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Best mental health technician certifications

The best certifications for a mental health technician are Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Mental health technician certifications demonstrate your competency as a mental health technician to employers. However, not all mental health technician certifications provide the same value.

Below is a list of the best mental health technician certifications. Obtaining a mental health technician certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

20 best mental health technician certifications

1. Medical Assistant

The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.

Certification details
  • 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 1 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...

2. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) draws blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks, or similar facilities for analysis or other medical purposes.

Certification details
  • 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)

3. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Certifying organization
National Registry of Emergency...

4. Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT)

The Certified Mental Health Technician is one of NHA's National Certification Examination that is designed for only healthcare school graduates and medical professionals. To be eligible you must be a graduate of a healthcare training program, or have 1 or more years of full time job experience.

Certification details
  • 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? No

5. Mental Health

Occupational therapy in mental health.

Certification details
  • 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
Certifying website
Mental Health

6. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
udemy
4.7
(2,374)

7. 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.

Certification details
  • 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
Certifying organization
National Safety Council
Course that help you to prepare for certification
First Aid & CPR - An in Depth Guide to CPR, AED and Choking
udemy
4.8
(452)

8. Basic Life Support (BLS)

The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Certifying website
Basic Life Support
Certifying organization
American Heart Association

9. Medication Aide Certification (MACE)

The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) is a national medication aide certification examination administered to nurse aides who choose to receive additional training to become certified medication aides. NCSBN develops the MACE examination and administers the exam with the contractual assistance of Pearson VUE. Once certified, these medication aides serve an important role in hospitals and long-term care facilities by helping distribute medications and monitoring for adverse reactions.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
National Council of State...

10. Patient Care Technician

1. Completion of an Approved Patient Care Technician Program 2. Minimum of 80 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Phlebotomy 4. Must Be Certified Nursing Assistant 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Certifying website
Patient Care Technician
Certifying organization
American Phlebotomy Association

11. Certified Nurse Technician (CNT)

Certification details
  • 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
Certifying organization
National Healthcareer Association

12. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)

13. Phlebotomy Technician (PBT(ASCP))

Certification details
  • 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 10 year(s)

14. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.

Certification details
  • 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)

15. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
Practice Management Institute

16. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)

17. Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med)

Certifies minimum performance criteria for personnel maintaining medical gas pipeline systems in hospitals and health care facilities.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
CSA Group

18. Registered Medical Assistant

Registered Medical Assistant : EDUCATION or Experienced 1. Completion of an Approved Medical Assistant Program 2. Minimum of 200 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Physician's Office or Urgent Care Center 4. Or A Minimum of 1 Year of MA Experience in Physician's Office 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Phlebotomy Association

19. Certified EKG Technician (CET)

A Certified EKG Technician (CET) produces recording or electromotive variations in a patient's heart muscle, using electrocardiograph machine, to provide data for the diagnosis of heart ailments.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Certified EKG Technician
Certifying organization
National Healthcareer Association
Course that help you to prepare for certification
EKG Technician Certification Exam Review
udemy
4.7
(177)

20. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Is a not-for-profit credentialing agency that provides certification for the occupational therapy profession. NBCOT® serves the public interest by developing, administering and continually reviewing a certification process that reflects current standards of competent practice in occupational therapy. We also work with state regulatory authorities, providing information on credentials, disciplinary actions, and regulatory and certification renewal issues.

Certification details
  • 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)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy (OT)
udemy
3.9
(70)

What is the best certification for a mental health technician?

The best mental health technician certification is Medical Assistant. The Medical Assistant is awarded by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. 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 mental health technician certification:

  • To become a certified Medical Assistant, you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 1 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for mental health technicians?

The most in-demand mental health technician certification is Emergency Medical Technician based on all active job postings. Having this mental health technician certification will give you access to more mental health technician jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a mental health technician career and salary?

The Certified Pharmacy Technician certification will help you to secure a pharmacist technician position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A pharmacist technician's average salary is $34,419 whereas mental health technicians make an average salary of $32,118.

Best certifications

The most common combination of mental health technician certifications include: Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Online courses for mental health technicians to earn certifications

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4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

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5. Health Care Delivery in Healthcare Organizations

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6. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

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This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

7. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...

8. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course

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9. Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action

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10. Managing mental health issues in the workplace

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Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...

11. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain

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10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...

12. Mental Health First Aid Skills -

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This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...

13. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace

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The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...

14. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide

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15. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness

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16. Coping Skills and Self-Care for Mental Health

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17. The Mental Toughness and Inner Resilience Masterclass

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A comprehensive roadmap to cultivating self-discipline, mental toughness, and building sustainable inner resilience...

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19. The Key to Happiness: Self Care

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20. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach

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