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Certified Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialists (CMHRS)
There are three ways that education and experience add up to qualify certification as an MHRS. The MHRS must have any the following:
- An Associate’s degree (AA) plus 10,000 hour of clinical experience (post-associate arts degree) in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment.
- A Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) plus 8,000 hours of clinical experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment.
- Master’s degree (MA) and plus 6,000 hours of clinical experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment.
What do I need to do to apply for CMHRS?
- Letter verifying your qualification as a MHRS. This letter can be issued from DHCS, the County mental health office, a current Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner credential (CPRP) or the State Approved Agency where you received the qualification. Please include any directives regarding limitations on scope of practice.
- Copy of transcripts to verify degree completed (previously primary source verified by your employer).
- Copy of State I.D.
- Affirmation of CCAPP Credentialing Mental Health Code of Conduct.
- Pay fee of $100 or $50 if a BHAP individual member (https://bhap.us/membership/).
CMHRS Recertification
Recertification occurs every two years. Certified QMHSs and CMHRS must submit 40 hours of continuing education every two years, which must include 6 hours of Ethics Training and update their certification file with any changes (address, phone, email, etc.))
A $175 renewal fee is required for non-BHAP members or $100 renewal fee for current BHAP members (https://bhap.us/membership/)
Detailed requirements of CMHRS
Previously qualified MHRSs with a baccalaureate degree and 8,000 clinical experience hours (full-time work in a state approved program) can grandparent into CMHRS Basic Certification. A mental health rehabilitation specialist shall be an individual who has a baccalaureate degree and four years of experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment. Up to two years of graduate professional education may be substituted for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis; up to two years of post-associate arts clinical experience may be substituted for the required educational experience in addition to the requirement of four years’ experience in a mental health setting.