MEDI-CAL PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
CERTIFICATION GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND ANWERS
Medi-Cal - ✔✔A program that offers free or low-cost health coverage for eligible
California residents.
Peer Support Specialist - ✔✔An individual who uses their lived experience of recovery
from mental health or substance use challenges to support others in their recovery
journey.
Certification Preparation Guide - ✔✔A document designed to aid individuals in
preparing for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification exam.
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - ✔✔An organization that
advocates for greater inclusion of peer support in mental health and substance use
disorder programs in California.
Senate Bill 803 - ✔✔Legislation that provided an additional pathway for peer support
and workforce development in the public behavioral health system.
Department of Health Care Services - ✔✔The department responsible for uplifting the
Peer voice in its Medi-Cal programs and providing funding opportunities for Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialist certification.
CalMHSA Stakeholder Advisory Council - ✔✔A group that advocates for the
implementation of a standardized certification for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in
California.
Recovery - ✔✔The belief that individuals can regain control over their lives and reach
their full potential despite mental health or substance use challenges.
Examination Blueprint - ✔✔A detailed outline specifying the content areas and
competencies tested in the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam.
Test Anxiety - ✔✔Feelings of stress or unease that can affect a person's ability to
perform well on an exam.
Glossary - ✔✔A section in the guide containing definitions of key terms used in the
context of the certification exam.
LGBTQIA+ - ✔✔An acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual.
, 120-item multiple-choice test - ✔✔An exam format consisting of 120 questions with
multiple answer choices, used to assess candidates' competency in the Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist certification process.
2.5 hours - ✔✔The time duration provided for candidates to complete the Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist Certification Exam.
Behavioral Health Foundations - ✔✔Core principles and skills related to active listening,
empathy, self-awareness, and cultural awareness in the context of behavioral health
support.
Advocacy - ✔✔The act of supporting or promoting the rights and needs of individuals or
groups, often in the context of mental health or substance use.
Resource Linkage - ✔✔The process of connecting individuals with community services
and resources related to treatment, recovery, and wellness.
Crisis Management - ✔✔Strategies and skills used to identify and respond to behavioral
health crises effectively.
Job Analysis - ✔✔The process of defining tasks, knowledge, and skills required for
competent job performance.
Likert Scale - ✔✔A scale used to rate statements based on frequency, importance, or
agreement, typically ranging from '1 = Strongly Disagree' to '5 = Strongly Agree'.
Job Task Analysis Survey - ✔✔A survey conducted to determine critical knowledge and
job skills statements needed for a specific job role.
Active Listening - ✔✔A communication technique where the listener fully concentrates,
understands, responds, and remembers what is being said.
Motivational Interviewing - ✔✔A counseling approach that helps individuals find
motivation to make positive decisions and changes in their behavior.
Self-Disclosure - ✔✔The act of revealing personal information about oneself to others in
a controlled manner.
Resiliency - ✔✔The ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change, and keep
going in the face of adversity.
Empathy - ✔✔The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Self-Care - ✔✔Activities and practices performed to maintain and enhance physical,
mental, and emotional well-being.
CERTIFICATION GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND ANWERS
Medi-Cal - ✔✔A program that offers free or low-cost health coverage for eligible
California residents.
Peer Support Specialist - ✔✔An individual who uses their lived experience of recovery
from mental health or substance use challenges to support others in their recovery
journey.
Certification Preparation Guide - ✔✔A document designed to aid individuals in
preparing for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification exam.
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - ✔✔An organization that
advocates for greater inclusion of peer support in mental health and substance use
disorder programs in California.
Senate Bill 803 - ✔✔Legislation that provided an additional pathway for peer support
and workforce development in the public behavioral health system.
Department of Health Care Services - ✔✔The department responsible for uplifting the
Peer voice in its Medi-Cal programs and providing funding opportunities for Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialist certification.
CalMHSA Stakeholder Advisory Council - ✔✔A group that advocates for the
implementation of a standardized certification for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in
California.
Recovery - ✔✔The belief that individuals can regain control over their lives and reach
their full potential despite mental health or substance use challenges.
Examination Blueprint - ✔✔A detailed outline specifying the content areas and
competencies tested in the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam.
Test Anxiety - ✔✔Feelings of stress or unease that can affect a person's ability to
perform well on an exam.
Glossary - ✔✔A section in the guide containing definitions of key terms used in the
context of the certification exam.
LGBTQIA+ - ✔✔An acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual.
, 120-item multiple-choice test - ✔✔An exam format consisting of 120 questions with
multiple answer choices, used to assess candidates' competency in the Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist certification process.
2.5 hours - ✔✔The time duration provided for candidates to complete the Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist Certification Exam.
Behavioral Health Foundations - ✔✔Core principles and skills related to active listening,
empathy, self-awareness, and cultural awareness in the context of behavioral health
support.
Advocacy - ✔✔The act of supporting or promoting the rights and needs of individuals or
groups, often in the context of mental health or substance use.
Resource Linkage - ✔✔The process of connecting individuals with community services
and resources related to treatment, recovery, and wellness.
Crisis Management - ✔✔Strategies and skills used to identify and respond to behavioral
health crises effectively.
Job Analysis - ✔✔The process of defining tasks, knowledge, and skills required for
competent job performance.
Likert Scale - ✔✔A scale used to rate statements based on frequency, importance, or
agreement, typically ranging from '1 = Strongly Disagree' to '5 = Strongly Agree'.
Job Task Analysis Survey - ✔✔A survey conducted to determine critical knowledge and
job skills statements needed for a specific job role.
Active Listening - ✔✔A communication technique where the listener fully concentrates,
understands, responds, and remembers what is being said.
Motivational Interviewing - ✔✔A counseling approach that helps individuals find
motivation to make positive decisions and changes in their behavior.
Self-Disclosure - ✔✔The act of revealing personal information about oneself to others in
a controlled manner.
Resiliency - ✔✔The ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change, and keep
going in the face of adversity.
Empathy - ✔✔The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Self-Care - ✔✔Activities and practices performed to maintain and enhance physical,
mental, and emotional well-being.
