learn the fundamentals and goals of CPE, how to effectively facilitate each module, and how to manage the technical aspects of the training. Trainers will also gain access to all CPE training materials and earn their CPE Trainer Certification.

Pricing

The cost to enroll in CPE Train-the-Trainer is $895, with a discounted rate of $695 for NASPA Institutional members.

Interested in training multiple staff members?

Group trainings are an excellent way to enhance your student leadership program with CPE. NASPA will come to your campus to lead an in-person, half-day training with your team. This option is ideal for getting certified as a CPE Trainer while also having access to NASPA staff who can answer questions and help ensure your program is best equipped to empower your peer educators. For more details, please email [email protected].

Register for the online CPE Train-the-Trainer course

Virtual CPE

Students can complete the Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training at their own pace with our flexible, self-paced, virtual program. The course includes engaging videos, reflective questions, discussion forums, and practice quizzes. With eight fully asynchronous modules, students can progress through the material on their own schedule. 

Pricing
The cost to enroll in the Virtual CPE is $109 per student, with a discounted rate of $89 for NASPA Institutional members.

How to Register
To register, students must create a free NASPA profile and select their institution. Once registered, they can sign up for the virtual course themselves, or their advisor can register them using the 'Register Colleague' option. For groups of 10 or more students, please e-mail [email protected] for assistance. 

2026-2027 Virtual CPE Cohort

Registration is now open for the 2026-2027 Virtual Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Training. Click here for more informaition. Access the training started began July 1 and participants must complete all course work, including passing the certification exam before June 30, 2027. 

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected] 

CPE+ Supplemental Modules

CPE+ builds on the foundation of Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training, equipping students with deeper knowledge and practical tools to strengthen their programming and better support healthier campus communities. Each specialized module delivers focused, in-depth education to amplify the impact of your peer education efforts:

  • Cannabis Prevention – Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of cannabis, its significance within the higher education context, and how peer educators can promote a culture of well-being.

  • Mental Health and Well-being – Prepares peer educators to build a campus community that prioritizes mental health and well-being.

  • Prescription Medication Misuse Prevention – Prepares peer educators to build a campus community that prioritizes responsible medication use and promotes a culture of well-being.

  • Emergency Contraception - explores the critical role peer educators play in advancing knowledge of and access to emergency contraception within the higher education community. 

Interested in the CPE+ Bundle?
Get three modules (Cannabis, Mental Health, and Prescription Misues) with the CPE Supplemental Module Package, a cost-effective option that maximizes student learning by offering comprehensive coverage of key health and well-being topics. This bundle not only saves on per-module costs but also ensures peer educators are fully prepared to address a range of critical issues on campus.

CPE+ Supplemental Module Pricing

 NASPA Institutional MemberNon-Member
Single Module $34 per student $54 per student
CPE+ Supplemental Module Package (All 3 Modules) $99 per student $159 per student

*** Pricing is based on institutional NASPA membership.

 

Register for the CPE Supplemental Module Package

CPE Classroom

Students

Students can access their CPE Classroom through their Dashboard in NASPA's Online Learning Community. Click here to watch our student login demonstration. 

Advisors/Instructors

To enroll your students in your CPE Classroom, go to the Student Registration Portal under your CPE Registrations at the bottom of the "My Events" tab in the NASPA Engagement Portal. If you don't yet have a CPE Classroom, you can register for one here. Click here to watch our registration demonstration or view our frequently asked questions. 

Looking for your CPE Training Materials? Access them in the CPE Trainers Resource Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register students for virtual CPE?

Advisors are able to register students using the “register a colleague” option. Follow these steps to use the “register a colleague” option:

  1. First, each student will need to create a free NASPA account and make sure to select their institution (it needs to match your institution for the function to work). 
  2. After they finish making their accounts and selecting their institution, you, as their advisor, will then be able to go in and use the “register a colleague” option.
  3. You can now pay for their registrations via your account.

 
Below are instructions to share with students that explain how to create an individual NASPA account:

  1. Go to https://engage.naspa.org/
  2. Scroll down and select “Don’t have an account?”
  3. Click on “Create a New Account.” See below.

What is the NASPA Community Hub and Online Learning Community?

The NASPA Community Hub, engage.NASPA.org, is where you manage your NASPA Account and Instructors will go to register students. 


The Online Learning Community, learning.NASPA.org, is where you access any of your courses, such as CPE, Train-the-Trainer, Advisor’s Academy, or the CPE Trainer Resource Hub. Quickly access your courses by selecting Dashboard once logged in.

How much is CPE?

