ARTICLE 1.4. Peer Support Specialist Certification Program [14045.10. - 14045.21.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 1.4.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.10. Section 14045.10.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Peer providers in California provide individualized support, coaching, facilitation, and education to clients with mental health care needs and substance use disorders in a variety of settings. Yet, no statewide scope of practice, standardized curriculum, training standards, supervision standards, or certification protocol is available. (b) The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and at least 48 states utilize standardized curricula and certification protocols for peer support services. (c) The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes that the experiences of peer support specialists, as part of an evidence-based model of care, can be an important component in a state’s delivery of effective mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The CMS encourages states to offer comprehensive programs. (d) A substantial number of research studies demonstrate that peer supports improve client functioning, increase client satisfaction, reduce family burden, alleviate depression and other symptoms, reduce homelessness, reduce hospitalizations and hospital days, increase client activation, and enhance client self-advocacy. (e) Certification can increase the diversity and effectiveness of the behavioral health workforce through the use of peers with lived experience.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.11. Section 14045.11.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the peer support specialist certification program, established under this article, achieve all of the following: (a) Support the ongoing provision of services for individuals experiencing mental health care needs, substance use disorder needs, or both, by certified peer support specialists. (b) Support coaching, linkage, and skill building of individuals with mental health needs, substance use disorder needs, or both, and to families or significant support persons. (c) Increase family support by building on the strengths of families and helping them achieve a better understanding of mental illness in order to help individuals achieve desired outcomes. (d) Support collaboration with others providing care or support to the individual or family. (e) Assist parents, families, and individuals in developing coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills in order to help individuals achieve desired outcomes. (f) Promote skill building for individuals in the areas of socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services. (g) Encourage employment under the peer support specialist certification to reflect the culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health service experiences, and substance use disorder experiences of the individuals the peer support specialists serve.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.12. Section 14045.12.

For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: (a) “Certification” means the activities related to the verification that an individual has met all of the requirements under this article and that the individual may provide peer support specialist services pursuant to this article. (b) “Certified” means all federal and state requirements have been satisfied by an individual who is seeking designation under this article, including completion of curriculum and training requirements, testing, and agreement to uphold and abide by the code of ethics. (c) “Code of ethics” means the standards to which a peer support specialist is required to adhere. (d) “Core competencies” means the foundational and essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required for peer specialists. (e) “Cultural competence” means a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system or agency that enables that system or agency to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. A culturally competent system of care acknowledges and incorporates, at all levels, the importance of language and culture, intersecting identities, assessment of cross-cultural relations, knowledge and acceptance of dynamics of cultural differences, expansion of cultural knowledge, and adaptation of services to meet culturally unique needs to provide services in a culturally competent manner. (f) “Department” means the State Department of Health Care Services. (g) “Peer support specialist” means an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted certification under a county peer support specialist certification program. (h) “Peer support specialist services” means culturally competent services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Peer support specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services, support, coaching, facilitation, or education that is individualized and is conducted by a certified peer support specialist. (i) “Recovery” means a process of change through which an individual improves their health and wellness, lives a self-directed life, and strives to reach their full potential. This process of change recognizes cultural diversity and inclusion, and honors the different routes to resilience and recovery based on the individual and their cultural community.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.13. Section 14045.13.

By July 1, 2022, subject to Section 14045.19, the department shall do all of the following: (a) Establish statewide requirements for counties, or an agency representing counties, to use in developing certification programs for the certification of peer support specialists. (b) Define the qualifications, range of responsibilities, practice guidelines, and supervision standards for peer support specialists. The department may utilize best practice materials published by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and related notable experts in the field as a basis for development of these definitions. (c) Determine curriculum and core competencies required for certification of an individual as a peer support specialist, including curriculum that may be offered in areas of specialization, including, but not limited to, transition-age youth, veterans, gender identity, sexual orientation, and any other areas of specialization identified by the department. Core-competencies-based curriculum shall include, at a minimum, training related to all of the following elements: (1) The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness. (2) The role of advocacy. (3) The role of consumers and family members. (4) Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery principles, including defined practices. (5) Cultural competence training. (6) Trauma-informed care. (7) Group facilitation skills. (8) Self-awareness and self-care. (9) Cooccurring disorders of mental health and substance use. (10) Conflict resolution. (11) Professional boundaries and ethics. (12) Preparation for employment opportunities, including study and test-taking skills, application and résumé preparation, interviewing, and other potential requirements for employment. (13) Safety and crisis planning. (14) Navigation of, and referral to, other services. (15) Documentation skills and standards. (16) Confidentiality. (d) Specify peer support specialist employment training requirements, including core-competencies-based training and specialized training necessary to become certified under this article, and require training to include people with lived experience as consumers and family members. (e) Establish a code of ethics. (f) Determine continuing education requirements for biennial certification renewal. (g) Determine the process for initial certification issuance and biennial certification renewal. (h) Determine a process for investigation of complaints and corrective action, including suspension and revocation of certification and appeals. (i) Determine a process for an individual employed as a peer support specialist on January 1, 2022, to obtain certification under this article. (j) Determine requirements for peer support specialist certification reciprocity between counties, and for peer support specialists from out of state. (k) Seek any federal approvals, related to the statewide certification standards, that it deems necessary to implement this article. For any federal approvals that the department deems necessary related to the statewide certification standards, this article shall be implemented only if and to the extent that the department obtains those federal approvals.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.14. Section 14045.14.

