CALMHSA Peer Support Certification
Questions and Correct Answers
(2025/2026)
What ,is ,advocacy? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Action ,in ,favor ,of ,a ,cause ,or ,others
What ,is ,empowerment? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Becoming ,stronger ,and ,more
,confident ,in ,controlling ,one's ,life
What ,is ,stigma? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-A ,mark ,of ,disgrace ,associated ,with ,a
,particular ,circumstance, ,quality, ,or ,person
What ,is ,the ,importance ,of ,documentation ,in ,a ,PSS ,role? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Proof ,of ,encounters ,and ,external ,resources ,for ,elevated ,service ,needs
What ,are ,the ,elements ,of ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Date, ,duration,
,names ,of ,individuals ,involved, ,brief ,explanation ,of ,peer ,support ,provided
What ,is ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Procedure ,where ,clients
,and ,professionals ,collaborate ,to ,record ,evaluations, ,treatment ,plans, ,and ,progress
,notes
What ,is ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Client-centered ,therapy
,paradigm ,that ,involves ,client ,participation ,in ,decision-making.
What ,is ,the ,purpose ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-To
,ensure ,that ,the ,client's ,individual ,requirements ,and ,goals ,are ,met ,during ,treatment.
Is ,collaborative ,documentation ,an ,evidenced ,based ,practice? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
No, ,it ,is ,merely ,a ,method ,for ,accomplishing ,service ,documentation.
How ,is ,the ,peer ,involved ,in ,the ,documentation ,process? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Documentation ,is ,completed ,with ,them ,in ,attendance ,and ,their ,comments ,are
,included ,in ,case ,and ,progress ,notes.
What ,is ,the ,concern ,of ,certified ,peer ,specialists ,when ,it ,comes ,to ,client ,notes? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Worrying ,about ,private ,material ,being ,recorded.
What ,is ,the ,responsibility ,of ,trained ,peer ,specialists ,when ,it ,comes ,to ,protecting ,their
,peer's ,privacy? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Ensuring ,privacy ,and ,confidentiality.
,What ,is ,the ,requirement ,for ,trained ,peer ,specialists ,to ,inform ,their ,peers ,about? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Employer ,policy, ,including ,specific ,information.
What ,should ,a ,certified ,peer ,specialist ,do ,when ,a ,situation ,arises ,where ,private
,information ,needs ,to ,be ,recorded? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Let ,the ,peer ,know ,and
,discuss ,how ,they ,want ,the ,note ,to ,reflect ,their ,experience.
What ,should ,a ,certified ,peer ,specialist ,ensure ,when ,documenting ,their ,notes? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Person-centered, ,strengths-based, ,and ,recovery-oriented.
Why ,is ,documentation ,important? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,reflects ,the ,client ,service
,and ,journey.
What ,are ,the ,areas ,that ,effective ,progress ,notes ,should ,cover? ,- ,CORRECT
,ANSWER-Assessment, ,treatment ,planning, ,interactions, ,and ,services ,progress.
Who ,are ,progress ,notes ,useful ,to? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Patient, ,clinician, ,and
,others ,involved ,in ,the ,patient's ,care.
What ,is ,the ,advice ,for ,certified ,peer ,experts ,when ,it ,comes ,to ,program ,requirements?
,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Meet ,with ,their ,manager ,right ,away ,to ,go ,over ,all ,program
,requirements.
What ,should ,effective ,progress ,notes ,be? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Readable,
,objective, ,and ,explain ,the ,service ,necessity.
What ,should ,trained ,peer ,experts ,do ,when ,their ,notes ,contradict ,the ,standards
,established ,by ,employers ,or ,funding ,agencies? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Talk ,with ,their
,managers ,about ,how ,to ,strike ,a ,balance ,between ,the ,two ,demands.
What ,might ,be ,available ,to ,trained ,peer ,experts ,when ,their ,notes ,contradict ,the
,standards ,established ,by ,employers ,or ,funding ,agencies? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Additional ,training.
What ,should ,you ,remember ,about ,your ,progress ,notes? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Client ,may ,ask ,to ,see ,them, ,subject ,to ,subpoena, ,may ,need ,to ,defend ,actions ,before
,payor ,source.
Why ,does ,documentation ,matter? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,is ,legal ,and ,supports
,reimbursement, ,should ,have ,a ,readable ,storyline.
What ,are ,the ,benefits ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Improved ,outcomes, ,shared ,decision ,making, ,increased ,satisfaction, ,compliance,
,productivity, ,and ,quality ,assurance.
,What ,is ,the ,final ,note ,about ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,is ,legal ,and
,must ,adhere ,to ,professional ,standards, ,supports ,reimbursement ,for ,PSS ,services.
