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. Denton, Texas 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 course, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each provide the vital training and hands-on components needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs fail to provide supervised practicum hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical 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 finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when researching a program is its accreditation and adherence to professional standards. Program accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In behavioral health, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After completing a behavioral health specialist training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply proves that you’ve finished 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 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 in compliance with the latest industry standards, procedures, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the number 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 class, you will have a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a behavioral health training program and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must update their certification 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 focus on 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 develop their skills.
There are many certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can positively influence your career.
Earning behavioral health specialist certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to quality care, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging 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 require 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, repeated practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the ease of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are separate charges for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to take the credentialing exam, make use of a wide range of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others require payment 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 certification is downloadable in your account. Your digital copy, and 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 Denton, Texas. Training in behavioral health is a great gateway into the medical industry, 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 increased access to healthcare, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a steady job market, making behavioral health a stable and attractive 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 region and experience. With growing opportunities 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 have to renew their CBHS Certification every two years. A behavioral health specialist should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will permit the behavioral health specialist plenty time to complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go register 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 following 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and processing 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 competent Behavioral Health Specialist with greater than 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 Denton, Texas 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.
