Correctional Behavioral Health Certification

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

         

Target Population:

Adult/Juvenile Correctional Officers
Community Corrections Officers
Allied Behavioral Health Staff

Eligibility is extended to Correctional Officers, Community Corrections Officers, and Allied Behavioral Health Staff, who, because of their education, credentials, and experience, are associated with the provision of behavioral health services for mentally ill inmates or offenders. 


Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Adult/ Juvenile Correctional Officer (CBHC-CO)

A. Correctional Officers: Individuals responsible for the custody, safety, security, and supervision of inmates in a correctional facility.

  1. Current county, state, or federal correctional officer certification. Equivalent of one year accumulated experience in a prison, jail/detention facility or community/work release center providing custodial supervision and working with behavioral/mental health staff in providing care for inmates/offenders in an inpatient mental health unit, residential treatment unit, secure therapeutic unit, intensive management unit, behavioral adjustment unit or other specialized unit or program for inmates with mental illness;
  2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Community Corrections Officer (CBHC-CC)

B. Community Corrections Officers:  Individuals, including probation or parole officers, that supervise offenders who have been sentenced to non-custodial sanctions or those released from incarceration.

  1. Current county, state, or federal community corrections officer certification Equivalent of one year accumulated experience coordinating with community-based behavioral/mental health providers and/or court systems in the supervision of mentally ill offenders.  
  2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.


Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS)

Allied Behavioral Health Staff:  Nursing, medical support staff, and individuals under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional that provide rehabilitative, recreational, case management, re-entry planning, psycho-educational and other supportive services to mentally ill inmates/offenders.

  1. Equivalent of two years accumulated experience providing structured activities, psycho-educational programs, nursing/medical support, recreational, and other supportive behavioral services in a mental health setting.  At least one of the two years must be in a correctional or juvenile justice facility for inmates/offenders in an inpatient mental health unit, residential treatment unit, secure therapeutic unit, intensive management unit, behavioral adjustment unit or other specialized unit or program for inmates with mental illness.
  2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.