Exam Development
As the certifying entity, CalMHSA is responsible for the development of the state-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam.
It is our policy to administer a valid, reliable, and sound examination. To assist with this process, CalMHSA contracted with the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) for the development of a reliable Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification exam.
With input from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) identified by CalMHSA, and the community, HumRRO began by drafting a Knowledge and Job Skills statement list use to evaluate the job skills of peer workers. HumRRO facilitated a focus group the SMEs to gather feedback on the knowledge and job skills statements and additional information about the job-related responsibilities for peer workers. That feedback was used to create the Job Task Analysis Survey. The survey was launched to collect importance and frequency ratings of knowledge and job skills from Peer Supporters throughout California. Then, in a workshop with SMEs, HumRRO reviewed the aggregate survey ratings with SMEs and came to an agreement on the relative importance of job-related activity and finalized the information to guide the exam blueprint. This exam blueprint was the basis for the items and job knowledge items in the certification exam.