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. Encanto, Arizona 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 program, it’s important to be careful 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 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 required requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Program 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 recognized training program ensures that you receive proper 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 misinterpreted. This document does not make you “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 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 mandatory 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, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number 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 school, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a very common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a behavioral health training school and is required to take 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 competency put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must maintain their certification once every 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 cover 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 maintain and refine their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only proves your skills and commitment to high standards, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can strengthen their expertise, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, endless 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 on your schedule 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 for the certification exam, take advantage of a variety of exam preparation materials to maximize your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are rapidly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials 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 begin your medical career in Encanto, Arizona. Training in behavioral health is an excellent gateway into the medical industry, 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, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, 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 differ depending on geography 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 need to renew their CBHS Certification after two years. A behavioral health specialist should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the behavioral health specialist plenty time to attend their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have 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 credentials 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. 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 deadlines to restore your active status.
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A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly competent 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Encanto, Arizona should tell their 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 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.
