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.
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:
- The knowledge to be tested in this exam,
- Tips for preparing for the exam, and
- Examples of exam questions.
In-Person Exam
- View In-Person Exam Locations
- Read “What to Expect – In Person Exam” to ensure you are ready for your 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.