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Best behavioral specialist certifications
Behavioral specialist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an behavioral specialist to employers. However, not all behavioral specialist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a behavioral specialist are Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS), and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
Below is a list of the best behavioral specialist certifications. Obtaining an behavioral specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
11 best certifications for behavioral specialists
11 best behavioral specialist certifications
1. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
The Board Certified Behavior Analyst is an independent practitioner who also may work as an employee or independent contractor for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic (e.g., analogue) behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions. The BCBA is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in unfamiliar situations and for a range of cases.
- 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 1 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. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
The Registered Behavior Technician is a paraprofessional who practices under ongoing supervision.
- 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)
4. Board Certified Specialist in School Psychology
School psychology is a general practice and health service provider specialty of professional psychology. School psychologists apply the science and practice of psychology to youth, families, learners of all ages, and the schooling process. School psychology practice promotes the protection and fosters the promotion of the educational and personal development of students.
- 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?
5. Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW)
Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal system, both criminal and civil. Forensic social workers help children and families involved in custody issues, including but not limited to separation, divorce, neglect, and the termination of parental rights. The social workers also deal with the implications of child and spouse abuse. Forensic social workers may work in a number of settings, including juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment programs.
- 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? No
6. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)
- 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? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS)
- 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 1 year(s)
8. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the Seven Areas of Responsibilities: a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies defining the role of an entry-level health educator.
- 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? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
Established in 1981, the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is a non-profit, international organization dedicated to professional excellence for the protection of consumers through the certification of recreation therapists. Professional recognition is granted by NCTRC to individuals who apply and meet established standards for certification, including education, experience, and continuing professional development. The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential is offered to qualified individuals based on these stringent requirements. NCTRC supports quality human service and health care standards and maintains recognition by the Joint Commission and the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). NCTRC provides credential verification services to employers and health care agencies. These services are strongly encouraged by NCTRC to monitor personnel adherence to the standards of the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
- 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 5 year(s)
10. Certified Healthcare Safety Professional - Fire Safety Management (CHSP-FSM)
The International Board for Certification of Safety Managers, also known as BCHCM, is proud to announce the new healthcare Fire Safety Management (FSM) designation. The FSM is a specialty endorsement designation to the existing Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) credential. Applicants for the new FSM designation must hold the CHSP and be in good standing with the Board. Any CHSP member can apply to sit for the FSM exam by completing an on-line application and paying the current examination fee of $150. There is currently no application fee. The Board does not need any supporting documentation such as reference forms or transcripts. The FSM exam is comprehensive in scope and contains from 80-100 multiple choice questions. The exam is challenging but does not contain questions requiring math or engineering calculations. The exam content has been developed with the assistance of practicing professionals and subject matter experts. The Board statistically analyzes each exam to ensure the validity of all questions. The Board also uses analytical techniques to ensure the reliability of each exam version to access the competency of each candidate. Each exam may contain 5 to 10 "trial questions" that are being validated for use on future exam forms.
- 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)
11. Educational Certificate: K-12 (Ed:)
Holders of this recognition certification have demonstrated the ability to expressively interpret classroom content and discourse and the ability to receptively interpret student or teen sign language. It is not limited to any one sign language or system. This certification is issued to interpreters who work with students and teenagers who use predominately American Sign Language (ASL), Manually-Coded English (MCE) and Pidgin Sign English (PSE). Holders also demonstrate proficiency in the voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice interpreting skills of interpreters who work in the elementary and secondary school classroom setting.
- 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? Yes
- Renewal required?
What is the best certification for a behavioral specialist?
The best behavioral specialist certification is Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is awarded by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this behavioral specialist certification:
- To become a certified Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for behavioral specialists?
The most in-demand behavioral specialist certification is Board Certified Behavior Analyst based on all active job postings. Having this behavioral specialist certification will give you access to more behavioral specialist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a behavioral specialist career and salary?
The Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification will help you to secure a behavior analyst position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A behavior analyst's average salary is $64,562 whereas behavioral specialists make an average salary of $42,029.
The most common combination of behavioral specialist certifications include: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS), and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
Online courses for behavioral specialists to earn certifications
1. 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...
2. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff
Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...
3. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
4. [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!...
5. The Critical Role of IT Support Staff in Healthcare
This is a very exciting time to be exploring a career in Health IT Support! In this introductory course, you’ll learn about various roles in IT support that are common in healthcare. IT support staff play critical roles in many different healthcare venues. In addition to helping clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms, you may end up providing support in a skilled nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, virtual care setting, or even a patient’s home! On any given day, you may interact...
6. 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...
7. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
8. Applied Behavioural Analysis(ABA): Application and therapy
# 1 rank Applied Behavioral Analysis(ABA)course. Step by step understanding and applications on ABA intervention...
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. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
11. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Life Coach Specialty
CBT Life Coaching: Emotional Intelligence - Tools for Overcoming Negative Emotions like Anxiety, Fear, Undue Stress...
12. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
13. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT Life Coaching Certification
CBT: Emotional intelligence transform your life - stop self-sabotage while earning your life coaching credentials...
14. Dog & Cat Behavior Problems
Learn the essential training techniques you'll need to raise a pet dog or cat and fix common behavior problems...
15. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
16. 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...
17. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
18. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Certificate
Become a certified CBT practitioner and learn to use cognitive behavior therapy to improve people's mental health...
19. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
20. Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
The Comprehensive Overview - An Accredited & Certificated Course...