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. Columbus, Ohio 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 choosing a behavioral health specialist training program, it’s important to be careful and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% provide the essential training and practical experience opportunities needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs fail to provide supervised practicum hours, which are required for gaining real-world experience in patient assessment, crisis intervention, and therapeutic communication. Without these practicum hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when comparing a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In behavioral health, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive comprehensive education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.
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 a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist. It simply proves 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 establish national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be maintained 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 regulations, advancements, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it straightforward 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 gainful completion of a behavioral health training program, you will earn 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 your completion of a behavioral health training school and is required to sit for the national certification examination for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To become 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 renew their certification each two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can come in multiple formats, 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 positively influence your career.
Pursuing behavioral health specialist certification not only demonstrates your competency and commitment to quality care, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can strengthen their knowledge, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, unlimited 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 with flexibility and from the ease of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are separate charges for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, utilize a wide range 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 evaluating prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is provided in your account. Your digital copy, paired 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 Columbus, Ohio. Behavioral Health Specialist is a great starting point into the medical workforce, 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 increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, making behavioral health a stable 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 differ depending on geography and experience. With increasing5 prospects and a brief training period, behavioral health is a efficient way to begin a meaningful 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 start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the behavioral health specialist acceptable time to review their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a training program 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 next two year 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly proficient Behavioral Health Specialist with over 5 years of experience in the field. Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructors can teach for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Columbus, Ohio should provide students details about 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 prefer to talk with someone about 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.
