CMPSS Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain certification, a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (CMPSS) must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, beginning on the date of initial certification and continuing with each renewal period. Of those 20 hours, 6 must be in Law and Ethics each cycle. CE courses must support professional growth and improve the quality of peer support services. CMPSSs are responsible for selecting courses within their scope of practice.
To meet renewal requirements, courses must be non-repetitive — the same course cannot be counted more than once per certification period, even if taken again. Courses may be completed in-person, online, or self-paced, through a variety of approved trainers.
⚖️ Law and Ethics Requirement (6 Hours)
Every renewal cycle must include 6 hours in Law and Ethics. Courses in this category may cover:
- Confidentiality and client record access
- Professional boundaries and dual relationships
- Mandated reporting — minors, elders, and dependent adults
- Crisis support and telehealth responsibilities
- Complaints, liability, and disciplinary standards
County on-the-job trainings may count toward this requirement if they include Law and Ethics content.
Will My Course Count ?
To count toward renewal, a course must meet both of these requirements:
Course Topic Must Fit Peer Support Work
Your CE course should clearly connect to what peers do day to day. Here are examples of topics that qualify:
- Peer support values — recovery, wellness, mutuality, lived experience
- New or emerging peer support practices
- Supporting the communities peers serve — crisis response, housing, justice involvement, families
- Professional skills — boundaries, documentation, supervision
- Learning related to CMPSS certification or specializations
The Provider Must Be Approved
Your CE hours must come from one of these approved sources:
- A CalMHSA-approved CE provider
- A CalMHSA-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist or Specialization provider
- County Behavioral Health Departments or their contracted providers
- Accredited colleges, universities, or vocational programs
- Professional licensing or certification boards (CAMFT, APA, BBS, and others)
- National behavioral health organizations (such as SAMHSA)
Important: Providers approved to offer the 80-hour Medi-Cal Peer Support training are not automatically approved to offer CEs. CE approval is a separate process — always confirm the agency is a CalMHSA-approved CE provider before enrolling.
Quick Course Checklist
Check all that apply to your course:
Calculating Continued Education Hours
One (1) hour of direct educational training instruction is equal to one (1) hour of continuing education (CE), excluding breaks.
For undergraduate or graduate course work, three (3) units of coursework are equal to twelve (12) hours of continuing education units. Breaks are excluded from direct training instructional requirements and must not be counted towards the 1-hour direct educational training requirement.
For training where certificates of attendance are not available (i.e., conferences) a copy of the conference agenda with detailed information on the session shall be maintained as a record by the applicant. For courses through accredited schools, transcripts shall be maintained as a record. Breaks are excluded from direct training instructional requirements and must not be counted towards the 1-hour direct educational training requirement.
Maintenance of Records
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (CMPSS) are responsible for maintaining a record of continuing education hours for the purpose of certification renewal. Applicant shall maintain records of continued education hours for at least two (2) years from the date of certification renewal. The certifying entity performs random records review. If selected, applicants will be notified, and proof of continuing education hours will be required to be submitted. Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in a disciplinary action against your certification. Evidence of participation in courses must include, but not limited to, the following:
- Applicant’s legal name
- Title of course, training, and/or event
- Date(s) of participation and/or course completion
- Event sponsor and/or training provider name
- Number of direct instruction hours
Tip: If the training event title does not clearly identify the instructional content, maintain a copy of information from the training event, such as an agenda or syllabus.
In the absence of complete documentation, contact the training provider directly. The updated information should be retained as part of the record. For coursework through an accredited school, maintain a copy of the transcripts (unofficial will be accepted).
Quality Assurance
CalMHSA conducts random review of continuing education records. Individuals who are selected in the sampling will be notified via email and must submit electronic proof of continuing education hours completed for the renewal period within 30 days of request.
Please note that failure to meet CE requirements may result in disciplinary action. See Code of Ethics and Violations Guidelines for more information.