CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Exam:
2026/2027 Comprehensive Test (100 Questions)
1. A Peer Support Specialist is meeting with a consumer who
expresses a desire to give them a gift to show appreciation. What is
the most appropriate response based on professional boundaries?
A. Accept the gift if it costs less than $25 to show you value the
relationship.
B. Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness and decline the gift.
C. Ask the consumer to instead donate the money to a local charity.
D. Tell the consumer that gifts are unnecessary because you are just
doing your job.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional boundaries and ethics require Peer Support
Specialists to avoid accepting gifts that could create a dual relationship
or the appearance of impropriety. Thanking the consumer and politely
declining upholds the integrity of the peer relationship while validating
the consumer's gratitude.
2. A consumer has been spending group sessions joking around and
not taking the process seriously. How should the Peer Support
Specialist support the consumer?
A. Tell the consumer that recovery is not a laughing matter.
B. Request to be reassigned to a different consumer.
,C. Continue to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals and
redirect gently.
D. Encourage the consumer to look into a profession as a comedian.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Peer Support Specialist should maintain focus on the
consumer's recovery goals and use gentle redirection. Humor can
sometimes be a coping mechanism, but the peer's role is to model
recovery-focused engagement without being punitive or dismissive.
3. What is the primary goal of the harm reduction model for substance
use challenges?
A. Diminished rate of judicial system exposure and incarceration.
B. Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care.
C. Enhanced community engagement and relationship building.
D. Increase in self-assessment of confidence and self-worth.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Harm reduction aims to reduce the negative consequences
of substance use, such as overdose and the spread of disease, while
improving access to healthcare and support systems without requiring
abstinence as a precondition.
4. A consumer with a history of depression tells the Peer Support
Specialist they are starting to experience symptoms of an oncoming
depressive episode. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Advise the consumer to speak to their doctor immediately.
B. Share what medications for depression worked for the Peer Support
Specialist.
C. Call the consumer's family for additional support.
,D. Ask the consumer to think about what may be causing them to feel
that way.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: While Peer Support Specialists provide support, they are not
clinical providers and cannot prescribe or recommend medications. The
appropriate action is to encourage the consumer to consult their
medical provider regarding symptoms and treatment options.
5. A peer asks their Peer Support Specialist if a specific substance use
treatment program worked for them. What is an appropriate
response?
A. Tell the peer about Narcotics Anonymous as it is the only way to stay
sober.
B. Share what worked for the Peer Support Specialist while mentioning
there are multiple pathways to recovery.
C. Ask what their substance of choice is so the Peer Support Specialist
can decide what facility would be best.
D. Advise the peer that they need to want recovery for themselves
before any program will work.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sharing lived experience is a core peer support function, but
it must be done in a way that respects the consumer's autonomy and
recognizes that recovery is individualized. Mentioning multiple
pathways honors the principle of self-determination.
6. A consumer has been discharged from treatment and is residing in a
sober living home where roommates are using drugs. What action
should the Peer Support Specialist take?
, A. Notify the landlord of the living environment about the roommates'
ongoing substance use.
B. Encourage the consumer to have conversations with each roommate
to address the issue.
C. Explore various living arrangement options with the consumer to
ensure their safety and sobriety.
D. Advise the consumer that they should just ignore the roommates'
behavior.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Peer Support Specialist's role includes supporting safety
and wellness planning. Exploring alternative living arrangements
empowers the consumer to make informed decisions about their
recovery environment without violating confidentiality or overstepping
boundaries.
7. A consumer expresses that they want to give a gift to their Peer
Support Specialist. How should the Peer Support Specialist respond?
A. Accept the consumer's present if the purchased item is less than $25.
B. Ask the consumer to instead consider donating to a relevant charity.
C. Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the
gift.
D. Tell the consumer that is unnecessary since they are just doing their
job.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response maintains professional boundaries while
validating the consumer's gratitude. The Code of Ethics emphasizes
integrity and maintaining appropriate boundaries, which includes
avoiding the acceptance of gifts.
