AB-96 Mental health services: peer support specialist certification
Sep 27, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0052 · Published 2026-09-27 · Version 2 · Proposed
AB 96 proposes removing the education credential for peer-support certification while retaining age, experience, ethics, training and examination requirements.
What happened
AB 96’s peer-support certification proposal would remove the high-school diploma or equivalent requirement from Welfare and Institutions Code 14045.15. The change concerns one eligibility credential in the county or county-representative certification framework, subject to DHCS approval. For this edition’s September 20–26 coverage, it remains a proposal rather than an already operative removal of certification requirements.
The text retains a minimum age of eighteen, self-identification with recovery experience as a consumer or a consumer’s parent or family member, willingness to share that experience, dedication to recovery and written agreement to a code of ethics. An applicant still must complete the curriculum and training and pass a DHCS-approved examination. Maintaining certification separately requires a biennial ethics affirmation and applicable continuing education, training and recertification. Removing the education credential would therefore change recruitment screening without eliminating competency or ongoing certification controls.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Proposed
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Peer-workforce recruitment can be assessed separately from the training, examination and ethics requirements that the proposal retains.
Recommended action
Monitor the proposal and map the education credential in recruitment and certification checklists. Keep existing certification requirements until an applicable enacted change takes effect.
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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