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. Miramar, Florida 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 methodical and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one provide the necessary training and hands-on components needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs fail to provide 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 required requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most important 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 misunderstood. This document does not make you a Certified Behavioral Health Specialist. It simply confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior 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 up to date with the latest industry standards, advancements, and guidelines. 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 gainful completion of a behavioral health training course, you will have 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 sit for the national certification exam for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their skills 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 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 expand and advance their skills.
There are several 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.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only proves your expertise and commitment to professional excellence, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can enhance their knowledge, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a strong 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 100% 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 additional costs for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered for the competency exam, take advantage of a variety of exam preparation materials to maximize your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of simulated practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for simulating the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is made 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 begin your medical career in Miramar, Florida. Behavioral Health Specialist is a solid gateway into the medical field, 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 growing elderly population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand contributes to a positive employment outlook, making behavioral health a stable and worthwhile career choice.
Behavioral Health Specialists typically perform 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 fast-track 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 have to renew their CBHS Certification every two years. A behavioral health specialist should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the behavioral health specialist plenty time to review 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 credentials for the new 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 becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with 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 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Miramar, Florida 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 prefer to speak 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.