2026/2027 Comprehensive Test (100 Questions)
1. A Peer Support Specialist is meeting with a consumer who
expresses a desire to give them a gift to show appreciation. What is
the most appropriate response based on professional boundaries?
A. Accept the gift if it costs less than $25 to show you value the
relationship.
B. Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness and decline the gift.
C. Ask the consumer to instead donate the money to a local charity.
D. Tell the consumer that gifts are unnecessary because you are just
doing your job.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional boundaries and ethics require Peer Support
Specialists to avoid accepting gifts that could create a dual relationship
or the appearance of impropriety. Thanking the consumer and politely
declining upholds the integrity of the peer relationship while validating
the consumer's gratitude.
2. A consumer has been spending group sessions joking around and
not taking the process seriously. How should the Peer Support
Specialist support the consumer?
A. Tell the consumer that recovery is not a laughing matter.
B. Request to be reassigned to a different consumer.
,C. Continue to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals and
redirect gently.
D. Encourage the consumer to look into a profession as a comedian.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Peer Support Specialist should maintain focus on the
consumer's recovery goals and use gentle redirection. Humor can
sometimes be a coping mechanism, but the peer's role is to model
recovery-focused engagement without being punitive or dismissive.
3. What is the primary goal of the harm reduction model for substance
use challenges?
A. Diminished rate of judicial system exposure and incarceration.
B. Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care.
C. Enhanced community engagement and relationship building.
D. Increase in self-assessment of confidence and self-worth.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Harm reduction aims to reduce the negative consequences
of substance use, such as overdose and the spread of disease, while
improving access to healthcare and support systems without requiring
abstinence as a precondition.
4. A consumer with a history of depression tells the Peer Support
Specialist they are starting to experience symptoms of an oncoming
depressive episode. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Advise the consumer to speak to their doctor immediately.
B. Share what medications for depression worked for the Peer Support
Specialist.
C. Call the consumer's family for additional support.
,D. Ask the consumer to think about what may be causing them to feel
that way.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: While Peer Support Specialists provide support, they are not
clinical providers and cannot prescribe or recommend medications. The
appropriate action is to encourage the consumer to consult their
medical provider regarding symptoms and treatment options.
5. A peer asks their Peer Support Specialist if a specific substance use
treatment program worked for them. What is an appropriate
response?
A. Tell the peer about Narcotics Anonymous as it is the only way to stay
sober.
B. Share what worked for the Peer Support Specialist while mentioning
there are multiple pathways to recovery.
C. Ask what their substance of choice is so the Peer Support Specialist
can decide what facility would be best.
D. Advise the peer that they need to want recovery for themselves
before any program will work.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sharing lived experience is a core peer support function, but
it must be done in a way that respects the consumer's autonomy and
recognizes that recovery is individualized. Mentioning multiple
pathways honors the principle of self-determination.
6. A consumer has been discharged from treatment and is residing in a
sober living home where roommates are using drugs. What action
should the Peer Support Specialist take?
, A. Notify the landlord of the living environment about the roommates'
ongoing substance use.
B. Encourage the consumer to have conversations with each roommate
to address the issue.
C. Explore various living arrangement options with the consumer to
ensure their safety and sobriety.
D. Advise the consumer that they should just ignore the roommates'
behavior.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Peer Support Specialist's role includes supporting safety
and wellness planning. Exploring alternative living arrangements
empowers the consumer to make informed decisions about their
recovery environment without violating confidentiality or overstepping
boundaries.
7. A consumer expresses that they want to give a gift to their Peer
Support Specialist. How should the Peer Support Specialist respond?
A. Accept the consumer's present if the purchased item is less than $25.
B. Ask the consumer to instead consider donating to a relevant charity.
C. Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the
gift.
D. Tell the consumer that is unnecessary since they are just doing their
job.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response maintains professional boundaries while
validating the consumer's gratitude. The Code of Ethics emphasizes
integrity and maintaining appropriate boundaries, which includes
avoiding the acceptance of gifts.
