The National Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Certification is designed to recognize employers committed to supporting employees in recovery from, or otherwise affected by, substance use disorders (SUDs) and fostering a healthy workplace culture.
Offered by the National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute, this certification sets national standards for employers seeking to create supportive environments through workplace policies, hiring practices, benefits, and education. Organizations that achieve RFW certification demonstrate leadership in reducing stigma, promoting access to recovery resources, and strengthening employee well-being.
Employers pursuing certification undergo a structured application process, meeting criteria in four key areas: Culture, Hiring & Retention, Benefits, and Education & Awareness. Certified workplaces gain recognition as industry leaders, enhancing employee satisfaction, workforce stability, and corporate reputation.
We are currently accepting requests to apply for national certification. Employers with operations in multiple states, or employers with no active statewide RFW program, are welcome to request an invitation to receive an application. First, fill out the interest form on this page, and Institute staff will be in contact with you shortly. If you are not sure if your state has an RFW program, fill out the interest form, and we will help get you connected to the right resource, whether that be national certification, or state-level programming.
To learn more about certification standards, including the research that went into it, how consensus was built, who reviewed the standards, what the standards are, and more, click the document on this page titled “Definition and 2024 National Certification Standards”. There is also a YouTube video of a recorded webinar that gives a high-level explanation of the certification.
Thank you for your interest in National Recovery Friendly Workplace Certification – we look forward to hearing from you!
