Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
CalMHSA Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
Adult - Correct answer-an individual who is 18 years of age or older.
Advocacy - Correct answer-involves providing patients and caregivers with the
necessary support and education to empower them to make informed decisions
about their healthcare journey. Advocates act as allies, ensuring that individuals
feel supported and guided, making their experience within the healthcare system as
smooth and positive as possible.
Beneficiary/Recipient - Correct answer-an individual who receives peer services
through a Medi-Cal program.
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - Correct answer-the
certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health Care Services
(DHCS) to certify Peer Support Specialists, Peer Support Specialist training
entities and Peer Support Specialist continuing education providers.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Certification - Correct answer-indicates an individual has met the certification
standards for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Certifying Entity - Correct answer-indicates CalMHSA, the organization selected
by California counties, with a plan approved by the
Department of Health Care Services, to certify Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists
and approve training providers.
Code of Ethics - Correct answer-a set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist in California adheres to around their roles and responsibilities
and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.
Consumer - Correct answer-a person who is receiving mental health and/or
substance use disorder (behavioral health services) in a public county behavioral
health delivery system.
Continued Education - Correct answer-the education a professional receives to
further develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws
and/or specialized training.
Core Competencies - Correct answer-minimum knowledge base necessary to
perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,County Reciprocity - Correct answer-the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
Culturally Appropriate Services - Correct answer-a certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist is promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns with the
cultural beliefs and practices of the person they serve.
Dual Relationship - Correct answer-a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist's non-
therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care. It includes any activity identified
as not allowed within the Code of Ethics.
Grandparenting Process - Correct answer-the process by which an individual who
is employed as a Peer on January 1, 2022, or prior to that date, is eligible to seek
certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist so long as they meet the
eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam (ended
6/30/2023).
Initial Certification - Correct answer-the process for an applicant to become
certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first time so long as they
meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.
Lived Experience - Correct answer-an individual's first-hand experience with a
mental health and/or substance use challenges, including the process of recovery
and engagement of resiliency within that experience.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Medi-Cal - Correct answer-California's Medicaid health care program that includes
a variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or
medical condition.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist - Correct answer-an individual who is 18 years
of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process
of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a
consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and
who has been granted certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist certification program.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Services - Correct answer-culturally appropriate
services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-
advocacy, development of natural supports and identification of strengths. Medi-
Cal Peer Support Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention
services, support, coaching, facilitation or education that is individualized and is
conducted by a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Natural Supports - Correct answer-the personal connections to an individual's
community that enhances the quality of their life.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
CalMHSA Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
Adult - Correct answer-an individual who is 18 years of age or older.
Advocacy - Correct answer-involves providing patients and caregivers with the
necessary support and education to empower them to make informed decisions
about their healthcare journey. Advocates act as allies, ensuring that individuals
feel supported and guided, making their experience within the healthcare system as
smooth and positive as possible.
Beneficiary/Recipient - Correct answer-an individual who receives peer services
through a Medi-Cal program.
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - Correct answer-the
certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health Care Services
(DHCS) to certify Peer Support Specialists, Peer Support Specialist training
entities and Peer Support Specialist continuing education providers.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Certification - Correct answer-indicates an individual has met the certification
standards for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Certifying Entity - Correct answer-indicates CalMHSA, the organization selected
by California counties, with a plan approved by the
Department of Health Care Services, to certify Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists
and approve training providers.
Code of Ethics - Correct answer-a set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist in California adheres to around their roles and responsibilities
and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.
Consumer - Correct answer-a person who is receiving mental health and/or
substance use disorder (behavioral health services) in a public county behavioral
health delivery system.
Continued Education - Correct answer-the education a professional receives to
further develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws
and/or specialized training.
Core Competencies - Correct answer-minimum knowledge base necessary to
perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,County Reciprocity - Correct answer-the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
Culturally Appropriate Services - Correct answer-a certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist is promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns with the
cultural beliefs and practices of the person they serve.
Dual Relationship - Correct answer-a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist's non-
therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care. It includes any activity identified
as not allowed within the Code of Ethics.
Grandparenting Process - Correct answer-the process by which an individual who
is employed as a Peer on January 1, 2022, or prior to that date, is eligible to seek
certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist so long as they meet the
eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam (ended
6/30/2023).
Initial Certification - Correct answer-the process for an applicant to become
certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first time so long as they
meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.
Lived Experience - Correct answer-an individual's first-hand experience with a
mental health and/or substance use challenges, including the process of recovery
and engagement of resiliency within that experience.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Medi-Cal - Correct answer-California's Medicaid health care program that includes
a variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or
medical condition.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist - Correct answer-an individual who is 18 years
of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process
of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a
consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and
who has been granted certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist certification program.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Services - Correct answer-culturally appropriate
services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-
advocacy, development of natural supports and identification of strengths. Medi-
Cal Peer Support Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention
services, support, coaching, facilitation or education that is individualized and is
conducted by a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Natural Supports - Correct answer-the personal connections to an individual's
community that enhances the quality of their life.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
