Certified Peer Support Worker Exam
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
The CPSW program CAN: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Prepare CPSW's for work in the
BH system.
B. Issue a certificate upon completion of OPRE training.
The CPSW program CANNOT: - CORRECT 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.
5 Qualifications for training. - CORRECT 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.
The role of the CPSW: - CORRECT 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.
Recertification requirements. - CORRECT 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.
Employers can expect CPSW's to be familiar with: - CORRECT 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.
SAMHSA definition of recovery: - CORRECT ANSWER - A process of change through
which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self directed life and strive for full
potential.
DSM5 - CORRECT ANSWER - The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic &
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
DSM5 Definitaion of Mental Health Disorder: - CORRECT 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.
NSDUH Definitaion of SMI-Serious Mental Illness - CORRECT 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.
, Schitzophrenia - CORRECT 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.
Bipolar - CORRECT 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.
Anxiety - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Increased severity of stress beyond norm.
2. Most common type of SMI.
3. 30% adults. All areas of life are impacted
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. 2% (1 in 50). Levels
are mild-severe.
2. Engage in repetitive behaviors/hoarding
3. Obsessions that are invasive to others.
4. No pleasure from compulsions but get relief of anxiety.
5. Spend at least 1 hr a day on thoughts/rituals that interrupt life.
Depressive Disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Feeling sad /disheartened mood
2. Changes in appetite
3. Trouble sleeping/ oversleeping
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
The CPSW program CAN: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Prepare CPSW's for work in the
BH system.
B. Issue a certificate upon completion of OPRE training.
The CPSW program CANNOT: - CORRECT 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.
5 Qualifications for training. - CORRECT 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.
The role of the CPSW: - CORRECT 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.
Recertification requirements. - CORRECT 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.
Employers can expect CPSW's to be familiar with: - CORRECT 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.
SAMHSA definition of recovery: - CORRECT ANSWER - A process of change through
which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self directed life and strive for full
potential.
DSM5 - CORRECT ANSWER - The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic &
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
DSM5 Definitaion of Mental Health Disorder: - CORRECT 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.
NSDUH Definitaion of SMI-Serious Mental Illness - CORRECT 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.
, Schitzophrenia - CORRECT 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.
Bipolar - CORRECT 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.
Anxiety - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Increased severity of stress beyond norm.
2. Most common type of SMI.
3. 30% adults. All areas of life are impacted
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. 2% (1 in 50). Levels
are mild-severe.
2. Engage in repetitive behaviors/hoarding
3. Obsessions that are invasive to others.
4. No pleasure from compulsions but get relief of anxiety.
5. Spend at least 1 hr a day on thoughts/rituals that interrupt life.
Depressive Disorder - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Feeling sad /disheartened mood
2. Changes in appetite
3. Trouble sleeping/ oversleeping
