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. Lynn, 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 program, it’s important to be thorough and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each 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 vital for gaining real-world 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 finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to industry guidelines. Program accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, 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 completing a behavioral health specialist training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply proves that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited 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 updated 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 professional practices, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount 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 gainful completion of a behavioral health training program, you will get 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 program and is required to sit for the national certification exam 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 authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must maintain their certification each 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 organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help behavioral health specialist enhance 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 make a big difference in your career.
Earning behavioral health specialist certification not only demonstrates your expertise and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can enhance their capabilities, grow their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, endless 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 at your own pace and from the ease of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides free resources 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 sit for the competency exam, utilize a variety of exam preparation materials to enhance your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of simulated practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are highly beneficial for mirroring 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 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, 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 start your medical career in Lynn, Massachusetts. The field of behavioral health is a great entry 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 expanded healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making behavioral health a secure 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 vary depending on geography and experience. With increasing5 prospects and a fast-track training period, behavioral health is a great 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 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 credentials expires. This will allow the behavioral health specialist enough time to complete their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a behavioral health specialist course or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed from start to finish 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific procedures and deadlines to restore your active status.
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A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly adept Behavioral Health Specialist with over 5 years of experience in the field. Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructors can work 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 Lynn, Massachusetts 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 complete 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.
