AB-96 Mental health services: peer support specialist certification
Sep 20, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0052 · Published 2026-09-20 · Version 2 · Proposed
AB 96 proposed removing the school-credential requirement for peer-support certification while retaining training and examination.
What happened
AB 96’s retained proposal would remove the high-school diploma or equivalent-degree requirement from Medi-Cal peer-support specialist certification. The county or representative agency certification framework remains subject to DHCS approval. An applicant would still need to be at least 18, identify relevant recovery experience as a service user or a parent or family member, be willing to share that experience and demonstrate dedication to recovery. The measure remained proposed during this edition’s September 13–19 coverage.
The proposed eligibility section also retains a written ethics commitment, completion of the required curriculum and training, and a department-approved certification examination. Maintaining certification would require adherence to the code of ethics with a biennial affirmation and completion of continuing education, training and recertification requirements. Removing the education credential therefore would not eliminate competency requirements or convert lived experience alone into certification. Programs would need the final law and applicable DHCS implementation before changing admission or certification decisions.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Proposed
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Peer-support recruitment could reach more applicants if enacted, but programs would still need to verify training, examination and ongoing certification.
Recommended action
Monitor the final legislative outcome and prepare to revise the school-credential screen only if authorized, while preserving all other eligibility, ethics and competency checks.
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
This finding in the complete approved report →Regulatory horizons, CIA trends and implementation trackers remain in the full report.
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