Updates & Announcements - CA Peer Certification

Last Updated 10/5/22
The Peer Certification team is currently ONLY processing applications for individuals who have been identified for scholarships by their County mental health and/or substance use disorder programs (also referred to as Behavioral Health Plans). If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, you will need to contact your County directly. If you do not have a scholarship, we will process your application once we open processing up to general applicants (those without scholarships). Please check back regularly for updates. This page will be updated as soon as announcements become available. Please note that program staff have up to 20 days to process your application. Due to the high volume of calls and emails we are currently receiving, please wait to contact us after the 20-day processing window. It is common for your application to show as “pending” over this time. Please rest assured that your application WILL be processed in due time.
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES: Scholarships for both initial AND grandparenting candidates must be utilized by November 30^th, 2022. This means that your application needs to be submitted by this date. This date only applies to those who have been referred for scholarships by their County Behavioral Health Plans. Candidates for initial certification must be registered for training by December 31, 2022 to utilize their scholarship. If you are not registered with a CalMHSA approved training vendor by December 31, 2022, you will lose your scholarship. Candidates for grandparenting certification must be registered for the exam by December 31, 2022 to utilize their scholarship. If you are not registered for the certification exam by December 31, 2022, you will lose your scholarship.
TRAINING: Initial certification requires completion of an 80-hour training course through a CalMHSA APPROVED training vendor. Trainings through an approved training entity is required for applicants seeking certification under the initial certification pathway. A candidate MUST show a certification of completion by an approved training entity at the time of submitting an application for certification. Only certificates from a CalMHSA approved entity will be accepted. You will find more information by clicking on the training vendor icons here: Approved Training Entities – CA Peer Certification
EXAM: Individuals who have been selected for scholarships are eligible to sign up as Initial Test Takers for the certification exam. To learn more about the exam and to register as an initial test taker, please visit: Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Examination (PSSC) – CalMHSA // Pearson VUE Please note that you must reschedule or cancel your exam at the above link. For technology related concerns and questions on the examination for certification, please contact Pearson Vue directly at 888-536-1460. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM CT. Send an email here: Email form :: Americas region :: Test takers :: Pearson VUE. Please note that the examination is only offered online at this time.
SPECIALIZATIONS & SUPERVISOR TRAININGS: The specialization and supervisor trainings are still currently under development. This page will be updated as soon as additional information becomes available.
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California Mental Health Services Authority