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Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Certification Guide Questions and Correct
Answers
Medi-Cal Ans: A public health insurance program in California
that provides health care services to eligible individuals.
Peer Support Specialist Ans: A trained individual who shares
their personal recovery experiences to help others in their mental
health and substance use recovery journey.
Certification Ans: An official recognition that an individual has
met specific qualifications and standards in a particular field.
Preparation Guide Ans: A resource designed to help individuals
prepare for an examination or certification process.
© 2025 All rights reserved
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Senate Bill 803 Ans: Landmark legislation that established a
framework for peer support and workforce expansion in
California's public behavioral health system.
Department of Health Care Services Ans: The California state
agency responsible for overseeing Medi-Cal programs and ensuring
access to health care services.
CalMHSA Ans: California Mental Health Services Authority, an
organization that advocates for mental health services and peer
support.
Core Competencies Ans: Essential skills and knowledge required
for effective performance in a specific role, such as a Peer Support
Specialist.
Examination Content Ans: The specific topics and materials that
will be covered in a certification examination.
Examination Blueprint Ans: A detailed outline that describes the
structure and content areas of an examination.
© 2025 All rights reserved
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Best Practices for Exam Preparation Ans: Recommended
strategies and methods to effectively prepare for an examination.
Eligibility Requirements Ans: The criteria that individuals must
meet to qualify for a certification examination.
Registration Ans: The process of signing up to take an
examination or participate in a certification program.
Rescheduling Ans: The act of changing the date or time of a
scheduled examination.
Cancelling Ans: The act of withdrawing from a scheduled
examination.
Missed Examinations Ans: Instances where an individual fails to
attend a scheduled examination.
Reasonable Accommodation Ans: Adjustments or modifications
provided to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to
examinations.
© 2025 All rights reserved
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Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Examination Ans:
Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist (PSS) in the State of California.
Peer Support Specialists Ans: 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 Ans: Legislation that established core
competencies, a Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists, and developed statewide standards for certification
programs.
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) Ans:
Selected by county public behavioral health plans as the certifying
body for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) Ans: Began a
project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to examine the knowledge
© 2025 All rights reserved
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Certification Guide Questions and Correct
Answers
Medi-Cal Ans: A public health insurance program in California
that provides health care services to eligible individuals.
Peer Support Specialist Ans: A trained individual who shares
their personal recovery experiences to help others in their mental
health and substance use recovery journey.
Certification Ans: An official recognition that an individual has
met specific qualifications and standards in a particular field.
Preparation Guide Ans: A resource designed to help individuals
prepare for an examination or certification process.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Senate Bill 803 Ans: Landmark legislation that established a
framework for peer support and workforce expansion in
California's public behavioral health system.
Department of Health Care Services Ans: The California state
agency responsible for overseeing Medi-Cal programs and ensuring
access to health care services.
CalMHSA Ans: California Mental Health Services Authority, an
organization that advocates for mental health services and peer
support.
Core Competencies Ans: Essential skills and knowledge required
for effective performance in a specific role, such as a Peer Support
Specialist.
Examination Content Ans: The specific topics and materials that
will be covered in a certification examination.
Examination Blueprint Ans: A detailed outline that describes the
structure and content areas of an examination.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Best Practices for Exam Preparation Ans: Recommended
strategies and methods to effectively prepare for an examination.
Eligibility Requirements Ans: The criteria that individuals must
meet to qualify for a certification examination.
Registration Ans: The process of signing up to take an
examination or participate in a certification program.
Rescheduling Ans: The act of changing the date or time of a
scheduled examination.
Cancelling Ans: The act of withdrawing from a scheduled
examination.
Missed Examinations Ans: Instances where an individual fails to
attend a scheduled examination.
Reasonable Accommodation Ans: Adjustments or modifications
provided to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to
examinations.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Examination Ans:
Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified Medi-Cal Peer
Support Specialist (PSS) in the State of California.
Peer Support Specialists Ans: 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 Ans: Legislation that established core
competencies, a Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists, and developed statewide standards for certification
programs.
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) Ans:
Selected by county public behavioral health plans as the certifying
body for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) Ans: Began a
project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to examine the knowledge
© 2025 All rights reserved