What ,is ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Client-involved ,decision-
making ,process ,in ,treatment.
What ,are ,the ,benefits ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Enhances ,mutual ,understanding, ,rapport, ,and ,commitment; ,reduces ,no-shows ,and
,increases ,medication ,adherence; ,clinically ,efficient; ,increases ,clinical ,capacity.
What ,are ,the ,basic ,elements ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Establishing ,treatment ,objectives ,with ,the ,client; ,reviewing ,and ,revising
,documentation ,with ,the ,client.
What ,does ,collaborative ,documentation ,allow ,for? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Continuous
,monitoring ,and ,adjustments ,to ,interventions; ,reviewing ,documentation ,with ,the ,client
,at ,the ,end ,of ,every ,session.
What ,is ,the ,Seven ,Percent ,Rule? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Approximately ,7% ,of
,community ,mental ,health ,clients ,are ,not ,appropriate ,for ,Collaborative ,Documentation
,due ,to ,factors ,like ,severe ,paranoia ,or ,inability ,to ,establish ,rapport.
What ,should ,practitioners ,consider ,before ,implementing ,Collaborative
,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Their ,comfort ,level; ,starting ,with ,shared
,treatment ,objectives.
What ,is ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Collaborating ,with
,clients ,to ,document ,session ,objectives ,and ,progress
What ,are ,some ,benefits ,of ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Enhancing ,understanding ,of ,session ,progress, ,improving ,client ,engagement ,and
,support ,in ,decision-making
What ,are ,some ,obstacles ,clients ,may ,face ,with ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Feeling ,like ,it ,takes ,away ,from ,therapy ,time, ,not ,seeing ,its
,relevance ,to ,their ,care
How ,can ,practitioners ,address ,client ,concerns ,with ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Reviewing ,benefits, ,such ,as ,enhancing ,understanding ,of
,session ,progress
What ,principles ,can ,practitioners ,apply ,when ,clients ,disagree ,with ,their ,observations?
,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Agree ,to ,disagree, ,be ,transparent, ,utilize ,partial
,documentation ,when ,appropriate
, What ,did ,the ,Los ,Angeles ,County ,DMH's ,pilot ,program ,find ,about ,Collaborative
,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,can ,improve ,client ,engagement ,and
,support ,in ,decision-making ,in ,urgent ,care ,settings
How ,was ,Collaborative ,Documentation ,observed ,to ,be ,efficient ,in ,the ,Urgent ,Care
,environment? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Handwritten ,on ,a ,pad ,of ,paper ,and ,later
,rewritten ,in ,the ,electronic ,health ,record
What ,was ,the ,reported ,response ,of ,Valor ,Program/Homeless ,Veterans ,to
,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Positive ,client ,responses,
,leading ,to ,a ,greater ,sense ,of ,trust ,and ,empowerment
What ,was ,the ,reported ,response ,of ,Full ,Service ,Partnership ,Programs ,to
,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Positive ,response ,of ,field-
based ,clients, ,but ,difficult ,due ,to ,unpredictable ,environment
What ,was ,the ,reported ,challenge ,with ,office-based ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Children's ,impatience ,and ,inattention
What ,was ,a ,common ,challenge ,reported ,with ,adults ,and ,Collaborative
,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Client's ,inability ,to ,see ,the ,computer ,screen
,while ,documenting ,collaboratively
What ,is ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Process ,of
,practitioners ,and ,clients ,working ,together ,to ,document ,assessments, ,treatment ,plans,
,and ,progress ,notes.
What ,is ,the ,7% ,rule? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Only ,7% ,of ,clients ,in ,community ,mental
,health ,may ,not ,be ,suitable ,for ,Collaborative ,Documentation.
How ,can ,practitioners ,adapt ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-In
,their ,own ,way, ,gradually ,using ,it ,with ,selected ,clients.
What ,are ,some ,challenges ,in ,using ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT
,ANSWER-Client ,hesitancy, ,addressing ,common ,client ,concerns, ,and ,overcoming ,the
,learning ,curve.
What ,settings ,have ,had ,success ,with ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT
,ANSWER-Urgent ,care, ,Valor ,program/homeless ,veterans, ,full-service ,partnership
,programs ,(field-based), ,and ,office-based ,settings ,with ,adults, ,families, ,and ,children.
