Behavioral Health Technicians

Certification is not required by most states but can improve behavioral health technicians' skills and give them an edge in the job market. Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, and Washington require psychiatric technicians, including behavioral health technicians, to be certified. Regardless of whether required or not, certification can help technicians to hone their skills, improve their knowledge, and advance in their career. Technicians who pass the certification program offered by the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) are awarded the designation Nationally Certified Psychiatric Technician, which may in some instances improve their salaries and the opportunities for promotions in their field. Visit the AAPT's Web site (https://psychtechs.org) for certification information. The American Correctional Association offers certification to behavioral health technicians who work in corrections. Visit https://www.aca.org for more information.