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. Mansfield, 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 choosing a behavioral health specialist training course, it’s important to be thorough 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 lack supervised practicum hours, which are vital 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 graduate from the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when comparing a program is its accreditation and adherence to industry guidelines. 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 recognized training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After finishing a behavioral health specialist training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist. 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 get 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 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 in compliance with the latest regulations, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined 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 successful completion of a behavioral health training class, 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 successful completion of a behavioral health training program and is required to attempt the national certification examination for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To become 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 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 maintain and refine their skills.
There are several certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can significantly impact your career.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only proves your competency and commitment to professional excellence, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can strengthen their knowledge, expand 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 with flexibility and from the comfort of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are extra fees for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, utilize a broad selection of prep tools to enhance 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 reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material 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 replicate 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 highly beneficial for simulating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is available 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 start your medical career in Mansfield, Texas. Behavioral Health Specialist is a great starting point into the medical workforce, 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 expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand contributes to a steady job market, making behavioral health a reliable and appealing 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 vary depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings and a relatively short training period, behavioral health is a great way to begin a fulfilling 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 review their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not have to go register to a training program 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 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult 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 talented Behavioral Health Specialist with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructors can work for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Mansfield, Texas 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 undergo the entire process online. If you would prefer 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.
