MEDI-CALPEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
TEST STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 ACCURATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<RECENT VERSION>
1. What best describes a Peer Support Specialist? - ANSWER ✓ A person who
has personally experienced and is in recovery from mental health or
substance use issues, or who is the family member or parent of someone
with mental health or substance use issues, and has formal training to
support others in recovery.
2. You REDUCE relationship rapport with someone you are supporting by: -
ANSWER ✓ Being unaware of your power
3. A benefit of sharing your recovery story is to: - ANSWER ✓ Support
change, and show recovery is possible
4. Someone 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? - ANSWER ✓ Assist
the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their concerns.
5. 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? - ANSWER ✓ Participate in the activity as
requested by the consumer, if it is part of Peer's job.
6. In optimal recovery planning... - ANSWER ✓ People discover and write
down their goals and dreams.
,7. A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist they want to make friends but
does not know how. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to
support the consumer? - ANSWER ✓ Refer them to the self-help support
groups which best fit their needs.
8. How would a Family Peer Support Specialist begin to assist a family in
identifying informal supports to plan for wellness? - ANSWER ✓ Ask the
family who they talk to when they need help
9. What is a strategy for validating the experiences of parents? - ANSWER ✓
Actively listen as the parents share their experience
10.How should the Family Peer Support Specialist connect parents to other
parents with similar concerns? - ANSWER ✓ Invite the parent to an
educational event or support group so they can meet other parents
11.An example of a recovery-oriented approach is... - ANSWER ✓ Focusing on
wellness, ability and choice
12.Dual Relationship - ANSWER ✓ A non-therapeutic connection between a
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and a care recipient, involving activities
prohibited by the Code of Ethics.
13.Grandparenting Process - ANSWER ✓ The process allowing individuals
employed as peers before January 1, 2022, to seek certification as a Medi-
Cal Peer Support Specialist if they meet eligibility criteria and pass the state-
approved exam.
14.Initial Certification - ANSWER ✓ The process for an applicant to become
certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first time, meeting
eligibility criteria and passing the state-approved exam.
15.Lived Experience - ANSWER ✓ First-hand encounter with mental health
and/or substance use challenges, involving recovery and resilience
engagement.
16.Medi-Cal - ANSWER ✓ California's Medicaid program offering various
medical services for eligible children and adults.
,17.Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist - ANSWER ✓ An individual aged 18 or
older, self-identifying with lived experience in mental illness or substance
use recovery, and certified under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
program.
18.Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Services - ANSWER ✓ Culturally
appropriate services promoting engagement, recovery, self-sufficiency, and
identification of strengths, including prevention, support, coaching,
facilitation, or education.
19.Natural Supports - ANSWER ✓ Personal connections within an individual's
community enhancing their quality of life.
20.Out-of-State Reciprocity - ANSWER ✓ Recognition of peer support
certification from another state, meeting specified qualifications under
current policies.
21.Agency - ANSWER ✓ An individual or company involved in providing
services or support.
22.Trauma Room - ANSWER ✓ A location or area designated for addressing
trauma-related cases or situations.
23.Vital Signs - ANSWER ✓ Measurements of essential body functions,
including pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
24.Practice Examination Questions - ANSWER ✓ Questions similar to those on
the actual exam, aiding in preparation and self-assessment.
25.Harm Reduction Model - ANSWER ✓ A model aiming to decrease
overdose risk and improve access to care for substance use challenges, rather
than focusing on judicial system exposure.
26.Peer Support Specialist's Role - ANSWER ✓ Supporting a consumer's
recovery goals, advocating for their needs, and promoting self-advocacy and
community engagement.
, 27.Consumer's Frustration - ANSWER ✓ Peer Support Specialist's support in
addressing communication issues with service providers, encouraging team
meetings, and empowering the consumer to voice concerns.
28.Situational Stress Support - ANSWER ✓ Assisting the consumer in
developing a wellness plan to address non-diagnosis related stress, rather
than advising medication changes or dismissing concerns.
29.Encouraging Self-Advocacy - ANSWER ✓ Utilizing dissatisfaction to
formulate a better recovery plan, modeling assertive communication, and
directly advocating during treatment team meetings.
30.Disability Discrimination Support - ANSWER ✓ Educating the consumer on
state disability laws before taking action, rather than calling authorities or
suggesting a boycott.
31.Managing Probation Expectations - ANSWER ✓ Assisting the consumer in
arranging meetings with providers, managing appointments, and developing
a task management plan.
32.Supporting Consumer's Advocacy Goal - ANSWER ✓ Assisting the
consumer with encouragement, direction, and support, rather than suggesting
public speaking or providing agency lists.
33.Primary Duty of a Peer Support Specialist - ANSWER ✓ Helping a
consumer access a local mental health plan, rather than reviewing finances,
advising on disputes, or discussing specific coding.
34.Managing Consumer's Anxiety - ANSWER ✓ Recommending breathing
exercises, rather than suggesting avoidance or deeming the activity not
worth the effort.
35.Person-Centered Pre-Crisis Plan Components - ANSWER ✓ Involving a
wellness toolbox, known stressors list, and not-suicide contract, rather than
emergency contacts or medical history alone.
36.Consumer's Gift Gesture - ANSWER ✓ Thanking the consumer before
declining the gift, rather than setting a price limit or redirecting the gesture.
