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. Midwest City, Oklahoma 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 school, it’s important to be thorough and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% provide the necessary training and practical experience opportunities 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 minimum requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating 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 education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In behavioral health, attending an accredited 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 “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 get 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 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 current with the latest professional practices, techniques, and regulations. 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 successful completion of a behavioral health training class, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a completely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a behavioral health training program 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 skills put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must maintain their certification every 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 cover 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 several 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 proves your competency and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can enhance their capabilities, grow their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for 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, unlimited 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 convenience of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are extra fees for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to take the competency exam, utilize a variety of study resources to boost 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 closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of simulated practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice 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 up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is downloadable 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 Midwest City, Oklahoma. Training in behavioral health is an excellent 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 great demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand helps ensure a positive employment outlook, 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 differ depending on geography and experience. With growing opportunities and a brief training period, behavioral health is a efficient 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 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 acceptable time to complete their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not have 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 ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific procedures and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Behavioral Health Specialist Instructor (CBHSI) is a highly capable Behavioral Health Specialist with greater than 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 instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Midwest City, Oklahoma 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 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.
