California Mental Health Services Authority

Training for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists

Training through an approved training entity is required for all Initial Certification applicants . Trainings by vendors not on this list, or training completed prior to July 1, 2022, will not qualify for initial Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification. You may select and register for training below at any time. 

For scholarship applicants ONLY: Once your application has been approved you may choose a training entity from the list below to receive your Peer Certification training. When you have completed your training, please log into the application dashboard and upload your certificate of completion to your application. Only certificates from one of the below CalMHSA approved entities will be accepted. 

Below are the CalMHSA approved training entities for the core curriculum for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists certified in California. The curriculum will cover the 17 Core Competencies as well as the Code of Ethics. Classes are available in different training methods and modalities. Feel free to select the best fit for you. 

Training Methods include:

  • In-person: Courses taught onsite at scheduled course times so that students can interact with their instructor and classmates in person.
  • Online: Courses that include designated times for interactive experience, virtual break-out rooms, written assignments, and “virtual-live” or pre-recorded presentations by students.
  • Hybrid: Courses that combine onsite in-person activities with online work or instructions. These courses split time between in-person and virtual environments. Peers attend in-person courses at designated times plus engage in virtual learning activities, which may be either synchronous or asynchronous.
  • Asynchronous: Courses that are self-paced allowing an individual to learn on their own schedule, within a certain time period. Peers can use provided asynchronous learning elements like online audio and video and discussion forums at the time and place of their choosing.

Training Providers for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Core Competency Training

Provider – Click for Information!Provider LocationIn PersonOnlineHybridAsynch.Training ModalityTraining HoursTraining Length
California Association of Peer Supporters Academy (CAPS)StatewideXCohort StyleVaries80 Hours
City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CAXCohort StyleVaries Varies
Community Action Marin (CAM)San Rafael, CA XCohort StyleM – F
8:00a- 5:00p
8 Days
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)Chicago, ILXCohort StyleVaries80 hours
Futuro HealthSacramento, CAXIndividual24-hour access80 hours
L.A. CADA AcademyLos Angeles, CAXCohort StyleVaries7 or 13 days
Loyola Marymount University Extension (LMU)Los Angeles, CAXXCohort StyleOnline: M/W or T/TH
6:30p – 9:30p
80 Hours
NAMI CaliforniaSacramento, CAXXCohort StyleM – F
4:30p-8:30p
13 Days
Peer Wellness Collective (formerly Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients)Oakland, CAXCohort StyleM – TH
5:00p-8:30p
4 Weeks
RAMS



San Francisco, CAXClassroomT-TH
10am-2pm
12 weeks
Riverside University Health System – Behavioral HealthRiverside, CAXCohort StyleM – F
8:30a-5:00p
10 Days
Worker Education & Resource Center, Inc. (WERC)Los Angeles, CAXCohort StyleVariesVaries
Cal VoicesSacramento, CAXXCohort Style and Self-directed
M – F
8:00a-5:00p
80 Hours
Copeland Center for Wellness and RecoveryOnsite/Hybrid/OnlineXXXCohort Style
Custom Style
Varies80 Hours
Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc.VariesXXXCohort StyleVaries Varies
Pacific ClinicsStatewideXXXCohort – Live WebinarT – TH
1:00pm -4:00pm
80 Hours
Painted BrainLos Angeles, CAXXXCohort StyleVariesVaries
Parents AnonymousClaremont, CAXXXCohort Style + CustomVariesVaries
RI InternationalVarios LocationsXXXCohort StyleM – F
8:30a–4:30p
80 Hours
San Jose City CollegeSan Jose, CAXXX-Hyflex (Zoom)
-Classroom
Varies1 Semester
SHARE! the Self-Help and Recovery Exchange– Los Angeles, CA
– Culver City, CA
XXXCohort StyleVariesVaries
Tarzana Treatment CentersWoodland Hills, CAXXX– Cohort Style
– Individual
Varies Varies

If you are a training vendor and need to update your information, please email [email protected]