CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support
Certification Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
adult - Correct answer-an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - Correct answer-an individual who receives peer services
from a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialist by CalMHSA
certication - Correct answer-indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist have been met
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,certifying entity - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-the education a Certificant receives to further
develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or
specialized training.
core competencies - Correct answer-minimum knowledge base necessary to
perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
county reciprocity - Correct answer-the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, culturally appropriate services - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-California's Medicaid health care program that includes
a variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or
medical condition.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Certification Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
adult - Correct answer-an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - Correct answer-an individual who receives peer services
from a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialist by CalMHSA
certication - Correct answer-indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist have been met
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,certifying entity - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-the education a Certificant receives to further
develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or
specialized training.
core competencies - Correct answer-minimum knowledge base necessary to
perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
county reciprocity - Correct answer-the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, culturally appropriate services - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-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 - Correct answer-California's Medicaid health care program that includes
a variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or
medical condition.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
