Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam
150 Questions & Answers | Recovery,
Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational
Interviewing 2026/2027
Questions 1–150
Question 1
1. What is the minimum age requirement to become a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist in California?
A) 16 years of age
B) 18 years of age
C) 21 years of age
D) 25 years of age
Answer
Answer B: 18 years of age
Rationale
Under California law and CalMHSA certification requirements, an individual must be at least 18 years or
older to qualify.
Question 2
2. Which organization is the certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health
Care Services (DHCS) to certify peer support specialists?
A) SAMHSA
B) California Board of Behavioral Sciences
C) California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
D) National Association of Peer Supporters
,Answer
Answer C: California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
Rationale
CalMHSA is the organization approved by DHCS to certify peer support specialists, training entities,
and continuing education providers.
Question 3
3. How often must a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist renew their certification?
A) Annually
B) Every 18 months
C) Every two years
D) Every three years
Answer
Answer C: Every two years
Rationale
Recertification occurs in two-year intervals, requiring certified specialists to meet ongoing
requirements for renewal.
Question 4
4. What is the primary purpose of documentation in peer support services?
A) To satisfy billing requirements only
B) To track client progress, ensure continuity of care, and meet Medi-Cal requirements
C) To provide evidence for legal proceedings
D) To share client information with other agencies
Answer
,Answer B: To track client progress, ensure continuity of care, and meet Medi-Cal requirements
Rationale
Documentation serves multiple purposes, including tracking progress, continuity of care, meeting
Medi-Cal requirements, and supporting quality improvement.
Question 5
5. A consumer offers a Peer Support Specialist a gift to show appreciation. What is the
appropriate response?
A) Accept the gift graciously as it strengthens the therapeutic relationship
B) Accept the gift only if it is worth less than $10
C) Appreciate the thoughtfulness but decline the gift
D) Accept the gift and report it
Answer
Answer C: Appreciate the thoughtfulness but decline the gift
Rationale
Peer Support Specialists must maintain professional boundaries by declining gifts from consumers.
Question 6
6. What is the primary assumption of peer recovery support?
A) That recovery is only possible with professional treatment
B) That everyone is capable of recovery, wellness, and fulfilling their dreams
C) That medication is essential for recovery
D) That recovery requires a sponsor
Answer
Answer B: That everyone is capable of recovery, wellness, and fulfilling their dreams
, Rationale
Peer recovery support is founded on the belief that all individuals are capable of recovery and
achieving their goals.
Question 7
7. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main types of support offered by Peer
Recovery Specialists?
A) Emotional Support
B) Informational Support
C) Clinical Support
D) Affiliational Support (relationship-building)
Answer
Answer C: Clinical Support
Rationale
The four types are emotional, informational, instrumental (tangible), and affiliational support. Clinical
support is not a peer role.
Question 8
8. What does “mutuality” mean in peer recovery relationships?
A) The peer specialist is always the leader
B) A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows together in recovery
C) The consumer must follow the peer specialist’s advice
D) The relationship is one-sided
Answer
Answer B: A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows together in recovery
Rationale
150 Questions & Answers | Recovery,
Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational
Interviewing 2026/2027
Questions 1–150
Question 1
1. What is the minimum age requirement to become a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist in California?
A) 16 years of age
B) 18 years of age
C) 21 years of age
D) 25 years of age
Answer
Answer B: 18 years of age
Rationale
Under California law and CalMHSA certification requirements, an individual must be at least 18 years or
older to qualify.
Question 2
2. Which organization is the certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health
Care Services (DHCS) to certify peer support specialists?
A) SAMHSA
B) California Board of Behavioral Sciences
C) California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
D) National Association of Peer Supporters
,Answer
Answer C: California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
Rationale
CalMHSA is the organization approved by DHCS to certify peer support specialists, training entities,
and continuing education providers.
Question 3
3. How often must a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist renew their certification?
A) Annually
B) Every 18 months
C) Every two years
D) Every three years
Answer
Answer C: Every two years
Rationale
Recertification occurs in two-year intervals, requiring certified specialists to meet ongoing
requirements for renewal.
Question 4
4. What is the primary purpose of documentation in peer support services?
A) To satisfy billing requirements only
B) To track client progress, ensure continuity of care, and meet Medi-Cal requirements
C) To provide evidence for legal proceedings
D) To share client information with other agencies
Answer
,Answer B: To track client progress, ensure continuity of care, and meet Medi-Cal requirements
Rationale
Documentation serves multiple purposes, including tracking progress, continuity of care, meeting
Medi-Cal requirements, and supporting quality improvement.
Question 5
5. A consumer offers a Peer Support Specialist a gift to show appreciation. What is the
appropriate response?
A) Accept the gift graciously as it strengthens the therapeutic relationship
B) Accept the gift only if it is worth less than $10
C) Appreciate the thoughtfulness but decline the gift
D) Accept the gift and report it
Answer
Answer C: Appreciate the thoughtfulness but decline the gift
Rationale
Peer Support Specialists must maintain professional boundaries by declining gifts from consumers.
Question 6
6. What is the primary assumption of peer recovery support?
A) That recovery is only possible with professional treatment
B) That everyone is capable of recovery, wellness, and fulfilling their dreams
C) That medication is essential for recovery
D) That recovery requires a sponsor
Answer
Answer B: That everyone is capable of recovery, wellness, and fulfilling their dreams
, Rationale
Peer recovery support is founded on the belief that all individuals are capable of recovery and
achieving their goals.
Question 7
7. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main types of support offered by Peer
Recovery Specialists?
A) Emotional Support
B) Informational Support
C) Clinical Support
D) Affiliational Support (relationship-building)
Answer
Answer C: Clinical Support
Rationale
The four types are emotional, informational, instrumental (tangible), and affiliational support. Clinical
support is not a peer role.
Question 8
8. What does “mutuality” mean in peer recovery relationships?
A) The peer specialist is always the leader
B) A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows together in recovery
C) The consumer must follow the peer specialist’s advice
D) The relationship is one-sided
Answer
Answer B: A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows together in recovery
Rationale
