The Wisconsin Peer Specialist Certification webpage (click here) of the UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education is the best place to go for detailed information in regards to the application process for the statewide exam for Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) and Certified Parent Peer Specialists (CPPS).
Online Study Sessions Available!We are offering virtual study sessions for the upcoming CPS and CPPS exams. We are shifting the structure of these study sessions a bit, incorporating feedback from past study sessions to facilitate more of a deeper dive into study content.
Please note: The focus of these study sessions is studying the role of a Certified Peer Specialist/Certified Parent Peer Specialist, refreshing on training material, and making use of breakout rooms for group study. For general exam-related questions, please read the rest of this exams page and our FAQs.
The following study sessions are for those registered to take Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) exam held on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025. If you have not attended a CPS Training held by the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative, please start with registering for a training you qualify for, you can find upcoming trainings by visiting Upcoming Training.
Morning Option:
Friday, September 12th, 2025 from 11:00am – 12:00pm
Click here to register for this study session
Evening Option:
Monday, September 15th, 2024 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Click here to register for this study session
If you need accommodations to participate in the study sessions, please reach out to Kaeden Watford at kaedenw@accesstoind.org. We will make every effort to include reasonable accommodations.
The following study sessions are for those registered to take Certified Parent Peer Specialist (CPPS) exam held on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025. If you have not attended a CPPS Training held by the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative, please start with registering for a training you qualify for, you can find upcoming trainings by visiting Upcoming Training.
If you need accommodations to participate in the study sessions, please reach out to Kaeden Watford at kaedenw@accesstoind.org. We will make every effort to include reasonable accommodations.
Morning Options:
Friday, September 5th, 2025 from 11:00am-12:00pm
Click here to register for this morning study session
Evening Options:
Monday, September 8th, 2025 from 5:00pm-6:00pm
Click here to register for this evening study session
You must have successfully completed the state-approved Peer Specialist Training in order to apply to take the Certification Exam. You may apply to take an exam within one year of your training completion date.
If you have questions about your registration, payment, or exam time slot, email or call Gloria Lane at UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education:
UWM-PeerSpecialist@uwm.edu – 414-227-3352
2025/2026 Online/Remote CPS Exam Dates (upcoming):
November 12, 2025 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by October 15th, 2025)
January 14, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by December 10th, 2025)
March 18, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by February 18th, 2026)
May 6, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by April 8th, 2026)
September 23, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by August 26th, 2026)
You must have successfully completed the state-approved Parent Peer Specialist Training in order to apply to take the Certification Exam. You may apply to take an exam within two year of your training completion date. This is longer acceptable time period for CPPS, because of fewer scheduled exams year to year.
If you have questions about your registration, payment, or exam time slot, email or call Gloria Lane at UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education:
UWM-PeerSpecialist@uwm.edu – 414-227-3352
2025/2026 Online/Remote CPPS Exam Dates (upcoming):
February 18, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by January 21st, 2026)
April 8, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by March 11th, 2026)
September 9, 2026 – (Application deadline: Payment, application, and an uploaded or mailed training Certificate of Completion must be submitted or postmarked by August 12th, 2026)
In-person exams (currently on-hold due to COVID-19) are proctored at the eight Wisconsin Independent Living Centers. Online/remote exams are proctored by UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education with support Independent Living Center staff when needed.
If you require a reasonable accommodation while taking the exam due to a disability, please see our Reasonable Accommodations Request Application (click here).
Reasonable accommodations requests for CPS/CPPS exams must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the exam date.
Personal electronic devices including, but not limited to, phones, laptops, and tablets will not be permitted into the testing area. Purses, backpacks, and similar bag-like personal items similarly will not be permitted into the testing area. We strongly recommend that you leave these items at home, in a car, or with a trusted individual.
All Independent Living Centers that serve as testing sites for in-person exams are fragrance-free. Please do not wear cologne, perfume, or scented body products the day of the exam.
For more information about what to expect on the day of the exam please visit our FAQ page.
