CaliforniaCalifornia removes diploma requirement for peer support certification
California removes the diploma requirement for adults seeking peer support specialist certification, while keeping the experience, training, and exam requirements.
What it does
Adults seeking peer support specialist certification no longer need a high school diploma or equivalent. They still must meet the other listed requirements.
Argument forAdults with recovery experience could qualify without a diploma if they meet the other requirements, including training and an exam.
Argument againstSome may worry that removing the diploma requirement could make it harder to ensure applicants have the reading skills needed for training and certification.
More detail
The law removes the high school diploma or equivalent requirement for certification. Applicants must be at least 18 and identify as having experience with recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder, as a service user or as the consumer’s parent or family member. Applicants must still meet the other certification requirements.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 497, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB96 Jackson By Pérez. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Jun 16Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 15From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 4From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 3
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- May 6Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Jan 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Jan 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 3828.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 96 Jackson Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (January 22).Minor
- Jan 22Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3806.)
- Jan 13From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 6Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Jan 5From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.Major
- 2025
- Feb 12Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Feb 11From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.Major
- Feb 3Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Jan 8From printer. May be heard in committee February 7.
- Jan 7Read first time. To print.Introduced
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