Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best behavioral health professional certifications
Behavioral health professional certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an behavioral health professional to employers. However, not all behavioral health professional certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a behavioral health professional are Certified Personal Trainer, Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS), and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Below is a list of the best behavioral health professional certifications. Obtaining an behavioral health professional certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for behavioral health professionals
| Rank | Behavioral health professional certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 2 | Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS) | ACA |
| 3 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 4 | Mental Health | AOTA |
| 5 | Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA) | NHA |
| 6 | Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) | IBFCSM |
6 best behavioral health professional certifications
1. Certified Personal Trainer
The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS)
The purpose of the examination for the Correctional Behavioral Health Certification is to ensure a candidate's knowledge of national standards and guidelines, legal and ethical principles, relevant security regulations, and the role of correctional professionals associated with behavioral health services in jails, prisons, juvenile justice facilities, community corrections, and other correctional facilities operated by special jurisdictions.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
4. Mental Health
Occupational therapy in mental health.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
5. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)
A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)
This certification programs offer recognition among safety and health practitioners, demonstrate competence to employers and others, increase employee confidence in occupational health and safety programs, help improve company profitability through reduced incidents and losses, and enhance the company image. Board of Certified Safety Professionals certifications are viewed by many in safety practice as a stepping stone toward career advancement along the path toward attaining the CSP credential.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for a behavioral health professional?
The best behavioral health professional certification is Certified Personal Trainer. The Certified Personal Trainer is awarded by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this behavioral health professional certification:
- To become a certified Certified Personal Trainer, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for behavioral health professionals?
The most in-demand behavioral health professional certification is Mental Health based on all active job postings. Having this behavioral health professional certification will give you access to more behavioral health professional jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a behavioral health professional career and salary?
The Certified Personal Trainer certification will help you to secure a personal trainer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A personal trainer's average salary is $38,768 whereas behavioral health professionals make an average salary of $43,223.
The most common combination of behavioral health professional certifications include: Certified Personal Trainer, Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS), and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Online courses for behavioral health professionals to earn certifications
1. Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action
Humans often fail to make rational decisions that affect their health. This course seeks to heighten understanding of the social and behavioral factors that contribute to health decisions and behaviors, with an ultimate goal of learning how to utilize these factors in improving public health efforts. Through a set of experiential learning exercises, students will learn to apply the science of health behavior change in their own lives. The course is appropriate for students interested in health...
2. Creating Behavioral Change
In this course you will learn about understanding and changing mental and physical health behavior. We will examine both the historical context and the current science. Major topics will include fundamental behavioral principles and basic elements of empirically supported individual treatments (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies). Lectures and examples will illustrate both the theory and the practice of evidence-based approaches to behavior change. You will engage...
3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
4. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
5. Professionalism in Allied Health
This course will benefit anyone considering a career in allied health, as well as those already working the field. Allied Health Professionals must be committed to the key attributes of professionalism and strive to reflect this within the delivery of patient-centered, safe, and effective care. “Professionalism” is a broad term which reflects many different skills and abilities. For an individual to exhibit professionalism, they must be armed with specific skills and abilities that do not...
6. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health
Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health. Learners will develop the skills to: analyze and tailor a communication effort for different audiences, develop clear messages,...
7. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
8. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
9. Cat Behavior Rectification & Cat Health Care: 2 courses in 1
1. Common Cat Behavior Issues and training methods to rectify them 2. Tips for better healthcare of your cat...
10. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
11. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
12. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
13. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
14. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
15. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
16. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness
Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...
17. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
18. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace
The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...
19. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness
Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...
20. DOG BEHAVIOR & DOG TRAINING: Fix Problems & Animal Behavior
BAD DOG BEHAVIOR? ENROLL NOW! Dog Training, Animal Behavior, Puppy Training, Canine Behavior, Dogs, Puppies/Animals/Pets...