AB 96 removes the education credential requirement for peer support certification
Oct 4, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0052 · Published 2026-10-04 · Version 2 · Final
AB 96 removes the high-school diploma or equivalent credential from California peer support specialist certification. Age, recovery experience, ethics, training, examination and continuing certification conditions remain in the enacted text.
What happened
California enacted AB 96 on September 27, amending Welfare and Institutions Code section 14045.15. The change removes the high-school diploma or equivalent degree requirement from peer support specialist certification within the statutory Medi-Cal framework. It retains the minimum age of 18 and the requirement that an applicant identify as having experience with recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder, either personally as a service consumer or as the consumer’s parent or family member. The removal concerns an educational credential, not the entire certification process. The enactment is the event reported here; the applicable commencement of these provisions must be confirmed separately.
Applicants must still be willing to share their experience, demonstrate a strong dedication to recovery, agree in writing to a code of ethics, complete the required curriculum and training, and pass a DHCS-approved certification examination. Maintaining certification requires adherence to the ethics code with a biennial affirmation and completion of applicable continuing education, training and recertification. Those retained conditions distinguish a reduced entry barrier from permission to use an uncertified worker in a role requiring certification.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Recruitment screens can exclude otherwise eligible people if they retain a diploma condition no longer in the statute. At the same time, changing that screen without verifying training and certification could leave an organization with an incomplete qualification review.
Recommended action
Confirm the applicable commencement before treating the new provisions as current duties. Prepare the following for implementation at that commencement: Prepare recruitment and certification checklist updates that separate the removed diploma requirement from the retained age, recovery, ethics, training and examination conditions. Verify certification maintenance and avoid treating the law as a waiver of all peer-support qualifications.
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
- Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.2026Official · Office of the Governor · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-04
- AB96 enacted final textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-05
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