 

Classroom Facilitated CPE Training: Each student requires a Student Workbook.

  • NASPA Institutional Member: $23 per student
  • Non-Member: $29 per student

 

CPE Virtual Training: Pricing is based on institutional NASPA membership, not individual membership.

  • NASPA Institutional Member: $89 per student
  • Non-Member: $109 per student

 

CPE+ Supplemental Modules: Pricing is based on institutional NASPA membership.

  • Single Module:
    • NASPA Institutional Member: $34 per student
    • Non-Member: $54 per student

CPE+ Supplemental Module Package (all three modules):

  • NASPA Institutional Member: $99 per student
  • Non-Member: $159 per student

 

 

 

I'm a student who wants to go through CPE but I don't have an advisor or peer education group. Can I still go through CPE?

Any student can become a Certified Peer Educator. If you do not have an advisor or a peer education group that is going through the CPE course you can go through the CPE Cohort. Learn more about the Cohort in the CPE Cohort section of this webpage. 

I'm getting a ‘Bad Request’ or ‘The Course Content is Not Listed’ message.

CPE requires a stable, steady internet connection. Privacy settings in your browser can also be a cause of interference. It is important to clear your cookies or use a private browsing mode. We’ve found the best browser is the most up to date version of Google Chrome and using Incognito. If you continue to have issues, shutdown and then restart your computer and/or Wi-Fi.

 

 

How do I register my students for Certified Peer Education (CPE)?

For Advisors who have completed the CPE Train-the-Trainer, you can register for a CPE Classroom here. After registering, manage your classroom and add students by going to your Community Hub at Engage.NASAPA.org and login. There you will click the tab My Events located on the left side and then scroll down to the bottom for the category CPE Registration. Click Register Students to take you to the student registration page. Here you can view your available seats, purchase additional workbooks, and reset student passwords. After inputting a students’ name and email, click the Save button in the top right corner. 

If you are seeking to register students for the CPE Virtual Training, more information is here. 

 

 

My online classroom is full, what should I do?

You likely need to purchase more workbooks. Each workbook purchase opens a 'seat' in your CPE Classroom.You can purcahse more workbooks directly from your CPE Classroom via engage.naspa.org. If you believe your numbers are not correct, please use the CPE Help Desk form to submit a ticket for review.

Where do I order student workbooks?

You can order student workbooks directly from the Register Students page or at this link.

Each student completing the Classroom CPE training will need a workbook.

 

 

Can I pre-purchase student registrations?

Once you have completed the CPE Train-the-Trainer and your CPE Classroom has been activated, Yes, you can purchase as many student workbooks as you'd like. Once purchased, student registration lines will become available in your CPE Classroom that you can fill as you like. 

How do I register for CPE Train-the-Trainer?

Register here. 

 

 

Where do I find the materials to facilitate the training?

The CPE Training Slidedeck is in the CPE Trainers Resource Hub. Access the CPE Trainers Resource Hub here. 

Alternatively, go to the Online Learning Community (OLC) at learning.naspa.org and login using your NASPA credentials. Under your Dashboard, select CPE Trainer Resource Hub. If you do not have access to the CPE Trainer Resource Hub, please contact us using the CPE Help Desk form or by sending an email to [email protected].

 

 

Does my CPE certification expire?

No, the CPE certification does not expire. Once a student is certified they do not need to retake the course or exam.

 

 

Does my Train the Trainer certificate expire?

You will need to complete at least one training every 2 years to keep your certificate active.

 

 

Where do I view my CPE Certificate?

Students will automatically receive their CPE certificate on completion of the course. They can view the certificate by going to their Dashboard and then selecting Transcript/Achievements.

 

 

My students are not receiving the invitation email and/or I’m not seeing my classroom?

Your class might not be activated; please give NASPA 24 hours to activate your CPE Classroom after registering. If you are still not seeing your classroom, please contact us using the CPE Help Desk form.

I can't see my student's progress

As an Advisor, you can not directly track/see individual student progress. On completion, students are presented a downloadable CPE Certificate that they can present to you as proof of completion. If you would like to request a detailed progress report, email us at [email protected].

Is there a demonstration?

Yes, click students can click here to watch our Student Login Demo. Advisors/Instructors can click here to watch our video walkthrough of how to register for a CPE Classroom, Register Students, access the CPE Trainer Resource Hub, and what students will see and how they can begin their CPE Training.

How can I get in touch with the NASPA CPE Team

Please contact us using the CPE Help Desk form or send an email to [email protected].

Learn about the Peer Education Initiatives