Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam
Questions With Verified Answers
What is the goal of the harm reduction model for substance use challenges?
Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care
3 multiple choice options
A consumer has been spending the last few weeks joking around and not taking group seriously. How
would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer?
Continue to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer is frustrated because several different service providers are not communicating well
when it comes to their care. How can the Peer Support Specialist support this consumer?
Encourage the consumer to request a team meeting so all staff can connect.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they have a lot of situational stress that is not a result
of their diagnosis. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take in supporting the consumer?
Assist the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their concerns.
3 multiple choice options
A Peer Support Specialist is working with a consumer with severe mental illness who has been in
inpatient treatment for several months. Prior to a treatment team meeting, the consumer says to the
Peer Support Specialist, "I don't know why I'm even going. They are just going to keep me here
anyway." Which action would the Peer Support Specialist take to encourage self-advocacy?
Model an effective action by sharing a time when the Peer Support Specialist assertively
communicated their own needs and desires.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer comes to you and says they were not hired at a job because of their disability. What
actions should the Peer Support Specialist take?
Educate the consumer on State Disability Laws before speaking to the business.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with their probation officer's and service providers'
requirements. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer with navigating the
expectations?
Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their viewpoint.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer wants to use their experience with managing their mental illness to help others. How can
the Peer Support Specialist help the consumer to accomplish this goal?
Assist the consumer by providing encouragement, direction, and support of their advocacy desires.
3 multiple choice options
What action is a primary duty of a Peer Support Specialist in assisting a consumer in the community?
Helping a consumer access a local mental health plan.
3 multiple choice options
, A consumer would like to support a neighborhood rally but has anxiety about attending. They believe
their anxiety would not be an issue if they are accompanied by their Peer Support Specialist. What
action would the Peer Support Specialist take?
Participate in the activity as requested by the consumer.
3 multiple choice options
. What are two key components of a person-centered pre-crisis plan?
A wellness toolbox and list of known potential stressors.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show their appreciation
for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support Specialist respond?
Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the gift
3 multiple choice options
A Peer Support Specialist is meeting with a consumer's care team to discuss the consumer's failure to
follow-through on their treatment goals. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to
support the consumer?
Provide the care team with an update on what steps the consumer has taken since the last team
meeting.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer with a history of depression tells the Peer Support Specialist they are starting to
experience symptoms of an oncoming depressive episode. What action would the Peer Support
Specialist take to support the consumer?
Advise consumer to speak to their doctor.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer explains that it is taboo for someone to share their struggles with family members in their
culture. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer?
Roleplay or act out with the consumer ways the consumer can raise the topic with loved ones.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they are struggling to create a plan for managing
future behavioral health crises. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to support the
consumer?
Help the consumer come up with a plan together.
3 multiple choice options
Peer Support Specialist
Provides non-clinical, experientially credentialed support in recovery.
Recovery
SAMHSA-defined process of improving health, living self-directed lives.
Peer Support Worker
Questions With Verified Answers
What is the goal of the harm reduction model for substance use challenges?
Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care
3 multiple choice options
A consumer has been spending the last few weeks joking around and not taking group seriously. How
would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer?
Continue to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer is frustrated because several different service providers are not communicating well
when it comes to their care. How can the Peer Support Specialist support this consumer?
Encourage the consumer to request a team meeting so all staff can connect.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they have a lot of situational stress that is not a result
of their diagnosis. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take in supporting the consumer?
Assist the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their concerns.
3 multiple choice options
A Peer Support Specialist is working with a consumer with severe mental illness who has been in
inpatient treatment for several months. Prior to a treatment team meeting, the consumer says to the
Peer Support Specialist, "I don't know why I'm even going. They are just going to keep me here
anyway." Which action would the Peer Support Specialist take to encourage self-advocacy?
Model an effective action by sharing a time when the Peer Support Specialist assertively
communicated their own needs and desires.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer comes to you and says they were not hired at a job because of their disability. What
actions should the Peer Support Specialist take?
Educate the consumer on State Disability Laws before speaking to the business.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with their probation officer's and service providers'
requirements. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer with navigating the
expectations?
Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their viewpoint.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer wants to use their experience with managing their mental illness to help others. How can
the Peer Support Specialist help the consumer to accomplish this goal?
Assist the consumer by providing encouragement, direction, and support of their advocacy desires.
3 multiple choice options
What action is a primary duty of a Peer Support Specialist in assisting a consumer in the community?
Helping a consumer access a local mental health plan.
3 multiple choice options
, A consumer would like to support a neighborhood rally but has anxiety about attending. They believe
their anxiety would not be an issue if they are accompanied by their Peer Support Specialist. What
action would the Peer Support Specialist take?
Participate in the activity as requested by the consumer.
3 multiple choice options
. What are two key components of a person-centered pre-crisis plan?
A wellness toolbox and list of known potential stressors.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show their appreciation
for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support Specialist respond?
Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the gift
3 multiple choice options
A Peer Support Specialist is meeting with a consumer's care team to discuss the consumer's failure to
follow-through on their treatment goals. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to
support the consumer?
Provide the care team with an update on what steps the consumer has taken since the last team
meeting.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer with a history of depression tells the Peer Support Specialist they are starting to
experience symptoms of an oncoming depressive episode. What action would the Peer Support
Specialist take to support the consumer?
Advise consumer to speak to their doctor.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer explains that it is taboo for someone to share their struggles with family members in their
culture. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer?
Roleplay or act out with the consumer ways the consumer can raise the topic with loved ones.
3 multiple choice options
A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they are struggling to create a plan for managing
future behavioral health crises. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to support the
consumer?
Help the consumer come up with a plan together.
3 multiple choice options
Peer Support Specialist
Provides non-clinical, experientially credentialed support in recovery.
Recovery
SAMHSA-defined process of improving health, living self-directed lives.
Peer Support Worker
