CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT COMPLETE QUESTIONS
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Certified PEER Specialist Actual EXAM Paper
2026/2027 Questions Solutions Questions and
Answers Verified Solutions Latest Update
Question:
The CPSW program CANNOT:
Answer:
A. Certify anything other than the CPSW has completed the approved training. B. Guarantee the
CPSW a job. C. Guarantee the CPSW's job qualifications or skills.
Question:
5 Qualifications for training.
Answer:
1.Be at least 18. 2.Have a HS diploma or GED. 3.Self Identify as a person who received mental
health or substance treatment. 4. Have at least 2 years of demonstrable recovery w/ written
verification. 5.Complete the application process with OPRE.
Question:
The role of the CPSW:
Answer:
1. fundamental perspective of the "Lived Experience". 2. Provide hope and support. 3.Help client
identify a plan toward achieving their goals. 4. A link between clinicians and their clients. 5.
Ongoing assessment of clients progress. 6. Home visits to assess clients condition.
Question:
Recertification requirements.
Answer:
,1. 40 CEU'S every 2 years. (6 in ethics & 6 cultural competency). 2. Only 20 can be taken online.
(the rest in person training). 3. Each CPSW is responsible for their own CEU's.
Question:
Employers can expect CPSW's to be familiar with:
Answer:
1. Coaching and mentoring clients in their recovery. 2. Insight on stages of recovery and
identification of Resiliency and recovery strategies 3.Expertise necessary to perform professionally.
(communication skills, trauma informed & cultural competence, confidentiality, boundaries &
ethics). 4. Self care and stress management strategies.
Question:
SAMHSA definition of recovery:
Answer:
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self
directed life and strive for full potential.
Question:
DSM5
Answer:
The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Question:
DSM5 Definitaion of Mental Health Disorder:
Answer:
1. Behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern. 2.Clinically significant distress (pain or
disability). 3. Must not be an expectable response to common stressors like a death. 4. Not a result of
social deviance or conflict.
, Question:
NSDUH Definitaion of SMI-Serious Mental Illness
Answer:
1. A mental, behavioral or emotional disorder. 2. Diagnosed within the past year. 3. Meet the
diagnostic criteria in the DSM5 4. Results in serious functional Impairment. 5. Noticeably interferes
w/ major life activities.
Question:
Schitzophrenia
Answer:
1. Least common mental disorders.3-.7% 2. Delusions, hallucinations, concentration 3. Loss in
ability to initiate plans, speak, express or find pleasure. 4. Confused/tangled thinking & speech. 5.
Bizarre behavior/ abnormal movements. 6. Decline work/education.
Question:
Bipolar
Answer:
1. 1.0-1.5% US adults. 2 categories 2. BP-I -Short periods of normal between "on top of the world"
and miserable and hopeless. 3. BP-II- Seasonal shifts. At least 1 major depressive episode and 1
hyper episode within a set timeframe. Normal in between.
Question:
Anxiety
Answer:
1. Increased severity of stress beyond norm. 2. Most common type of SMI. 3. 30% adults. All areas
of life are impacted
Question:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Certified PEER Specialist Actual EXAM Paper
2026/2027 Questions Solutions Questions and
Answers Verified Solutions Latest Update
Question:
The CPSW program CANNOT:
Answer:
A. Certify anything other than the CPSW has completed the approved training. B. Guarantee the
CPSW a job. C. Guarantee the CPSW's job qualifications or skills.
Question:
5 Qualifications for training.
Answer:
1.Be at least 18. 2.Have a HS diploma or GED. 3.Self Identify as a person who received mental
health or substance treatment. 4. Have at least 2 years of demonstrable recovery w/ written
verification. 5.Complete the application process with OPRE.
Question:
The role of the CPSW:
Answer:
1. fundamental perspective of the "Lived Experience". 2. Provide hope and support. 3.Help client
identify a plan toward achieving their goals. 4. A link between clinicians and their clients. 5.
Ongoing assessment of clients progress. 6. Home visits to assess clients condition.
Question:
Recertification requirements.
Answer:
,1. 40 CEU'S every 2 years. (6 in ethics & 6 cultural competency). 2. Only 20 can be taken online.
(the rest in person training). 3. Each CPSW is responsible for their own CEU's.
Question:
Employers can expect CPSW's to be familiar with:
Answer:
1. Coaching and mentoring clients in their recovery. 2. Insight on stages of recovery and
identification of Resiliency and recovery strategies 3.Expertise necessary to perform professionally.
(communication skills, trauma informed & cultural competence, confidentiality, boundaries &
ethics). 4. Self care and stress management strategies.
Question:
SAMHSA definition of recovery:
Answer:
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self
directed life and strive for full potential.
Question:
DSM5
Answer:
The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Question:
DSM5 Definitaion of Mental Health Disorder:
Answer:
1. Behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern. 2.Clinically significant distress (pain or
disability). 3. Must not be an expectable response to common stressors like a death. 4. Not a result of
social deviance or conflict.
, Question:
NSDUH Definitaion of SMI-Serious Mental Illness
Answer:
1. A mental, behavioral or emotional disorder. 2. Diagnosed within the past year. 3. Meet the
diagnostic criteria in the DSM5 4. Results in serious functional Impairment. 5. Noticeably interferes
w/ major life activities.
Question:
Schitzophrenia
Answer:
1. Least common mental disorders.3-.7% 2. Delusions, hallucinations, concentration 3. Loss in
ability to initiate plans, speak, express or find pleasure. 4. Confused/tangled thinking & speech. 5.
Bizarre behavior/ abnormal movements. 6. Decline work/education.
Question:
Bipolar
Answer:
1. 1.0-1.5% US adults. 2 categories 2. BP-I -Short periods of normal between "on top of the world"
and miserable and hopeless. 3. BP-II- Seasonal shifts. At least 1 major depressive episode and 1
hyper episode within a set timeframe. Normal in between.
Question:
Anxiety
Answer:
1. Increased severity of stress beyond norm. 2. Most common type of SMI. 3. 30% adults. All areas
of life are impacted
Question:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD
