To be eligible for the Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT) credential, all applicants must ultimately meet the minimum requirements outlined below. These requirements ensure that every CBHT professional is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to provide effective, ethical behavioral health technician services.
The following information provides an overview of the CBHT requirements – detailed information is provided in the CBHT Standards and Requirements Table
Requirements Overview
🎓 Formal Education
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
📚 CBHT Training
- Completion of 30 hours of training in CBHT-approved topics, designed to build foundational skills in behavioral health.
💼 Work Experience
- A completion of 1000 hours of work experience in a substance abuse or related setting.
👥 Supervision
- At least 24 hours of supervised work experience, focused on developing your knowledge and skills as a behavioral health technician.
📝 Letters of Recommendation
- Submission of three letters of recommendation that support your readiness and suitability for CBHT certification.
🖥️ Exam Requirement
- Applicants may only register for the exam after application requirements have been reviewed and approved by the Certification Board.
- Pass a 100-item, multiple-choice certification exam. The exam is designed to assess knowledge, skills, and competencies essential to behavioral health technician practice.
- The passing score is 65%, with all questions weighed equally.
Standard Application Pathway
Currently, the only pathway to full certification for the Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT) credential is through an application process based on your existing experience as a behavioral health technician.
💼 Standard Pathway
Choose this path if you have already met all the following:
- Required education
- Completed CBHT training
- At least 1000 hours of relevant work experience
- Required supervision hours
If you’re ready to apply for the CBHT credential, see the CBHT Standards and Requirements Table for detailed instructions.
If you have additional questions, contact us for guidance.
Click on the standard application pathway button to access detailed information on application, examination, credential award, and maintenance/renewal requirements, processes, and procedures.