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Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Certification Renewal and Continuing Education (CE)

Overview 

Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (CMPSS) provide recovery-oriented, culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, natural support, and are trauma aware. To maintain certification, renewal every two years is required.  State standards require applicants to satisfy renewal standards, including completing twenty (20) hours of continuing education, inclusive of six (6) hours of law and ethics training, prior to submitting a renewal application, and paying associated fees. A certification not renewed by its expiration date is considered expired.  Applications for renewal may be submitted no more than 90 days prior to expiration. Applications submitted after the certification has expired are subject to additional fees and may cause delays in renewal.  

New information on continuing education requirements, including eligible course topics, law and ethics criteria, approved CE provider sources, and a quick course checklist. Visit the Continuing Education Requirements page.

State Standards for Renewal of Certification
  • Certification renewal is required every two (2) years to maintain certification. 
  • Certification must be in good standing. 
  • Certification is considered expired if not renewed by its expiration date and will be subject to a renewal late fee.  
  • Applicants must complete 20 hours of continued education prior to submitting the renewal application. 
  • Applicants must read and re-sign agreements to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California. 
  • Fees must be paid at the time of submitting the application. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.  
Renewal Application Process
  • Application must be submitted online through the certification website. 
  • Applications may be submitted up to 90 days prior to the expiration. 
  • Applicant attests to having met the 20 hours of continuing education requirement, inclusive of the six 6 hours of Law and Ethics. 
  • Applicant shall maintain records of continued education hours for at least two years from the date of certification renewal.  

 

Reminder: Applicants are NOT required to submit proof of continuing education hours at the time of submitting a renewal application. However, 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. Applicants must retain continuing education certificates for at least two (2) years from the date of certification renewal. Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in a disciplinary action against your certification.   

Notification of Renewal 

As a courtesy, CalMHSA will send a notification of certification renewal via email to eligible individuals 90 days prior to date of expiration. CalMHSA will use the email address on file. Expired, suspended, and revoked certifications are not considered in good standing and therefore not eligible for renewal. 

Certification Status and Renewal Periods
  • Current (Up to Expiration Date):
    Certification is considered current if it is renewed on or before its renewal due date.  
  • Lapsed (Within 1 Year After Expiration):
    Certification is considered lapsed if not renewed by the renewal due date but is still within one year of expiration period.  
  • Expired (Between 1–4 Years After Expiration):
    Certification is considered expired if more than one year has passed since the renewal due date but less than four years.  
  • Vacated (More Than 4 Years After Expiration):
    Certification is considered vacated if not renewed within four years of the renewal date. To become certified again, individuals must satisfy certification requirements and reapply for a new certification.  
Lapsed, Expired, and Vacated Certification

1. Lapsed Certification (Within 1 Year of Renewal Due Date) 

A certification is considered lapsed if it is not renewed by the renewal due date. The certification remains in lapsed status for up to one (1) year from that date. 

To bring a lapsed certification current, the applicant must: 

  • Complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) that meets the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist continuing education requirements. 
  • Reaffirm the Code of Ethics; and 
  • Pay the biennial renewal fee and any applicable late fee. 

Important Reminders: 

  • All renewal requirements must be completed within one (1) year of the original renewal due date to avoid the certification moving into expired status. 
  • Applicants may begin the renewal process up to 90 days prior to their certification expiration date. 

 

2. Expired Certification (1–4 Years After Renewal Due Date) 

A certification not renewed within one (1) year of the renewal due date is considered expired. It may be reinstated within four (4) years of that date. 

To reinstate an expired certification, the applicant must choose one of the following two options: 

 

 A. Pass the Certification Exam 

  • The applicant is allowed up to three (3) attempts to pass the exam. 
  • If the applicant does not pass after three attempts, they are no longer eligible to retake the exam during the expired period. The only remaining option for reinstatement is to complete the 80-hour refresher course. 
  • Complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) that meets the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist continuing education requirements; 
  • Reaffirm the Code of Ethics, and 
  • Pay the renewal fee, late fee, and exam fee. 

OR 

 B. Complete the 80-Hour Refresher Course 

  • This course may be completed in place of the exam or if the exam was attempted three times unsuccessfully. 
  • Complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) that meets the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist continuing education requirements; 
  • Reaffirm the Code of Ethics, and 
  • Pay the renewal fee, late fee, and training fee. 
 

Important Reminders: 

  • All renewal requirements must be completed within four (4) years of the original renewal due date. After that time, certification is considered vacated. 
  • Exam requests must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the certification expiration or renewal deadline. Requests submitted with fewer than 14 days remaining cannot be processed. 
  • Certificates for the 80-hour training are valid for two (2) years from the date of completion and must still be valid if used toward reinstatement. 

 

3. Vacated Certification (More Than 4 Years After Renewal Due Date)  

A certification is considered vacated if it is not renewed within four (4) years of the original renewal due date. At this point, the individual is no longer eligible for reinstatement and must begin the certification process from the beginning. 

To become certified, the individual must satisfy certification requirements and reapply for a new certification including but not limited to:  

  • Reapply as a new applicant; 
  • Complete an 80-hour initial certification training course through a CalMHSA-approved training provider;* 
  • Pass the certification examination; and 
  • Pay all associated application and exam fees. 

*Training fees are paid directly to the training provider. CalMHSA does not collect training fees.  

Note: A new certification number will be issued, and the previously assigned number will be permanently vacated and no longer valid. 

Name Change

Applicants that have a name change as part of their certification renewal application, must submit a Name Change Request. Name change requests must be submitted through the individual online certification application. If approved, the newly issued certification will reflect the “new” name.