CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification
Exam | QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
2025/2026
adult - SOLUTION -an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - SOLUTION -an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - SOLUTION -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
certificant - SOLUTION -an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by
CalMHSA
certication - SOLUTION -indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been
met
certifying entity - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -the education a Certificant receives to further develop their
professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training.
core competencies - SOLUTION -minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities
as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
county reciprocity - SOLUTION -the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by
public county behavioral health plans.
culturally appropriate services - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -the process by which an individual who is employed as a peer
on January 1, 2022, or prior to that date, are 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.
, initial certification - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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.
Medi-Cal - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -the personal connections to an individual's community that enhances
the quality of their life.
out-of-state reciprocity - SOLUTION -the recognition that an individual has received certification for
peer support from another state and they meet the qualifications specified under the policies in this
document.
peer - SOLUTION -persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental health
and/or substance use challenges.
peer support specialist - SOLUTION -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 peer support specialist
certification program (Senate Bill 803, Beall).
prevalent languages - SOLUTION -a non-English language identified by the California Department of
Health Care Services as a threshold language under the state's Medi-Cal programs.
recertification - SOLUTION -meeting the requirements set forth in this policy for renewal of one's
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification. The recertification occurs in two-year intervals.
recovery - SOLUTION -a process of change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. This process of change
recognizes cultural diversity and inclusion and honors the different routes to resilience and recovery
based on the individual and their cultural community.
resiliency - SOLUTION -an individual's capacity to successfully meet life's challenges, nurtured to have
a sense of self-determination, mastery and hope.
Exam | QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
2025/2026
adult - SOLUTION -an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - SOLUTION -an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - SOLUTION -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
certificant - SOLUTION -an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by
CalMHSA
certication - SOLUTION -indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been
met
certifying entity - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -the education a Certificant receives to further develop their
professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training.
core competencies - SOLUTION -minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities
as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
county reciprocity - SOLUTION -the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by
public county behavioral health plans.
culturally appropriate services - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -the process by which an individual who is employed as a peer
on January 1, 2022, or prior to that date, are 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.
, initial certification - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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.
Medi-Cal - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -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 - SOLUTION -the personal connections to an individual's community that enhances
the quality of their life.
out-of-state reciprocity - SOLUTION -the recognition that an individual has received certification for
peer support from another state and they meet the qualifications specified under the policies in this
document.
peer - SOLUTION -persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental health
and/or substance use challenges.
peer support specialist - SOLUTION -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 peer support specialist
certification program (Senate Bill 803, Beall).
prevalent languages - SOLUTION -a non-English language identified by the California Department of
Health Care Services as a threshold language under the state's Medi-Cal programs.
recertification - SOLUTION -meeting the requirements set forth in this policy for renewal of one's
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification. The recertification occurs in two-year intervals.
recovery - SOLUTION -a process of change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. This process of change
recognizes cultural diversity and inclusion and honors the different routes to resilience and recovery
based on the individual and their cultural community.
resiliency - SOLUTION -an individual's capacity to successfully meet life's challenges, nurtured to have
a sense of self-determination, mastery and hope.
