CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Certification Exam – California Mental Health
Services Authority | 2025/2026 Actual Questions and
Verified Answers | Graded A+
INTRODUCTION / EXAM OVERVIEW
This comprehensive study guide is designed for candidates preparing for the CalMHSA
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Examination for the 2025/2026 cycle.
The certification is administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority
(CalMHSA) , the entity approved by the California Department of Health Care
Services (DHCS) to certify peer support specialists, training entities, and continuing
education providers .
Eligibility Requirements (Updated 2025/2026):
Per California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 14045.15, as amended by AB 96
(2025-2026) , applicants must:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Self-identify as having lived experience with mental health and/or substance
use disorder recovery (either as a consumer or as a parent/family member of a
consumer)
• Be willing to share their experience
• Have a strong dedication to recovery
• Agree in writing to adhere to the Code of Ethics
• Successfully complete required curriculum and training
• Pass the state-approved certification examination
Key Definitions & Concepts to Master :
Term Definition
Adult An individual who is 18 years of age or older
,Term Definition
An individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Beneficiary/Recipient
Specialist
The certifying entity approved by DHCS to certify peer support specialists,
CalMHSA
training entities, and continuing education providers
An individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Certificant
CalMHSA
Indicates all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been
Certification
met
CalMHSA, the organization selected by California Counties to certify Medi-
Certifying Entity
Peer Support Specialists and approve training providers
A set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist adheres to
Code of Ethics
regarding roles, responsibilities, and professional functioning
A person receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder services in
Consumer
public county behavioral health delivery system
Education a Certificant receives to further develop professional knowledge
Continued Education
around best practices, updated laws, and specialized training
Minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a
Core Competencies
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California
The recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public
County Reciprocity
county behavioral health plans
Culturally Appropriate Promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns with the cultural belie
Services and practices of the person served
,Term Definition
A non-therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care; includes any activit
Dual Relationship
not allowed within the Code of Ethics
Process by which individuals employed as peers on or before January 1, 20
Grandparenting Process
were eligible to seek certification (ended 6/30/2023)
Initial Certification The process for an applicant to become certified for the first time
First-hand experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges
Lived Experience
including the process of recovery and resiliency
Medi-Cal California's Medicaid health care program
Natural Supports Personal connections to an individual's community that enhance quality of
Persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental healt
Peer
and/or substance use challenges
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and
Recovery
wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential
Resiliency An individual's capacity to successfully meet life's challenges
The conscious process of creating and adapting patterns of behavior that l
Wellness
to improved health
SAMHSA's 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery :
1. Recovery emerges from hope
2. Recovery is person-driven
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways
4. Recovery is holistic
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
6. Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks
7. Recovery is culturally based and influenced
, 8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and
responsibilities
10. Recovery is based on respect
17 Core Competencies :
1. The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness
2. The role of advocacy
3. The role of consumers and family members
4. Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery
principles
5. Cultural and structural competence trainings
6. Trauma-informed care
7. Group facilitation skills
8. Self-awareness and self-care
9. Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use
10. Conflict resolution
11. Professional boundaries and ethics
12. Preparation for employment opportunities
13. Safety and crisis planning
14. Navigation of, and referral to, other services
15. Documentation skills and standards
16. Confidentiality
17. Digital literacy
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE (Questions 1-25)
Q1
According to California Welfare and Institutions Code, which of the following accurately
defines a "Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist"?
A. A licensed clinical social worker who provides therapy services to Medi-Cal
beneficiaries
B. An individual 18 years or older with lived recovery experience who has been granted
certification under a county certification program [CORRECT]
C. A county employee who conducts mental health assessments for treatment planning
D. A healthcare provider with a graduate degree in psychology or counseling
Certification Exam – California Mental Health
Services Authority | 2025/2026 Actual Questions and
Verified Answers | Graded A+
INTRODUCTION / EXAM OVERVIEW
This comprehensive study guide is designed for candidates preparing for the CalMHSA
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Examination for the 2025/2026 cycle.
The certification is administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority
(CalMHSA) , the entity approved by the California Department of Health Care
Services (DHCS) to certify peer support specialists, training entities, and continuing
education providers .
Eligibility Requirements (Updated 2025/2026):
Per California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 14045.15, as amended by AB 96
(2025-2026) , applicants must:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Self-identify as having lived experience with mental health and/or substance
use disorder recovery (either as a consumer or as a parent/family member of a
consumer)
• Be willing to share their experience
• Have a strong dedication to recovery
• Agree in writing to adhere to the Code of Ethics
• Successfully complete required curriculum and training
• Pass the state-approved certification examination
Key Definitions & Concepts to Master :
Term Definition
Adult An individual who is 18 years of age or older
,Term Definition
An individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Beneficiary/Recipient
Specialist
The certifying entity approved by DHCS to certify peer support specialists,
CalMHSA
training entities, and continuing education providers
An individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Certificant
CalMHSA
Indicates all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been
Certification
met
CalMHSA, the organization selected by California Counties to certify Medi-
Certifying Entity
Peer Support Specialists and approve training providers
A set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist adheres to
Code of Ethics
regarding roles, responsibilities, and professional functioning
A person receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder services in
Consumer
public county behavioral health delivery system
Education a Certificant receives to further develop professional knowledge
Continued Education
around best practices, updated laws, and specialized training
Minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a
Core Competencies
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California
The recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public
County Reciprocity
county behavioral health plans
Culturally Appropriate Promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns with the cultural belie
Services and practices of the person served
,Term Definition
A non-therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care; includes any activit
Dual Relationship
not allowed within the Code of Ethics
Process by which individuals employed as peers on or before January 1, 20
Grandparenting Process
were eligible to seek certification (ended 6/30/2023)
Initial Certification The process for an applicant to become certified for the first time
First-hand experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges
Lived Experience
including the process of recovery and resiliency
Medi-Cal California's Medicaid health care program
Natural Supports Personal connections to an individual's community that enhance quality of
Persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental healt
Peer
and/or substance use challenges
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and
Recovery
wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential
Resiliency An individual's capacity to successfully meet life's challenges
The conscious process of creating and adapting patterns of behavior that l
Wellness
to improved health
SAMHSA's 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery :
1. Recovery emerges from hope
2. Recovery is person-driven
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways
4. Recovery is holistic
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
6. Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks
7. Recovery is culturally based and influenced
, 8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and
responsibilities
10. Recovery is based on respect
17 Core Competencies :
1. The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness
2. The role of advocacy
3. The role of consumers and family members
4. Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery
principles
5. Cultural and structural competence trainings
6. Trauma-informed care
7. Group facilitation skills
8. Self-awareness and self-care
9. Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use
10. Conflict resolution
11. Professional boundaries and ethics
12. Preparation for employment opportunities
13. Safety and crisis planning
14. Navigation of, and referral to, other services
15. Documentation skills and standards
16. Confidentiality
17. Digital literacy
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE (Questions 1-25)
Q1
According to California Welfare and Institutions Code, which of the following accurately
defines a "Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist"?
A. A licensed clinical social worker who provides therapy services to Medi-Cal
beneficiaries
B. An individual 18 years or older with lived recovery experience who has been granted
certification under a county certification program [CORRECT]
C. A county employee who conducts mental health assessments for treatment planning
D. A healthcare provider with a graduate degree in psychology or counseling