(a) Subject to department approval, a county, or an agency representing the county, may develop a peer support specialist certification program in accordance with this article and any standards established by the department. That county, or an agency representing that county, shall oversee and enforce the certification requirements developed pursuant to this article. To request department approval of the county peer support specialist program, a county, or an agency representing the county, shall do all of the following: (1) Submit to the department a peer support specialist program plan describing how the peer support specialist program will meet all of the federal and state requirements for the certification and oversight of peer support specialists. (2) Submit to periodic reviews conducted by the department to ensure adherence to all federal and state requirements. (3) Submit annual peer support specialist program reports to the department. (b) If a county chooses not to develop peer support specialist certification programs in accordance with this article, the county may fund peer programs to the extent those programs meet all requirements of the applicable funding source. (c) The Legislature finds that peer support specialist certification is conducted at the state level in other states, but this section passes this responsibility to counties. Subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, the state shall fund the startup costs to implement this section.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.15. Section 14045.15.

(a) To receive a certification under this article, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) Be at least 18 years of age. (2) Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree. (3) Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer. (4) Be willing to share their experience. (5) Have a strong dedication to recovery. (6) Agree, in writing, to adhere to a code of ethics. (7) Successfully complete the curriculum and training requirements for a peer support specialist. (8) Pass a certification examination approved by the department for a peer support specialist. (b) To maintain certification under this article, a certified peer support specialist shall meet both of the following requirements: (1) Adhere to the code of ethics and biennially sign an affirmation. (2) Complete any required continuing education, training, and recertification requirements.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.16. Section 14045.16.

This article does not authorize an individual who is certified pursuant to this article to diagnose an illness, prescribe medication, or provide clinical services.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.17. Section 14045.17.

The department shall solicit stakeholder input that may include input from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, peer support and family organizations, mental health services and substance use disorder treatment providers and organizations, the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, and the California Behavioral Health Planning Council in implementing this article. Consultation shall include regular stakeholder meetings. The department may additionally conduct technical workgroups upon the request of stakeholders.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.18. Section 14045.18.

A participating county, or an agency representing a participating county, is authorized to establish a certification fee schedule for the purpose of supporting the activities associated with the ongoing administration of the peer support specialist certification program. Before the fee schedule may be implemented, the department shall review and either approve or disapprove the fee schedule of the participating county or an agency representing the participating county.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.19. Section 14045.19.

(a) The department shall seek any federal waivers it deems necessary to establish a demonstration or pilot project for the provision of peer support services in counties that agree to participate and provide the necessary nonfederal share funding for the demonstration or pilot project. The demonstration or pilot project shall do all of the following: (1) Include a peer support specialist certified pursuant to this article as a Medi-Cal provider type for purposes of the demonstration or pilot project. (2) Include peer support specialist services as a distinct service type in counties that opt in to the demonstration or pilot project. (3) Develop and implement one or more billing codes, reimbursement rates, and claiming requirements for peer support specialist services. (b) (1) This section does not require a county to participate in a demonstration or pilot project pursuant to this section. A county that opts to participate in a demonstration or pilot project and provide the necessary nonfederal share funding shall be considered to do so voluntarily for purposes of all state and federal laws. (2) A county that opts to participate in a demonstration or pilot project pursuant to this section agrees to fund the nonfederal share of any applicable expenditures through certified public expenditures or intergovernmental transfers in accordance with Section 433.51 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Each participating county shall certify that the local funds it uses to fund the nonfederal share of expenditures pursuant to this section qualify for federal financial participation pursuant to applicable federal Medicaid laws and any terms of federal approval, in the form and manner as required by the department. (3) Demonstration or pilot projects developed and implemented pursuant to this section shall not constitute a mandate of a new program or higher level of service that has an overall effect of increasing the costs mandated by the 2011 realignment legislation for the counties that opt in to a demonstration or pilot project. (4) General Fund moneys shall not be used to fund the nonfederal share of any expenditures made pursuant to a demonstration or pilot project under this section. (c) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent that the department obtains any necessary federal approvals, and federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.20. Section 14045.20.

For the purpose of implementing this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, including contracts for the purpose of obtaining subject matter expertise or other technical assistance. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the State Administrative Manual, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services or the Department of Technology.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14045.21. Section 14045.21.

Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article, in whole or in part, by means of plan or county letters, information notices, plan or provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026