Certified Peer Support Worker Certification
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
CPSW program can: - CORRECT ANSWER - prepare peers for employment and
volunteer roles in NM via training and certification after successful completion
CPSW program cannot: - CORRECT ANSWER - guarantee the individual skills and
competencies of the trainees or employment as a peer following the training
Qualifications for training - CORRECT ANSWER - 18 years old, high school diploma or
GED
self-attest to being in recovery from mental health disorder and/or SUD
provide proof of sustained recovery of at least three years from mental health
professional/sponsor/doctor
Role of CPSW - CORRECT ANSWER - a)provide peer clients with support in steps of
their choosing to obtain and maintain their recovery
b)provide resources at the national and local level for services such as harm reduction, mental/bx
health, housing, employment, etc.
c)continuing own education via CEUs to remain current and informed about potential barriers
and cultural aspects that clients may encounter on their journey
Recertification Requirements - CORRECT ANSWER - 40 hours of CEUs over two years
with six units being related to ethics and cultural competency
SAMHSA definition of recovery - CORRECT ANSWER - Recovery is a process of
change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and
strive to reach their full potential.
,Employer Expectations of CPSWs - CORRECT ANSWER - a)utilize lived experience to
work with peer clients in a way that promotes empathy connection and guidance
b)knowledge of stages of change/resiliency as well as local and national resources available to
clients c)display professionalism and team work
d)practice self care to maintain their own recovery
serious mental illness - CORRECT ANSWER - Occurs at any time during the last year
having a diagnosable, mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes functional
impairment that interferes with at least one major life event
mental health disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - a disturbance in the ability to cope with
or adjust to stress; behavior and function are impaired; mental illness, psychiatric disorder
Schizophrenia - CORRECT ANSWER - a group of severe disorders characterized by
disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and
actions
bipolar disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - A mood disorder in which the person alternates
between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.
Anxiety - CORRECT ANSWER - The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what
may happen, increased levels of the body's natural stress response, most common mental illness
in the US
obsessive-compulsive disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - An anxiety disorder
characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsession) and/ or actions (compulsions).
Depression - CORRECT ANSWER - A prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness,
and sadness
eating disorders - CORRECT ANSWER - extreme, harmful eating behaviors that can
cause serious illness or even death
, Mental Health First Aid - CORRECT ANSWER - help offered to a person developing a
mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis
Crisis Behavior - CORRECT ANSWER - a person suffering from a temporary breakdown
in coping skills that includes perception, decision-making ability, and problem solving ability is
experiencing crisis behavior.
The top two reasons people don't seek treatment in NM - CORRECT ANSWER - 47.5%
can't afford it, 28% think they can do it on their own
addiction - CORRECT ANSWER - brain disorder characterized by compuslive bx (can be
the form of substances but also applies to things like gambling, sex, food etc.) that continues
over a significant period of time despite harmful effects on the sufferer's personal, professional,
financial or other aspects of life
Characteristics of addiction - CORRECT ANSWER - a) failed attempts to control or cut
down
b) strong desires and sometimes physical cravings
c) larger amounts needed to satisfy cravings or feel the initial high
Co-occurring disorders - CORRECT ANSWER - Disorders that occur at the same time as
the psychiatric disorder and may be associated with the disorder.
OUD - CORRECT ANSWER - Opioid Use Disorder
Naloxone - CORRECT ANSWER - rescue drug administered via nasal cavity or injection
to reverse the effect of opioids pulling the user out of the state of unconsciousness and increase
respiration, antagonist
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
CPSW program can: - CORRECT ANSWER - prepare peers for employment and
volunteer roles in NM via training and certification after successful completion
CPSW program cannot: - CORRECT ANSWER - guarantee the individual skills and
competencies of the trainees or employment as a peer following the training
Qualifications for training - CORRECT ANSWER - 18 years old, high school diploma or
GED
self-attest to being in recovery from mental health disorder and/or SUD
provide proof of sustained recovery of at least three years from mental health
professional/sponsor/doctor
Role of CPSW - CORRECT ANSWER - a)provide peer clients with support in steps of
their choosing to obtain and maintain their recovery
b)provide resources at the national and local level for services such as harm reduction, mental/bx
health, housing, employment, etc.
c)continuing own education via CEUs to remain current and informed about potential barriers
and cultural aspects that clients may encounter on their journey
Recertification Requirements - CORRECT ANSWER - 40 hours of CEUs over two years
with six units being related to ethics and cultural competency
SAMHSA definition of recovery - CORRECT ANSWER - Recovery is a process of
change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and
strive to reach their full potential.
,Employer Expectations of CPSWs - CORRECT ANSWER - a)utilize lived experience to
work with peer clients in a way that promotes empathy connection and guidance
b)knowledge of stages of change/resiliency as well as local and national resources available to
clients c)display professionalism and team work
d)practice self care to maintain their own recovery
serious mental illness - CORRECT ANSWER - Occurs at any time during the last year
having a diagnosable, mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes functional
impairment that interferes with at least one major life event
mental health disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - a disturbance in the ability to cope with
or adjust to stress; behavior and function are impaired; mental illness, psychiatric disorder
Schizophrenia - CORRECT ANSWER - a group of severe disorders characterized by
disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and
actions
bipolar disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - A mood disorder in which the person alternates
between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.
Anxiety - CORRECT ANSWER - The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what
may happen, increased levels of the body's natural stress response, most common mental illness
in the US
obsessive-compulsive disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - An anxiety disorder
characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsession) and/ or actions (compulsions).
Depression - CORRECT ANSWER - A prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness,
and sadness
eating disorders - CORRECT ANSWER - extreme, harmful eating behaviors that can
cause serious illness or even death
, Mental Health First Aid - CORRECT ANSWER - help offered to a person developing a
mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis
Crisis Behavior - CORRECT ANSWER - a person suffering from a temporary breakdown
in coping skills that includes perception, decision-making ability, and problem solving ability is
experiencing crisis behavior.
The top two reasons people don't seek treatment in NM - CORRECT ANSWER - 47.5%
can't afford it, 28% think they can do it on their own
addiction - CORRECT ANSWER - brain disorder characterized by compuslive bx (can be
the form of substances but also applies to things like gambling, sex, food etc.) that continues
over a significant period of time despite harmful effects on the sufferer's personal, professional,
financial or other aspects of life
Characteristics of addiction - CORRECT ANSWER - a) failed attempts to control or cut
down
b) strong desires and sometimes physical cravings
c) larger amounts needed to satisfy cravings or feel the initial high
Co-occurring disorders - CORRECT ANSWER - Disorders that occur at the same time as
the psychiatric disorder and may be associated with the disorder.
OUD - CORRECT ANSWER - Opioid Use Disorder
Naloxone - CORRECT ANSWER - rescue drug administered via nasal cavity or injection
to reverse the effect of opioids pulling the user out of the state of unconsciousness and increase
respiration, antagonist
