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. Palm Harbor, 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 course, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each provide the vital training and practical experience opportunities needed for a career in behavioral health. In fact, some programs fail to provide supervised practicum hours, which are required for gaining hands-on 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 crucial factors to consider when evaluating a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is an official endorsement 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 proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After graduating from a behavioral health specialist training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero 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 maintained 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 up to date with the latest industry standards, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number 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 your 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 completion of a behavioral health training school and is required to take the national certification examination for individuals with 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 update their certification every 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 advance their skills.
There are many certification agencies that behavioral health specialist can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining behavioral health specialist certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can sharpen their capabilities, 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 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 on your schedule and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are separate charges for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to take the credentialing exam, utilize a variety of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial for replicating 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 certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is provided 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 Palm Harbor, Florida. The field of behavioral health is an excellent 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 rise in senior patients, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand contributes to a positive employment outlook, making behavioral health a secure 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 vary depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings and a brief training period, behavioral health is a efficient 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 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 attend their continuing education hours and attempt 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 from start to finish online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the next two year time 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 reinstatement options. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CBHS Certification.
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 work for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Palm Harbor, 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 like 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.
