CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support
Certification Exam (2025/2026)
Updated: EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
adult - correct answeran individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - correct answeran individual who receives peer services from
a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - correct answerthe
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 answeran individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist by CalMHSA
certication - correct answerindicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist have been met
certifying entity - correct answerindicates 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 answera 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 answera 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 answerthe education a Certificant receives to further
develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or
specialized training.
core competencies - correct answerminimum knowledge base necessary to perform
role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
, county reciprocity - correct answerthe recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
culturally appropriate services - correct answera 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 answera 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 answerthe 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 answerthe 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 answeran 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 answerCalifornia's Medicaid health care program that includes a
variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or medical
condition.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist - correct answeran individual who is 18 years of
age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process of
recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of
these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been
granted certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification
program.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist services - correct answerculturally appropriate
services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-
advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services,
support, coaching, facilitation, or education that is individualized and is conducted by a
certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Certification Exam (2025/2026)
Updated: EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
adult - correct answeran individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - correct answeran individual who receives peer services from
a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - correct answerthe
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 answeran individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist by CalMHSA
certication - correct answerindicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist have been met
certifying entity - correct answerindicates 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 answera 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 answera 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 answerthe education a Certificant receives to further
develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or
specialized training.
core competencies - correct answerminimum knowledge base necessary to perform
role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
, county reciprocity - correct answerthe recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
culturally appropriate services - correct answera 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 answera 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 answerthe 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 answerthe 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 answeran 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 answerCalifornia's Medicaid health care program that includes a
variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or medical
condition.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist - correct answeran individual who is 18 years of
age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process of
recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of
these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been
granted certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification
program.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist services - correct answerculturally appropriate
services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-
advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Medi-Cal
Peer Support Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services,
support, coaching, facilitation, or education that is individualized and is conducted by a
certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