What ,is ,the ,importance ,of ,maintaining ,professional ,standards ,and ,boundaries? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-To ,aid ,in ,own ,healing ,and ,best ,serve ,clients
What ,is ,the ,role ,of ,a ,Peer ,Support ,Specialist? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-To ,offer
,discreet ,and ,anonymous ,services ,and ,crisis ,counseling
Questions and Correct Answers
(2025/2026)
What ,is ,advocacy? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Action ,in ,favor ,of ,a ,cause ,or ,others
What ,is ,empowerment? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Becoming ,stronger ,and ,more
,confident ,in ,controlling ,one's ,life
What ,is ,stigma? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-A ,mark ,of ,disgrace ,associated ,with ,a
,particular ,circumstance, ,quality, ,or ,person
What ,is ,the ,importance ,of ,documentation ,in ,a ,PSS ,role? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Proof ,of ,encounters ,and ,external ,resources ,for ,elevated ,service ,needs
What ,are ,the ,elements ,of ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Date, ,duration,
,names ,of ,individuals ,involved, ,brief ,explanation ,of ,peer ,support ,provided
What ,is ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Procedure ,where ,clients
,and ,professionals ,collaborate ,to ,record ,evaluations, ,treatment ,plans, ,and ,progress
,notes
What ,is ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Client-centered ,therapy
,paradigm ,that ,involves ,client ,participation ,in ,decision-making.
What ,is ,the ,purpose ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-To
,ensure ,that ,the ,client's ,individual ,requirements ,and ,goals ,are ,met ,during ,treatment.
Is ,collaborative ,documentation ,an ,evidenced ,based ,practice? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
No, ,it ,is ,merely ,a ,method ,for ,accomplishing ,service ,documentation.
How ,is ,the ,peer ,involved ,in ,the ,documentation ,process? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Documentation ,is ,completed ,with ,them ,in ,attendance ,and ,their ,comments ,are
,included ,in ,case ,and ,progress ,notes.
What ,is ,the ,concern ,of ,certified ,peer ,specialists ,when ,it ,comes ,to ,client ,notes? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Worrying ,about ,private ,material ,being ,recorded.
What ,is ,the ,responsibility ,of ,trained ,peer ,specialists ,when ,it ,comes ,to ,protecting ,their
,peer's ,privacy? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Ensuring ,privacy ,and ,confidentiality.
,What ,is ,the ,requirement ,for ,trained ,peer ,specialists ,to ,inform ,their ,peers ,about? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Employer ,policy, ,including ,specific ,information.
What ,should ,a ,certified ,peer ,specialist ,do ,when ,a ,situation ,arises ,where ,private
,information ,needs ,to ,be ,recorded? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Let ,the ,peer ,know ,and
,discuss ,how ,they ,want ,the ,note ,to ,reflect ,their ,experience.
What ,should ,a ,certified ,peer ,specialist ,ensure ,when ,documenting ,their ,notes? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Person-centered, ,strengths-based, ,and ,recovery-oriented.
Why ,is ,documentation ,important? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,reflects ,the ,client ,service
,and ,journey.
What ,are ,the ,areas ,that ,effective ,progress ,notes ,should ,cover? ,- ,CORRECT
,ANSWER-Assessment, ,treatment ,planning, ,interactions, ,and ,services ,progress.
Who ,are ,progress ,notes ,useful ,to? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Patient, ,clinician, ,and
,others ,involved ,in ,the ,patient's ,care.
What ,is ,the ,advice ,for ,certified ,peer ,experts ,when ,it ,comes ,to ,program ,requirements?
,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Meet ,with ,their ,manager ,right ,away ,to ,go ,over ,all ,program
,requirements.
What ,should ,effective ,progress ,notes ,be? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Readable,
,objective, ,and ,explain ,the ,service ,necessity.
What ,should ,trained ,peer ,experts ,do ,when ,their ,notes ,contradict ,the ,standards
,established ,by ,employers ,or ,funding ,agencies? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Talk ,with ,their
,managers ,about ,how ,to ,strike ,a ,balance ,between ,the ,two ,demands.
What ,might ,be ,available ,to ,trained ,peer ,experts ,when ,their ,notes ,contradict ,the
,standards ,established ,by ,employers ,or ,funding ,agencies? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Additional ,training.
What ,should ,you ,remember ,about ,your ,progress ,notes? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Client ,may ,ask ,to ,see ,them, ,subject ,to ,subpoena, ,may ,need ,to ,defend ,actions ,before
,payor ,source.
Why ,does ,documentation ,matter? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,is ,legal ,and ,supports
,reimbursement, ,should ,have ,a ,readable ,storyline.
What ,are ,the ,benefits ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Improved ,outcomes, ,shared ,decision ,making, ,increased ,satisfaction, ,compliance,
,productivity, ,and ,quality ,assurance.
,What ,is ,the ,final ,note ,about ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,is ,legal ,and
,must ,adhere ,to ,professional ,standards, ,supports ,reimbursement ,for ,PSS ,services.
What ,is ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Client-involved ,decision-
making ,process ,in ,treatment.
