Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
Question 1
A consumer reports feeling lonely and asks the Peer Support Specialist (PSP) for
connections in the community. How would the Peer Support Specialist assist the
consumer?
A. Give the PSP's view about the strengths of being on their own to the consumer.
B. Share the PSP's story about meeting new people with the consumer.
C. Allow the consumer to hang out with the PSP's friends over the weekend.
Correct Answer
B. Share the PSP's story about meeting new people with the consumer.
Key: B
KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
KSA: 6.1. Use Peer Support practices to increase social networks, deepen social
relationships and cultivate a meaningful role for individuals.
Rationale: Sharing their story is correct because according to Category III of the
Core Competencies, Peer Supporters can provide support through their personal
stories.
Page 1 of 119
,Question 2
A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with the requirements of their probation
officer and service providers. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer
with navigating the expectations?
A. Offer to set up a meeting to speak with the providers on behalf of the consumer.
B. Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their viewpoint.
C. Encourage the consumer to use a calendar to manage their appointments.
D. Develop a plan with the consumer on how they could manage multiple tasks.
Correct Answer
B. Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their
viewpoint.
Key: B
KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
KSA: 6.4. Serve as a liaison for collaboration with individuals, agency staff, family,
friends, community partners and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., politicians,
coalitions, and special interest groups).
Rationale: This option encourages supporting the consumer to self-advocate for
their needs and wants with their care team.
Page 2 of 119
,Question 3
A consumer has chosen to put off mental health care until they are ready to give up
their intravenous substance use. How can the Peer Support Specialist respond in a
way that promotes harm reduction?
A. Encourage the consumer to attend support groups for complete abstinence from
substances.
B. Share a list of organizations that provide clean needles and syringes to individuals
who use substances.
C. Create a plan with the consumer that addresses their mental health issues instead
of their substance use.
Correct Answer
B. Share a list of organizations that provide clean needles and syringes to
individuals who use substances.
Key: B KSA Dimension: 4. Recovery Support
KSA: 4.3. Knowledge of traditional substance use services and harm reduction
models.
Rationale: Sharing a list of organizations differentiates itself from the distractors
because it is the only one that speaks to the harm reduction approach. The peer has
expressed their reluctance to quit and the belief that they must give up their use is
holding them back from other healthy treatments. As SAMHSA explains, supplies of
clean needles and syringes are a component of harm reduction, which can keep the
consumer safe until they are ready to commit to abstinence and shows that their
work with the Peer Support Specialist does not require complete sobriety.
Page 3 of 119
, Question 4
A peer, who has been to multiple substance use treatment facilities, asks their Peer
Support Specialist if a specific program worked for them. What is an appropriate
response for the Peer Support Specialist to give?
A. Tell the peer about Narcotics Anonymous as it is the only way to stay sober in their
wellness journey.
B. Share what worked for the Peer Support Specialist while mentioning there are
multiple pathways to recovery.
C. Ask what their substance of choice is so the Peer Support Specialist can decide
what facility would be best.
Correct Answer
B. Share what worked for the Peer Support Specialist while mentioning there are
multiple pathways to recovery.
Key: B
KSA Dimension: 2. Behavioral Health Foundations
KSA: 2.2 Knowledge of substance use challenges and available treatment options
across the lifespan.
Rationale: Sharing lived experience and mentioning there are multiple paths to
recovery is correct because the Peer Support Specialist is sharing their personal
experience and not making a choice for the peer.
Page 4 of 119
Questions and Answers
Question 1
A consumer reports feeling lonely and asks the Peer Support Specialist (PSP) for
connections in the community. How would the Peer Support Specialist assist the
consumer?
A. Give the PSP's view about the strengths of being on their own to the consumer.
B. Share the PSP's story about meeting new people with the consumer.
C. Allow the consumer to hang out with the PSP's friends over the weekend.
Correct Answer
B. Share the PSP's story about meeting new people with the consumer.
Key: B
KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
KSA: 6.1. Use Peer Support practices to increase social networks, deepen social
relationships and cultivate a meaningful role for individuals.
Rationale: Sharing their story is correct because according to Category III of the
Core Competencies, Peer Supporters can provide support through their personal
stories.
Page 1 of 119
,Question 2
A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with the requirements of their probation
officer and service providers. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer
with navigating the expectations?
A. Offer to set up a meeting to speak with the providers on behalf of the consumer.
B. Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their viewpoint.
C. Encourage the consumer to use a calendar to manage their appointments.
D. Develop a plan with the consumer on how they could manage multiple tasks.
Correct Answer
B. Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their
viewpoint.
Key: B
KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
KSA: 6.4. Serve as a liaison for collaboration with individuals, agency staff, family,
friends, community partners and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., politicians,
coalitions, and special interest groups).
Rationale: This option encourages supporting the consumer to self-advocate for
their needs and wants with their care team.
Page 2 of 119
,Question 3
A consumer has chosen to put off mental health care until they are ready to give up
their intravenous substance use. How can the Peer Support Specialist respond in a
way that promotes harm reduction?
A. Encourage the consumer to attend support groups for complete abstinence from
substances.
B. Share a list of organizations that provide clean needles and syringes to individuals
who use substances.
C. Create a plan with the consumer that addresses their mental health issues instead
of their substance use.
Correct Answer
B. Share a list of organizations that provide clean needles and syringes to
individuals who use substances.
Key: B KSA Dimension: 4. Recovery Support
KSA: 4.3. Knowledge of traditional substance use services and harm reduction
models.
Rationale: Sharing a list of organizations differentiates itself from the distractors
because it is the only one that speaks to the harm reduction approach. The peer has
expressed their reluctance to quit and the belief that they must give up their use is
holding them back from other healthy treatments. As SAMHSA explains, supplies of
clean needles and syringes are a component of harm reduction, which can keep the
consumer safe until they are ready to commit to abstinence and shows that their
work with the Peer Support Specialist does not require complete sobriety.
Page 3 of 119
, Question 4
A peer, who has been to multiple substance use treatment facilities, asks their Peer
Support Specialist if a specific program worked for them. What is an appropriate
response for the Peer Support Specialist to give?
A. Tell the peer about Narcotics Anonymous as it is the only way to stay sober in their
wellness journey.
B. Share what worked for the Peer Support Specialist while mentioning there are
multiple pathways to recovery.
C. Ask what their substance of choice is so the Peer Support Specialist can decide
what facility would be best.
Correct Answer
B. Share what worked for the Peer Support Specialist while mentioning there are
multiple pathways to recovery.
Key: B
KSA Dimension: 2. Behavioral Health Foundations
KSA: 2.2 Knowledge of substance use challenges and available treatment options
across the lifespan.
Rationale: Sharing lived experience and mentioning there are multiple paths to
recovery is correct because the Peer Support Specialist is sharing their personal
experience and not making a choice for the peer.
Page 4 of 119
