Applies To:
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California
Peer Support Specialists
- CMPSS
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) — pronounced “Cal-mey-suh”— is a Joint Powers of Authority (JPA), comprised of County Mental and Behavioral Health Departments. Our board of directors is made up of county behavioral health directors. Our purpose is to be a separate public entity to provide administrative and fiscal services in support of the Members’ Mental/Behavioral Health Departments acting alone or in collaboration with other Departments.
CalMHSA is proud to be the certifying entity for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists Certification in California. We are responsible for the certification, examination, and enforcement of professional standards for the certification. CalMHSA manages the California Certification Registry, Including investigating consumer complaints and imposes disciplinary actions against a Certificant who violates the Code of Ethics.
The California Mental Services Authority follows state standards for the certification of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California in accordance with Chapter 7, Part 3, Article 1.4, Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&division=9.&title=&part=3.&chapter=7.&article=1.4.
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Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (CMPSS) provide recovery-oriented, culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, natural supports and are trauma aware.
INITIAL CERTIFICATION: 80-Hour Training through an approved training provider is required for all Initial Certification applicants. Trainings by providers not on this list, or training completed prior to the provider being approved by CalMHSA, will not qualify for initial Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification. You may select and register for training at any time: https://www.capeercertification.org/training-for-medi-cal-peer-support-specialist/
RECERTIFICATION: To maintain certification, a certified MPSS must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years from the date of the initial certification and thereafter for renewal. Six hours of law and ethics are required during each two-year cycle. Eligible continuing education courses promote professional development, aimed at enhancing the quality of care provided. Applicants are responsible for taking courses within their scope of practice.
To satisfy the renewal requirements, courses must be non-repetitive (i.e., the same CE course cannot be claimed more than one time during each certification period, even if the course was taken annually). Courses may be taken in various ways, including asynchronous, in-person, and online and through a variety of trainers.
For a directory of CalMHSA-approved CE training providers: https://www.capeercertification.org/ce-training-providers/.
Please note that CMPSS can obtain CEs from other providers, provided they meet the criteria specified on The CalMHSA Certification Renewal and Continuing Education (CE) webpage: https://www.capeercertification.org/certification-renewal-continued-education-requirements/
Board Contact Info
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
1610 Arden Way Ste. 175, Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: (279) 234-0699
Email: PeerCertification@calmhsa.org
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
INITIAL:
Training through an approved training provider is required for all Initial Certification applicants. Trainings by providers not on this list, or training completed prior to the provider being approved by CalMHSA, will not qualify for initial Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification. You may select and register for training at any time: https://www.capeercertification.org/training-for-medi-cal-peer-support-specialist/
RECERTIFICATION:
20 CE hours every 2 years from the date of initial certification, including 6 hours of law and ethics.
https://www.capeercertification.org/certification-renewal-continued-education-requirements/
Initial Credential
80 CE credit hours required for initial credential.
No You cannot use online courses for your initial CMPSS credential.
Credential Renewal
20 CE credit hours required for renewal.
Yes You can use Addiction Counselor CE for renewing your CMPSS credential.
Addiction Counselor CE does not currently offer any courses applicable to this credential.
Course Description | Medium |
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Course Description | Medium |
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Efficacy and Acceptability of Interventions for Co-occurring PTSD and SUD: A Meta-analysis
1.5 CE credit hour
Clinical Topics & Methods; Counseling (Theory and Techniques); Professional Readiness; Treatment Knowledge |
Reading-Based Online |
Best Practices for Successful Reentry From Criminal Justice Settings for People Living With Mental Health Conditions And/or Substance Use Disorders: EVIDENCE-BASED RESOURCE GUIDE SERIES
4 CE credit hours
Forensic, Criminal Justice; Service Coordination |
Reading-Based Online |
Unveiling Shame: Nurturing Resilience and Agency
3 CE credit hours
Clinical Topics & Methods; Counseling (Theory and Techniques); Application to Practice |
Recorded Webinar |
Requirements for Clinical Record-Keeping: From the Basic to the Complicated
2 CE credit hours
Laws, Regulations, Legal; Documentation |
Recorded Webinar |
A Primer on Non-Medical Prescription Opioid Misuse: Prevalence, Trends, and Clinical Implications
3 CE credit hours
Clinical Topics & Methods; Prevention; Counseling (Theory and Techniques) |
Recorded Webinar |
Mixed Methods Evaluation of Satisfaction With Two Culturally Tailored Substance Use Prevention Programs for American Indian and Alaska Native Emerging Adults
1.5 CE credit hour
Prevention |
Reading-Based Online |
Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA): Practice Guide 2023
3.75 CE credit hours
Application to Practice; Addictions, Substance Use; Counseling (Theory and Techniques) |
Reading-Based Online |
EMDR and Narrative Therapy Techniques to Resolve Trauma
3 CE credit hours
Clinical Topics & Methods; Counseling (Theory and Techniques); Application to Practice; Treatment Knowledge |
Recorded Webinar |
Scoping Review of Interventions to Link Individuals to Substance Use Services At Discharge from Jail
1.25 CE credit hour
Treatment Knowledge; Application to Practice; Forensic, Criminal Justice; Addictions, Substance Use |
Reading-Based Online |
Planning Primer-Developing a Theory of Change, Logic Models and Strategic and Action Plans
2.25 CE credit hours
Prevention |
Reading-Based Online |