6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
MEDI-CAL PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
GUIDE \COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS \VERIFIED ANSWERS \LATEST UPDATE 2025-
2026
A public health insurance program in California that
Medi-Cal
provides health care services to eligible individuals.
A trained individual who shares their personal recovery
Peer Support Specialist
experiences to help others in their mental health and
substance use recovery journey.
An official recognition that an individual has met specific
Certification
qualifications and standards in a particular field.
A resource designed to help individuals prepare for an
Preparation Guide
examination or certification process.
Landmark legislation that established a framework for
Senate Bill 803
peer support and workforce expansion in California's
public behavioral health system.
The California state agency responsible for overseeing
Department of Health Care
Services Medi-Cal programs and ensuring access to health care
services.
California Mental Health Services Authority, an
CalMHSA
organization that advocates for mental health
services and peer support.
Essential skills and knowledge required for effective
Core Competencies
performance in a specific role, such as a Peer Support
Specialist.
Examination Content The specific topics and materials that will be covered in a
certification examination.
Examination Blueprint A detailed outline that describes the structure and content areas
1/36
,6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
of an examination.
Best Practices for Exam Recommended strategies and methods to effectively prepare for
Preparation an examination.
Eligibility Requirements The criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for a certification
examination.
The process of signing up to take an examination or
Registration
participate in a certification program.
2/36
,6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Rescheduling The act of changing the date or time of a scheduled examination.
Cancelling The act of withdrawing from a scheduled examination.
Missed Examinations Instances where an individual fails to attend a scheduled
examination.
Adjustments or modifications provided to individuals
Reasonable Accommodation
with disabilities to ensure equal access to
examinations.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified
Specialist Certification Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) in the State
Examination of California.
Play a key role in the prevention, early intervention,
Peer Support Specialists
treatment, and recovery process of individuals living
with mental health and substance use disorders.
Legislation that established core competencies, a Code
Senate Bill 803
of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists, and
developed statewide standards for certification
programs.
California Mental Health Selected by county public behavioral health plans as the
Services Authority certifying body for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer
(CalMHSA) Support Specialists.
Human Resources Research Began a project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to
Organization (HumRRO) examine the knowledge and job skills necessary for
certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Designed as a study aid to help you prepare for taking
Purpose of the Guide
the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification
Examination.
Familiarity with these strategies allows you to focus on
Test-taking strategies
applying your knowledge rather than on the testing
environment.
Medi-Cal Peer Support A 120-item multiple-choice test designed to measure a
Specialist certification candidate's competency in various dimensions related
exam to peer support.
Preparation time for exam Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
Essential skills and knowledge areas necessary for a
Core competencies
Peer Support Specialist, including hope, recovery,
wellness, advocacy, and more.
3/36
, 6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
A survey conducted by HumRRO to determine critical
Job task analysis survey
knowledge and job skills for Peer Support Specialists.
Survey participation 1,486 participants accessed the survey, with approximately 694
(47%) completing it.
Participants included individuals from various
Demographic composition of
participants racial/ethnic backgrounds and gender identities,
primarily speaking English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Cultural and structural Training that focuses on understanding and addressing
competence trainings cultural differences and structural barriers in service
delivery.
Trauma-informed care An approach that recognizes and responds to the impact of
trauma on individuals.
Group facilitation skills Skills necessary to effectively lead and manage group discussions
and activities.
Co-occurring disorders The presence of both mental health and substance use disorders
in an individual.
The process of resolving a dispute or conflict by
Conflict resolution
addressing the issues and finding a mutually
acceptable solution.
Guidelines that define the limits of a professional
Professional boundaries and
ethics relationship and the ethical considerations involved.
Safety and crisis planning Strategies developed to ensure safety and manage crises
effectively.
Documentation skills and The ability to accurately document information according to
standards established standards.
Confidentiality The ethical principle of keeping information private and secure.
Digital literacy The ability to effectively use digital technology and
communication tools.
