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. Boston, Massachusetts 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 selecting a behavioral health specialist training school, it’s important to be thorough and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% provide the vital training and hands-on components needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs do not offer 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 required requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when comparing a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In behavioral health, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After finishing a behavioral health specialist training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misunderstood. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply confirms that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To get certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps define national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be renewed every two years, and completing continuing education is a key requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that Certified Behavioral Health Specialist remain up to date with the latest regulations, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple 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 program, you will have a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a entirely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a behavioral health training program and is required to take the national certification test for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must update their certification once every 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 focus on the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in behavioral health. Many professional associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help behavioral health specialist expand and develop their skills.
There are many certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only shows your expertise and commitment to quality care, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can sharpen their capabilities, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require 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 comprehensive study guide, repeated practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the comfort of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to take the competency exam, make use of a broad selection of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, 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 fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are invaluable for replicating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is downloadable 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 Boston, Massachusetts. The field of behavioral health is a great starting point into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified behavioral health specialists are in high demand across the healthcare industry due to the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand helps ensure a strong job outlook, making behavioral health a reliable and appealing career choice.
Behavioral Health Specialists typically perform a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $42,590, though wages can differ depending on geography and experience. With increasing5 prospects and a relatively short training period, behavioral health is a efficient way to begin a rewarding 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 need to renew their CBHS Certification every two years. A behavioral health specialist should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will allow the behavioral health specialist sufficient time to attend their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not have 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 new two year 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific procedures and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly competent Behavioral Health Specialist with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructors can work for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Boston, Massachusetts 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 finalize 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.
