CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
Medi-Cal A public health insurance program in California that
provides health care services to eligible individuals.
Peer Support Specialist An individual with lived experience who provides
support to others in their recovery journey.
Certification Preparation Guide A resource designed to help individuals prepare for the
certification exam for Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists.
Senate Bill 803 Landmark legislation that established a framework for
peer support and workforce expansion in California's
public behavioral health system.
CalMHSA California Mental Health Services Authority, an
organization that supports mental health services and
peer support initiatives.
Core Competencies Essential skills and knowledge required for Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialists to effectively support
individuals in recovery.
Examination Content The specific topics and materials that will be covered in
the certification exam for Peer Support Specialists.
Examination Blueprint A detailed outline of the structure and content areas of
the certification exam.
Best Practices for Exam Preparation Recommended strategies and methods for effectively
studying and preparing for the certification exam.
,CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
Eligibility Requirements Criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for the
certification exam for Peer Support Specialists.
Registration The process of signing up to take the certification exam
for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
Rescheduling The process of changing the date of a scheduled
certification exam.
Cancelling The act of withdrawing from a scheduled certification
exam.
Missed Examinations Exams that were not attended by the registered
candidate, often requiring rescheduling or cancellation.
Reasonable Accommodation Adjustments or modifications provided to ensure
individuals with disabilities can participate in the
certification exam.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified
Certification Examination Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) in the State of
California.
Peer Support Specialists Play a key role in the prevention, early intervention,
treatment, and recovery process of individuals living
with mental health and substance use disorders.
Senate Bill 803 Legislation that led to the establishment of core
competencies and a Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists.
Department of Health Care Services Established core competencies and developed
(DHCS) statewide standards for certification programs for Medi-
Cal Peer Support Specialists.
,CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
California Mental Health Services Selected by county public behavioral health plans as
Authority (CalMHSA) the certifying body for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists.
Human Resources Research Began a project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to
Organization (HumRRO) examine the knowledge and job skills necessary for
certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Study Aid Designed to help prepare for taking the Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist Certification Examination.
Test-taking strategies Familiarity with these strategies allows focus on
applying knowledge rather than on the testing
environment.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist A 120-item multiple-choice test designed to measure a
certification exam candidate's competency in various dimensions related
to peer support.
Preparation time for the exam Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
Core competencies of Medi-Cal Peer Essential skills and knowledge areas required for
Support Specialist effective peer support, including hope, recovery,
wellness, advocacy, and more.
Job task analysis survey A survey conducted to determine critical knowledge
and job skills for Peer Support Specialists, accessed by
1,486 participants.
Survey completion rate Approximately 694 (47%) of the surveys were
completed and used in the final analysis.
Demographic composition of survey Participants included diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds
participants and gender identities, primarily speaking English,
Spanish, and Chinese.
, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
Cultural and structural competence Training focused on understanding and addressing
trainings cultural and systemic factors affecting individuals in
peer support.
Trauma-informed care An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on
individuals and integrates this understanding into
support practices.
Group facilitation skills Skills necessary for effectively leading and managing
group discussions and activities.
Co-occurring disorders The presence of both mental health and substance use
disorders in an individual.
Conflict resolution Techniques and strategies used to resolve
disagreements and conflicts in a constructive manner.
Professional boundaries Guidelines that help maintain a safe and ethical
relationship between peer supporters and those they
support.
Safety and crisis planning Strategies developed to ensure safety and manage
crises effectively.
Documentation skills The ability to accurately record and maintain necessary
information and standards in peer support.
Confidentiality The ethical principle of keeping personal information
private and secure.
Digital literacy The ability to effectively use digital tools and technology
in peer support contexts.
Medi-Cal A public health insurance program in California that
provides health care services to eligible individuals.
Peer Support Specialist An individual with lived experience who provides
support to others in their recovery journey.
Certification Preparation Guide A resource designed to help individuals prepare for the
certification exam for Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists.
Senate Bill 803 Landmark legislation that established a framework for
peer support and workforce expansion in California's
public behavioral health system.
CalMHSA California Mental Health Services Authority, an
organization that supports mental health services and
peer support initiatives.
Core Competencies Essential skills and knowledge required for Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialists to effectively support
individuals in recovery.
Examination Content The specific topics and materials that will be covered in
the certification exam for Peer Support Specialists.
Examination Blueprint A detailed outline of the structure and content areas of
the certification exam.
Best Practices for Exam Preparation Recommended strategies and methods for effectively
studying and preparing for the certification exam.
,CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
Eligibility Requirements Criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for the
certification exam for Peer Support Specialists.
Registration The process of signing up to take the certification exam
for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
Rescheduling The process of changing the date of a scheduled
certification exam.
Cancelling The act of withdrawing from a scheduled certification
exam.
Missed Examinations Exams that were not attended by the registered
candidate, often requiring rescheduling or cancellation.
Reasonable Accommodation Adjustments or modifications provided to ensure
individuals with disabilities can participate in the
certification exam.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified
Certification Examination Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) in the State of
California.
Peer Support Specialists Play a key role in the prevention, early intervention,
treatment, and recovery process of individuals living
with mental health and substance use disorders.
Senate Bill 803 Legislation that led to the establishment of core
competencies and a Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists.
Department of Health Care Services Established core competencies and developed
(DHCS) statewide standards for certification programs for Medi-
Cal Peer Support Specialists.
,CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
California Mental Health Services Selected by county public behavioral health plans as
Authority (CalMHSA) the certifying body for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialists.
Human Resources Research Began a project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to
Organization (HumRRO) examine the knowledge and job skills necessary for
certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Study Aid Designed to help prepare for taking the Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist Certification Examination.
Test-taking strategies Familiarity with these strategies allows focus on
applying knowledge rather than on the testing
environment.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist A 120-item multiple-choice test designed to measure a
certification exam candidate's competency in various dimensions related
to peer support.
Preparation time for the exam Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
Core competencies of Medi-Cal Peer Essential skills and knowledge areas required for
Support Specialist effective peer support, including hope, recovery,
wellness, advocacy, and more.
Job task analysis survey A survey conducted to determine critical knowledge
and job skills for Peer Support Specialists, accessed by
1,486 participants.
Survey completion rate Approximately 694 (47%) of the surveys were
completed and used in the final analysis.
Demographic composition of survey Participants included diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds
participants and gender identities, primarily speaking English,
Spanish, and Chinese.
, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide - 2026-2027 | PSS Study Guide
Cultural and structural competence Training focused on understanding and addressing
trainings cultural and systemic factors affecting individuals in
peer support.
Trauma-informed care An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on
individuals and integrates this understanding into
support practices.
Group facilitation skills Skills necessary for effectively leading and managing
group discussions and activities.
Co-occurring disorders The presence of both mental health and substance use
disorders in an individual.
Conflict resolution Techniques and strategies used to resolve
disagreements and conflicts in a constructive manner.
Professional boundaries Guidelines that help maintain a safe and ethical
relationship between peer supporters and those they
support.
Safety and crisis planning Strategies developed to ensure safety and manage
crises effectively.
Documentation skills The ability to accurately record and maintain necessary
information and standards in peer support.
Confidentiality The ethical principle of keeping personal information
private and secure.
Digital literacy The ability to effectively use digital tools and technology
in peer support contexts.