What ,are ,the ,benefits ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Enhances ,mutual ,understanding, ,rapport, ,and ,commitment; ,reduces ,no-shows ,and
,increases ,medication ,adherence; ,clinically ,efficient; ,increases ,clinical ,capacity.
What ,are ,the ,basic ,elements ,of ,collaborative ,documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Establishing ,treatment ,objectives ,with ,the ,client; ,reviewing ,and ,revising
,documentation ,with ,the ,client.
What ,does ,collaborative ,documentation ,allow ,for? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Continuous
,monitoring ,and ,adjustments ,to ,interventions; ,reviewing ,documentation ,with ,the ,client
,at ,the ,end ,of ,every ,session.
What ,is ,the ,Seven ,Percent ,Rule? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Approximately ,7% ,of
,community ,mental ,health ,clients ,are ,not ,appropriate ,for ,Collaborative ,Documentation
,due ,to ,factors ,like ,severe ,paranoia ,or ,inability ,to ,establish ,rapport.
What ,should ,practitioners ,consider ,before ,implementing ,Collaborative
,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Their ,comfort ,level; ,starting ,with ,shared
,treatment ,objectives.
What ,is ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Collaborating ,with
,clients ,to ,document ,session ,objectives ,and ,progress
What ,are ,some ,benefits ,of ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-
Enhancing ,understanding ,of ,session ,progress, ,improving ,client ,engagement ,and
,support ,in ,decision-making
What ,are ,some ,obstacles ,clients ,may ,face ,with ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Feeling ,like ,it ,takes ,away ,from ,therapy ,time, ,not ,seeing ,its
,relevance ,to ,their ,care
How ,can ,practitioners ,address ,client ,concerns ,with ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Reviewing ,benefits, ,such ,as ,enhancing ,understanding ,of
,session ,progress
What ,principles ,can ,practitioners ,apply ,when ,clients ,disagree ,with ,their ,observations?
,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Agree ,to ,disagree, ,be ,transparent, ,utilize ,partial
,documentation ,when ,appropriate
, What ,did ,the ,Los ,Angeles ,County ,DMH's ,pilot ,program ,find ,about ,Collaborative
,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-It ,can ,improve ,client ,engagement ,and
,support ,in ,decision-making ,in ,urgent ,care ,settings
How ,was ,Collaborative ,Documentation ,observed ,to ,be ,efficient ,in ,the ,Urgent ,Care
,environment? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Handwritten ,on ,a ,pad ,of ,paper ,and ,later
,rewritten ,in ,the ,electronic ,health ,record
What ,was ,the ,reported ,response ,of ,Valor ,Program/Homeless ,Veterans ,to
,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Positive ,client ,responses,
,leading ,to ,a ,greater ,sense ,of ,trust ,and ,empowerment
What ,was ,the ,reported ,response ,of ,Full ,Service ,Partnership ,Programs ,to
,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Positive ,response ,of ,field-
based ,clients, ,but ,difficult ,due ,to ,unpredictable ,environment
What ,was ,the ,reported ,challenge ,with ,office-based ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-Children's ,impatience ,and ,inattention
What ,was ,a ,common ,challenge ,reported ,with ,adults ,and ,Collaborative
,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Client's ,inability ,to ,see ,the ,computer ,screen
,while ,documenting ,collaboratively
What ,is ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Process ,of
,practitioners ,and ,clients ,working ,together ,to ,document ,assessments, ,treatment ,plans,
,and ,progress ,notes.
What ,is ,the ,7% ,rule? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-Only ,7% ,of ,clients ,in ,community ,mental
,health ,may ,not ,be ,suitable ,for ,Collaborative ,Documentation.
How ,can ,practitioners ,adapt ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-In
,their ,own ,way, ,gradually ,using ,it ,with ,selected ,clients.
What ,are ,some ,challenges ,in ,using ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT
,ANSWER-Client ,hesitancy, ,addressing ,common ,client ,concerns, ,and ,overcoming ,the
,learning ,curve.
What ,settings ,have ,had ,success ,with ,Collaborative ,Documentation? ,- ,CORRECT
,ANSWER-Urgent ,care, ,Valor ,program/homeless ,veterans, ,full-service ,partnership
,programs ,(field-based), ,and ,office-based ,settings ,with ,adults, ,families, ,and ,children.
What ,is ,the ,importance ,of ,maintaining ,professional ,standards ,and ,boundaries? ,-
,CORRECT ANSWER-To ,aid ,in ,own ,healing ,and ,best ,serve ,clients
What ,is ,the ,role ,of ,a ,Peer ,Support ,Specialist? ,- ,CORRECT ANSWER-To ,offer
,discreet ,and ,anonymous ,services ,and ,crisis ,counseling
