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. Manhattan, New York 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 methodical and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% provide the critical training and clinical resources needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs do not offer supervised practicum hours, which are critical 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 crucial 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 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 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 verifies that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To officially 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 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 clear guidelines on the total 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 course, you will get 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 school and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals with no experience in the field.
To become certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must update their certification each 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help behavioral health specialist enhance 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 make a big difference in your career.
Pursuing behavioral health specialist certification not only proves your competency and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can sharpen their capabilities, grow their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer 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 an all-inclusive study guide, endless 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 on your schedule and from the comfort of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are separate charges for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, take advantage of a broad selection of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as thorough 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 core concepts and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help boost 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 pinpointing 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 immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is available 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 Manhattan, New York. The field of behavioral health is a great entry 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 the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making behavioral health a reliable and worthwhile career choice.
Behavioral Health Specialists typically are scheduled for a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $42,590, though wages can differ depending on location and experience. With increasing5 prospects and a relatively short training period, behavioral health is a great 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 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 sufficient time to review their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a school 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 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 completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific guidelines and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CBHS Certification.
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 instruct for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Manhattan, New York 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 complete the entire process online. If you would like to talk 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.
