CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST EXAM CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TESTED
QUESTIONS FULL SOLUTION GUIDE
Certified PEER Specialist EXAM 2026/2027 Actual
Paper Questions Answers Questions and Answers
Verified Solutions Latest Update
Question:
Name three goals of Peer Recovery Support.
Answer:
Instill hope Promote positive self-identity (reduce stigma) Be a role model of strength, survival, and
growth
Question:
What is stigma in the context of recovery?
Answer:
The experience of being deeply discredited due to perceived and undesired differentness; often
linked to substance use or mental illness
Question:
What are the four main types of support offered by Peer Recovery Specialists?
Answer:
1. Emotional Support 2. Informational Support 3. Instrumental Support (tangible support) 4.
Affiliational Support (relationship-building)
Question:
What is the role of an Ally and Confidant in peer recovery?
Answer:
Cares deeply, actively listens, and is trustworthy, stable, and consistent.
,Question:
What does a Motivator and Cheerleader do?
Answer:
Believes in the person's capacity for change, and celebrates progress and efforts.
Question:
What does a Truth Teller do in a peer role?
Answer:
Offers honest feedback, identifies patterns, and avoids sugar-coating.
Question:
What is the difference between a Peer Support Specialist and a clinician or sponsor?
Answer:
Peer specialists are not therapists, case managers, doctors, or sponsors; they do not give medical
advice or religious direction.
Question:
What does "mutuality" mean in peer recovery relationships?
Answer:
A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows together in recovery.
Question:
What should be avoided when practicing empathy in peer support?
Answer:
*Not responding *Interrupting *Rushing your response *Using cliche s (e.g., "time heals all
wounds") *Faking understanding *Forcing your own interpretation
, Question:
What are some actions peer specialists should avoid to maintain a relationship of equals?
Answer:
*Need to be liked/helpful *Need for status or prestige *Need for control *Perfectionism *Need for
social relationships (overinvolvement)
Question:
What is person-centered, non-judgmental, empowering language?
Answer:
Language that avoids labeling people and focuses on strengths, not deficits.
Question:
Give an example of negative vs. positive peer support language.
Answer:
"My illness" → "My experiences" "What's wrong with me?" → "What's happened to me?" "I'm here
to help you" → "I'm here to learn with you"
Question:
What are barriers to effective listening?
Answer:
*Assuming you know what the person is thinking *Jumping to conclusions *Preparing your
response too early *Changing the subject *Automatically agreeing without understanding
Question:
What are the key principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI)?
Answer:
*Change is up to the person *Express empathy and acceptance *Avoid confrontation *Help
recognize discrepancies * "Roll with resistance" *Encourage self-efficacy
QUESTIONS FULL SOLUTION GUIDE
Certified PEER Specialist EXAM 2026/2027 Actual
Paper Questions Answers Questions and Answers
Verified Solutions Latest Update
Question:
Name three goals of Peer Recovery Support.
Answer:
Instill hope Promote positive self-identity (reduce stigma) Be a role model of strength, survival, and
growth
Question:
What is stigma in the context of recovery?
Answer:
The experience of being deeply discredited due to perceived and undesired differentness; often
linked to substance use or mental illness
Question:
What are the four main types of support offered by Peer Recovery Specialists?
Answer:
1. Emotional Support 2. Informational Support 3. Instrumental Support (tangible support) 4.
Affiliational Support (relationship-building)
Question:
What is the role of an Ally and Confidant in peer recovery?
Answer:
Cares deeply, actively listens, and is trustworthy, stable, and consistent.
,Question:
What does a Motivator and Cheerleader do?
Answer:
Believes in the person's capacity for change, and celebrates progress and efforts.
Question:
What does a Truth Teller do in a peer role?
Answer:
Offers honest feedback, identifies patterns, and avoids sugar-coating.
Question:
What is the difference between a Peer Support Specialist and a clinician or sponsor?
Answer:
Peer specialists are not therapists, case managers, doctors, or sponsors; they do not give medical
advice or religious direction.
Question:
What does "mutuality" mean in peer recovery relationships?
Answer:
A relationship of equals where each party learns and grows together in recovery.
Question:
What should be avoided when practicing empathy in peer support?
Answer:
*Not responding *Interrupting *Rushing your response *Using cliche s (e.g., "time heals all
wounds") *Faking understanding *Forcing your own interpretation
, Question:
What are some actions peer specialists should avoid to maintain a relationship of equals?
Answer:
*Need to be liked/helpful *Need for status or prestige *Need for control *Perfectionism *Need for
social relationships (overinvolvement)
Question:
What is person-centered, non-judgmental, empowering language?
Answer:
Language that avoids labeling people and focuses on strengths, not deficits.
Question:
Give an example of negative vs. positive peer support language.
Answer:
"My illness" → "My experiences" "What's wrong with me?" → "What's happened to me?" "I'm here
to help you" → "I'm here to learn with you"
Question:
What are barriers to effective listening?
Answer:
*Assuming you know what the person is thinking *Jumping to conclusions *Preparing your
response too early *Changing the subject *Automatically agreeing without understanding
Question:
What are the key principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI)?
Answer:
*Change is up to the person *Express empathy and acceptance *Avoid confrontation *Help
recognize discrepancies * "Roll with resistance" *Encourage self-efficacy