4/36
MEDI-CAL PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
GUIDE \COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS \VERIFIED ANSWERS \LATEST UPDATE 2025-
2026
A public health insurance program in California that
Medi-Cal
provides health care services to eligible individuals.
A trained individual who shares their personal recovery
Peer Support Specialist
experiences to help others in their mental health and
substance use recovery journey.
An official recognition that an individual has met specific
Certification
qualifications and standards in a particular field.
A resource designed to help individuals prepare for an
Preparation Guide
examination or certification process.
Landmark legislation that established a framework for
Senate Bill 803
peer support and workforce expansion in California's
public behavioral health system.
The California state agency responsible for overseeing
Department of Health Care
Services Medi-Cal programs and ensuring access to health care
services.
California Mental Health Services Authority, an
CalMHSA
organization that advocates for mental health
services and peer support.
Essential skills and knowledge required for effective
Core Competencies
performance in a specific role, such as a Peer Support
Specialist.
Examination Content The specific topics and materials that will be covered in a
certification examination.
Examination Blueprint A detailed outline that describes the structure and content areas
1/36
,6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
of an examination.
Best Practices for Exam Recommended strategies and methods to effectively prepare for
Preparation an examination.
Eligibility Requirements The criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for a certification
examination.
The process of signing up to take an examination or
Registration
participate in a certification program.
2/36
,6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Rescheduling The act of changing the date or time of a scheduled examination.
Cancelling The act of withdrawing from a scheduled examination.
Missed Examinations Instances where an individual fails to attend a scheduled
examination.
Adjustments or modifications provided to individuals
Reasonable Accommodation
with disabilities to ensure equal access to
examinations.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified
Specialist Certification Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) in the State
Examination of California.
Play a key role in the prevention, early intervention,
Peer Support Specialists
treatment, and recovery process of individuals living
with mental health and substance use disorders.
Legislation that established core competencies, a Code
Senate Bill 803
of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists, and
developed statewide standards for certification
programs.
California Mental Health Selected by county public behavioral health plans as the
Services Authority certifying body for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer
(CalMHSA) Support Specialists.
Human Resources Research Began a project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to
Organization (HumRRO) examine the knowledge and job skills necessary for
certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Designed as a study aid to help you prepare for taking
Purpose of the Guide
the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification
Examination.
Familiarity with these strategies allows you to focus on
Test-taking strategies
applying your knowledge rather than on the testing
environment.
Medi-Cal Peer Support A 120-item multiple-choice test designed to measure a
Specialist certification candidate's competency in various dimensions related
exam to peer support.
Preparation time for exam Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
Essential skills and knowledge areas necessary for a
Core competencies
Peer Support Specialist, including hope, recovery,
wellness, advocacy, and more.
3/36
, 6/20/25, 8:48 AM Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
A survey conducted by HumRRO to determine critical
Job task analysis survey
knowledge and job skills for Peer Support Specialists.
Survey participation 1,486 participants accessed the survey, with approximately 694
(47%) completing it.
Participants included individuals from various
Demographic composition of
participants racial/ethnic backgrounds and gender identities,
primarily speaking English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Cultural and structural Training that focuses on understanding and addressing
competence trainings cultural differences and structural barriers in service
delivery.
Trauma-informed care An approach that recognizes and responds to the impact of
trauma on individuals.
Group facilitation skills Skills necessary to effectively lead and manage group discussions
and activities.
Co-occurring disorders The presence of both mental health and substance use disorders
in an individual.
The process of resolving a dispute or conflict by
Conflict resolution
addressing the issues and finding a mutually
acceptable solution.
Guidelines that define the limits of a professional
Professional boundaries and
ethics relationship and the ethical considerations involved.
Safety and crisis planning Strategies developed to ensure safety and manage crises
effectively.
Documentation skills and The ability to accurately document information according to
standards established standards.
Confidentiality The ethical principle of keeping information private and secure.
Digital literacy The ability to effectively use digital technology and
communication tools.
4/36
