AB-96 Mental health services: peer support specialist certification
Sep 6, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0052 · Published 2026-09-06 · Version 2 · Proposed
AB 96 would remove the diploma requirement for peer-support certification without removing the training standard.
What happened
The August 30 enrolled AB 96 proposes eliminating the high-school diploma or equivalent requirement for peer-support specialist certification in the Medi-Cal framework. It retains a minimum age of 18 and recovery experience as a service user or a parent or family member. Applicants would still need willingness to share that experience, dedication to recovery and a written ethics commitment. The dated enrolled text was available before the September 5 cutoff, but remains a proposal rather than an adopted certification change.
The proposed section also requires completion of the curriculum and training and a DHCS-approved certification examination. Ongoing certification continues to depend on ethics adherence, a biennial affirmation and required education, training and recertification. The change therefore concerns an educational entry credential, not exemption from the certification process. County or representative-agency programs remain within the department-approval framework, and an applicant’s lived experience alone would not satisfy all retained criteria.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Proposed
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Programs could broaden recruitment if the bill became law while retaining safeguards that establish and maintain competency.
Recommended action
Monitor legislative disposition, identify the diploma screen that could change and preserve training, examination and ongoing-certification checks pending final authority.
Sources
- AB-96 Mental health services: peer support specialist certification, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-03 · Source review 2026-09-10
- AB-96 Mental health services: peer support specialist certification, current bill text (08/30/26 - Enrolled)Official · California Legislature · 2026-08-30 · Source review 2026-09-10
Complete edition and supplemental material
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