Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification

Exam Administration

The Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification exam is administered by CalMHSA with third party proctoring by Pearson VUE. The certification exam is available through on-line live proctoring and in-person at local test centers in California. Candidates who meet requirements towards certification and have been approved by CalMHSA may schedule their certification exam.

On the day of testing: 

  • All candidates are required to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID. The photo ID must match the first and last name of the candidate’s letter of approval. Candidates will not be permitted to take the exam without proper identification. Please note: The exam proctor will need to see the original government issued identification at the time of the exam. Neither a digital nor photocopy of the identification will be accepted as a form of identification for testing. 
  • All candidates must read and select ‘YES’ to the testing rules, security statement and non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to begin the exam. If the candidate does not agree, they will not be permitted to proceed with taking the test and will forfeit the test fee. If “DECLINE” is selected, the test session will immediately end.
 
Candidates testing in-person at local test centers are encouraged to follow guidelines to ensure a good testing experience. We encourage you to watch this short video to learn about the in-person check-in process and test experience, so you’re prepared on the day of the exam.
 
Candidates testing online are highly encouraged to use their personal computer, as work computers often have firewalls or other security challenges that may hinder the examination experience. Candidates are strongly encouraged to perform a computer system test prior to the examination day on the computer they plan to use for the examination. Candidates taking the exam online are highly encouraged to review the Online Exam Instruction Guide in its entirety to be aware of all testing policies and procedures.

Exam Preparation

Preparing for an examination can be stressful and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be.  By ensuring you are prepared and reading the preparation materials we have provided ahead of time, you can ensure that you are confident and ready to take your exam. 

On the day of testing:

  • All candidates are required to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID. The photo ID must match the first and last name of the candidate’s letter of approval. Candidates will not be permitted to take the exam without proper identification. 

  • All candidates must read and select ‘YES’ to the testing rules and security statement to begin the exam. If the candidate does not agree, they will not be permitted to proceed with taking the test and will forfeit the test fee. If “DECLINE” is selected, the test session will immediately end.

Valid Identification Required

For both in-person or online exam, on the day of testing, all candidates are required to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID. The photo ID must match the first and last name of the candidate’s letter of approval. Candidates will not be permitted to take the exam without proper identification. 

Please note: The exam proctor will need to see the original government issued identification at the time of the exam. Neither a digital nor photocopy of the identification will be accepted as a form of identification for testing.

Certification Exam Preparation Guide

CalMHSA has prepared an Exam Preparation guide to help you prepare for taking the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam. The more familiar you are with test-taking strategies, the more you will be able to focus on applying your knowledge rather than on the testing environment. To do your best on the exam, it is important that you take the necessary time to prepare for the test and develop the skills that will help you take it. PLEASE NOTE: the Guide is meant to help you prepare for the exam by highlighting what to expect and is not intended to be used as study material.

This Guide is divided into sections that discuss:

  1. The knowledge to be tested in this exam,
  2. Tips for preparing for the exam, and
  3. Examples of exam questions.
 
This Guide was developed by HumRRO in consultation with CalMHSA. It is important to note that the sample questions are designed for exam preparation and are not exhaustive.
 
The guide is also available in Spanish.

In-Person Exam

The in-person examination is available at local test centers throughout California. You can visit our exam locations page to view a list and map of local centers offering the in-person exam.

Watch the Pearson VUE short video, What to Expect During Your Exam to learn about the in-person check-in process and test experience so you’re prepared on the day of the exam.

Ensure you are familiar with the cancelation policy for in-person testing.

Online Exam

The online exam can be delivered from almost any quiet, private location via OnVUE so long as the specific requirements for your workstation or testing space and your computer meet the specified requirements. A live, on-line proctor will monitor through the webcam on your computer to ensure a secure exam experience.

Before scheduling your OnVUE exam, you should take the following steps:

  • Watch the short video, OnVUE Online Proctoring: What to Expect for Your Online Exam, to see how convenient it is to test from home or work.
  • Ensure your computer meets the minimum requirements as instructed by Pearson Vue.
  • Review the On-line Exam Instruction Guide for detailed instructions on how to register, prepare and take the exam. It will also cover the rules of the exam, how to prepare your workspace, and how to get technical support before, during or after your exam. The On-line Exam Instruction Guide is also available in Spanish.
  • Candidates taking the online exam are highly encouraged to use their personal computer, as work computers often have firewalls or other security challenges that may hinder the examination experience.
  • Ensure you perform the system test and exam simulation instructed in the On-line Exam Instruction Guide prior to the day of your exam to ensure that your computer and operating system are compatible with the OnVUE requirements. We recommend using the same testing space, computer, and internet connection you plan to use on exam day.