TEST STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 ACCURATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<RECENT VERSION>
1. What best describes a Peer Support Specialist? - ANSWER ✓ A person who
has personally experienced and is in recovery from mental health or
substance use issues, or who is the family member or parent of someone
with mental health or substance use issues, and has formal training to
support others in recovery.
2. You REDUCE relationship rapport with someone you are supporting by: -
ANSWER ✓ Being unaware of your power
3. A benefit of sharing your recovery story is to: - ANSWER ✓ Support
change, and show recovery is possible
4. Someone 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? - ANSWER ✓ Assist
the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their concerns.
5. 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? - ANSWER ✓ Participate in the activity as
requested by the consumer, if it is part of Peer's job.
6. In optimal recovery planning... - ANSWER ✓ People discover and write
down their goals and dreams.
,7. A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist they want to make friends but
does not know how. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to
support the consumer? - ANSWER ✓ Refer them to the self-help support
groups which best fit their needs.
8. How would a Family Peer Support Specialist begin to assist a family in
identifying informal supports to plan for wellness? - ANSWER ✓ Ask the
family who they talk to when they need help
9. What is a strategy for validating the experiences of parents? - ANSWER ✓
Actively listen as the parents share their experience
10.How should the Family Peer Support Specialist connect parents to other
parents with similar concerns? - ANSWER ✓ Invite the parent to an
educational event or support group so they can meet other parents
11.An example of a recovery-oriented approach is... - ANSWER ✓ Focusing on
wellness, ability and choice
12.Dual Relationship - ANSWER ✓ A non-therapeutic connection between a
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and a care recipient, involving activities
prohibited by the Code of Ethics.
13.Grandparenting Process - ANSWER ✓ The process allowing individuals
employed as peers before January 1, 2022, to seek certification as a Medi-
Cal Peer Support Specialist if they meet eligibility criteria and pass the state-
approved exam.
14.Initial Certification - ANSWER ✓ The process for an applicant to become
certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first time, meeting
eligibility criteria and passing the state-approved exam.
15.Lived Experience - ANSWER ✓ First-hand encounter with mental health
and/or substance use challenges, involving recovery and resilience
engagement.
16.Medi-Cal - ANSWER ✓ California's Medicaid program offering various
medical services for eligible children and adults.
,17.Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist - ANSWER ✓ An individual aged 18 or
older, self-identifying with lived experience in mental illness or substance
use recovery, and certified under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
program.
18.Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Services - ANSWER ✓ Culturally
appropriate services promoting engagement, recovery, self-sufficiency, and
identification of strengths, including prevention, support, coaching,
facilitation, or education.
19.Natural Supports - ANSWER ✓ Personal connections within an individual's
community enhancing their quality of life.
20.Out-of-State Reciprocity - ANSWER ✓ Recognition of peer support
certification from another state, meeting specified qualifications under
current policies.
21.Agency - ANSWER ✓ An individual or company involved in providing
services or support.
22.Trauma Room - ANSWER ✓ A location or area designated for addressing
trauma-related cases or situations.
23.Vital Signs - ANSWER ✓ Measurements of essential body functions,
including pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
24.Practice Examination Questions - ANSWER ✓ Questions similar to those on
the actual exam, aiding in preparation and self-assessment.
25.Harm Reduction Model - ANSWER ✓ A model aiming to decrease
overdose risk and improve access to care for substance use challenges, rather
than focusing on judicial system exposure.
26.Peer Support Specialist's Role - ANSWER ✓ Supporting a consumer's
recovery goals, advocating for their needs, and promoting self-advocacy and
community engagement.
, 27.Consumer's Frustration - ANSWER ✓ Peer Support Specialist's support in
addressing communication issues with service providers, encouraging team
meetings, and empowering the consumer to voice concerns.
28.Situational Stress Support - ANSWER ✓ Assisting the consumer in
developing a wellness plan to address non-diagnosis related stress, rather
than advising medication changes or dismissing concerns.
29.Encouraging Self-Advocacy - ANSWER ✓ Utilizing dissatisfaction to
formulate a better recovery plan, modeling assertive communication, and
directly advocating during treatment team meetings.
30.Disability Discrimination Support - ANSWER ✓ Educating the consumer on
state disability laws before taking action, rather than calling authorities or
suggesting a boycott.
31.Managing Probation Expectations - ANSWER ✓ Assisting the consumer in
arranging meetings with providers, managing appointments, and developing
a task management plan.
32.Supporting Consumer's Advocacy Goal - ANSWER ✓ Assisting the
consumer with encouragement, direction, and support, rather than suggesting
public speaking or providing agency lists.
33.Primary Duty of a Peer Support Specialist - ANSWER ✓ Helping a
consumer access a local mental health plan, rather than reviewing finances,
advising on disputes, or discussing specific coding.
34.Managing Consumer's Anxiety - ANSWER ✓ Recommending breathing
exercises, rather than suggesting avoidance or deeming the activity not
worth the effort.
35.Person-Centered Pre-Crisis Plan Components - ANSWER ✓ Involving a
wellness toolbox, known stressors list, and not-suicide contract, rather than
emergency contacts or medical history alone.
36.Consumer's Gift Gesture - ANSWER ✓ Thanking the consumer before
declining the gift, rather than setting a price limit or redirecting the gesture.
