Behavioral Health Specialists play a key role in the medical field. Their main responsibilities include assessing patients’ mental health, implementing crisis intervention strategies, and coordinating therapeutic care to support emotional and behavioral well-being. Here we will outline the entire process of becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist (CBHS).
The first step to your career as a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist (CBHS) is enrolling in a state-approved training program. Atlanta, Georgia offers numerous accredited courses designed to prepare you for this role. These programs generally include 40–80 hours of classroom instruction. Class sizes typically range from 10 to 30 students, ensuring focused support and hands-on learning.
When evaluating a behavioral health specialist training school, it’s important to be methodical and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all provide the necessary training and clinical resources needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs fail to provide supervised practicum hours, which are required for gaining practical experience in patient assessment, crisis intervention, and therapeutic communication. Without these practicum hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In behavioral health, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After completing a behavioral health specialist training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply proves that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To become certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps set national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be updated every two years, and completing continuing education is a core requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that Certified Behavioral Health Specialist remain in compliance with the latest professional practices, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the total and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy for professionals to maintain their credentials.
If you are planning to attend a behavioral health specialist training program and would like an NPS adviser to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon successful completion of a behavioral health training course, you will have a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a completely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a behavioral health training course and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To become certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their competency put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must update their certification each two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can be completed in several ways, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often include the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in behavioral health. Many professional credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help behavioral health specialist expand and develop their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only shows your competency and commitment to high standards, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can strengthen their expertise, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, repeated practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed fully online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the comfort of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are additional costs for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to sit for the competency exam, make use of a broad selection of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are hastily inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is stored in your account. Your digital copy, along with your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
Now that you’re a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS), you’re ready to start your medical career in Atlanta, Georgia. Training in behavioral health is a solid entry point into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified behavioral health specialists are in strong demand across the healthcare industry due to the growth of healthcare services, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand helps ensure a strong job outlook, making behavioral health a secure and worthwhile career choice.
Behavioral Health Specialists typically work a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $42,590, though wages can fluctuate depending on geography and experience. With expanding job openings and a fast-track training period, behavioral health is a efficient way to begin a fulfilling healthcare career.
NPS works with multiple staffing agencies to help our members find a career in the behavioral health field.
Certified Behavioral Health Specialists will be required to renew their CBHS Certification every two years. A behavioral health specialist should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their credentials expires. This will allow the behavioral health specialist satisfactory time to review their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a school or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your certification for the following two year time period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the behavioral health specialist field.
If your certification expires, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CBHS Certification.
A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly adept Behavioral Health Specialist with over 5 years of experience in the field. Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructors can instruct for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Atlanta, Georgia should provide students with the instructors background and credentials.
If a behavioral health specialist meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) they can undergo the entire process online. If you would like to request to speak with someone regarding the process, contact us today.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI)).
National Performance Specialists is also partnered with the American Red Cross to provide job placement assistance to NPS Members and to assist the American Red Cross in recruiting quality candidates across the United States.
All NPS certification programs are proudly listed within the Certification Finder by CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and is a proud partner of the AmericanJobCenter network.
