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. Waltham, Massachusetts 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 methodical and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all provide the necessary training and clinical resources 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 eligibility requirements for national CBHS certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when researching a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. 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 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 verifies that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero 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 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 in compliance with the latest professional practices, procedures, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the amount 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 school, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a extremely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a behavioral health training class and is required to take the national certification test for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a behavioral health specialist must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a behavioral health specialist must renew their certification once 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 advance their skills.
There are many 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 demonstrates your skills and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, behavioral health specialist can enhance their knowledge, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a standout 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 with flexibility and from the convenience of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are extra fees for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Behavioral Health Specialists (CBHS).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, make use of a variety of exam preparation materials to enhance your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as comprehensive 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 theoretical knowledge 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 boost your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for mirroring the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are rapidly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is stored in your account. Your digital copy, and 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 Waltham, Massachusetts. Behavioral Health Specialist 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 high demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making behavioral health a secure and attractive 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 fluctuate depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings 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 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 credentials expires. This will permit the behavioral health specialist acceptable time to attend their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to a behavioral health specialist course 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 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps 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 greater 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 Waltham, Massachusetts 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 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.
