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. Deerfield Beach, Florida 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 school, it’s important to be careful and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all provide the essential training and hands-on components needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs lack supervised practicum hours, which are fundamental for gaining hands-on 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 important factors to consider when comparing a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In behavioral health, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
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 completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero 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 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 current with the latest industry standards, techniques, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the total 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 your completion of a behavioral health training school, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a enormously common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a behavioral health training class and is required to take the national certification test for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To get certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their competency put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must renew their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can take many forms, 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 organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help behavioral health specialist expand and refine their skills.
There are many certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only shows your competency and commitment to high standards, but also supports 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 prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes an all-inclusive study guide, unlimited 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 on your schedule and from the ease of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are extra fees for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to take the competency exam, utilize a wide range of prep tools to maximize your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, 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 well prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are highly beneficial for mirroring 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 certification is stored in your account. Your digital copy, side by side 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 begin your medical career in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Training in behavioral health is a solid gateway 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 expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a strong job outlook, making behavioral health a reliable and appealing 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 location and experience. With increasing5 prospects and a brief 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 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 week their certification expires. This will permit the behavioral health specialist acceptable time to review their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a behavioral health specialist course 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 ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific procedures and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly bright 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 responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Deerfield Beach, Florida 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 speak 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.
