Advancing Behavioral Health in Maine: An Introduction to Behavioral Health Certifications
At the Center for Learning (CFL), part of the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, we’ve been at the forefront of behavioral health workforce development for over 25 years. Beginning in 1996 with the foundational Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician (MHRT) certification, CFL has grown to administer a range of credentials for the Office of Behavioral Health that set the standard for excellence in behavioral health care across Maine.
A Comprehensive Suite of MHRT and CIPSS Certifications
CFL offers six certifications tailored to the diverse needs of Maine’s behavioral health workforce:
- Provisional Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician I (Provisional MHRT I): The Provisional MHRT I certification provides a starting point for those entering the field. This certification equips professionals to provide direct residential services and daily living support to individuals in residential settings and within their communities. Click here to learn more about Provisional MHRT I!
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician I (MHRT I): The Full MHRT I certification builds on the foundation of the Provisional MHRT I and is awarded after the completion of four required trainings within one year. These trainings include the Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) or an equivalent degree/certification, Behavioral Intervention Training approved by the Center for Learning, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and First Aid. Click here to learn more about MHRT I!
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C): The MHRT/C certification is an essential credential for professionals providing care coordination and community support services for adults with serious mental illness, ensuring they possess the knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional behavioral health services. Designed with accessibility and flexibility in mind, this certification offers three distinct pathways that accommodate diverse educational and professional experiences, allowing candidates to combine academic coursework, prior learning assessments, non-academic training, and credit for relevant work experience. Click here to learn more about MHRT/C!
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Crisis Service Provider (MHRT/CSP): The MHRT/CSP certification is a credential for crisis workers who deliver 24/7 behavioral health crisis intervention services in Maine. This certification equips workers with the expertise to provide comprehensive crisis care, including screening, assessment, intervention, and follow-up support for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. This training and certification process is currently being revised. Click here to learn more about MHRT/CSP, and stay tuned for updates!
- Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS): The CIPSS certification is a peer-to-peer support credential grounded in the Intentional Peer Support (IPS) model. Tailored for individuals with lived experience, this certification equips professionals to inspire and guide others on their recovery journeys, fostering meaningful connections and mutual growth along the way. Through this certification, workers gain the skills and knowledge to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support, helping others navigate challenges and achieve their recovery goals. Click here to learn more about CIPSS!
- Introducing the Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist – Crisis Service Provider (CIPSS-CSP): Coming Soon! We are excited to announce the development of a new credential: the Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist – Crisis Service Provider (CIPSS-CSP). This specialized certification is being designed to equip Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialists with the unique skills needed to provide peer-centered care in crisis service settings. Combining the principles of peer support with advanced crisis intervention techniques, this credential will set a new standard for delivering compassionate and effective care during critical moments. Stay tuned for updates as this new certification takes shape!
Each competency-based certification is designed to ensure professionals are prepared to deliver high-quality care, whether supporting individuals with severe mental illness, addressing co-occurring substance use challenges, or responding to behavioral health crises.
Innovative Training and Curricula
Beyond certifications, CFL collaborates with OBH to design and implement specialized training curricula tailored to the needs of Maine’s behavioral health workforce. These programs include:
- Maine Mental Health Systems 101
- Introduction to Peer Support
- Adult Learner: Key Theories and Concepts
- Non-Academic MHRT/Community Curricula (covering all eight required competency domains)
- Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS)
- *Coming Soon* Provisional Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician I (MHRT I) Training
CFL works closely with approved trainers, providing support as they deliver these trainings live to professionals across the state. Additionally, CFL is collaborating with OBH to develop an Integrated Learning Management System to host these trainings in asynchronous and hybrid formats. These competency-based programs are designed to equip professionals with the skills needed to address complex mental health and substance use challenges while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Why Behavioral Health Certifications Matter
Maine’s behavioral health professionals face unique challenges, from workforce shortages to serving rural and underserved populations. The MHRT and CIPSS certifications directly address these issues by:
- Providing a clear, accessible pathway for individuals entering the behavioral health field.
- Promoting professional development and career advancement opportunities.
- Ensuring consistent, high-quality care for individuals with mental health and substance use
- Utilizing the lived/living experience of people who have navigated the MH system.
Through ongoing collaboration with academic institutions, behavioral health agencies, and industry leaders, CFL ensures that its certifications and training programs align with evidence-based practices and reflect the latest research.
A Closer Look at MHRT Certifications
MHRT I Certification: Building a Foundation in Behavioral Health
The Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician I (MHRT I) certification is your gateway to a rewarding career in behavioral health. Designed as a foundational credential, it equips professionals to provide daily living support to individuals with serious mental illness in residential settings and in their own homes. With MHRT I certification, you gain the skills and knowledge to deliver essential services in a structured and supportive environment.
Two Levels of Certification: Provisional and Full
The MHRT I certification offers two pathways:
- Provisional Certification: Start your journey with a high school diploma or GED.
- Full Certification: Advance your skills by completing four required trainings within one year.
Getting Started: Provisional Certification
When hired by a mental health agency, new professionals complete the Provisional MHRT I Handbook, a condensed training introduction to the role. Supervisors then request provisional certification from the Center for Learning, enabling individuals to begin service delivery.
Advancing to Full Certification
To achieve full MHRT I certification, professionals complete four key trainings within a year:
- Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) (or an equivalent degree/certification)
- An approved Behavioral Intervention Training
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- First Aid
Training is widely accessible through community organizations and agency providers, ensuring flexibility for professionals.
Why Pursue the MHRT I Certification?
The MHRT I certification opens doors to meaningful work in behavioral health, providing:
- Professional Development: A clear pathway to build your expertise.
- Career Advancement: Credentials that set you apart in the field.
- Impact: The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with serious mental illness.
Embarking on the MHRT I certification journey is more than a career step—it’s an opportunity to contribute to a supportive community while gaining valuable experience in Maine’s behavioral health field. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to grow, MHRT I certification is your foundation for success. Follow this link to learn more about the MHRT I certification process: https://cfl-muskie.org/certifications/mental-health-rehabilitation-technician-mhrt-i/
MHRT/C Certification: Empowering Professionals to Support Adults with Serious Mental Illness
The Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) certification is essential for professionals dedicated to working with adults living with serious mental illness. Whether you’re engaged in community integration, behavioral health homes, psychosocial clubhouses, assertive community treatment, or other critical services, this certification ensures you have the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change.
Pathways to Certification
Earning the MHRT/C certification is possible through three pathways designed to accommodate applicants’ diverse educational and professional backgrounds while ensuring they meet the required knowledge competencies for providing high-quality behavioral health services.
Pathways to Certification
- Pathway A (full certification):
- For individuals with a degree or certificate from an approved academic program.
- Provides a full two-year MHRT/C certification with an 18-hour continuing education requirement for renewal every two years.
- Pathway B (full certification):
- For individuals with a four-year social services-related degree or Full LSW, along with completion of Maine’s Mental Health System 101 online module.
- Offers an initial one-year certification with required completion of half the missing Domains within the first year to qualify for a second one-year certification. Completion of all Domains leads to a full two-year certification.
- Pathway C (provisional certification):
- For individuals meeting one of the following: a two-year social services degree, 30 social services-related credits, a four-year unrelated degree, or 12 months of relevant behavioral health experience.
- Requires completion of Maine’s Mental Health System 101 module and Priority Domains (1–3) within 90 days. Offers a one-year provisional certification with the option to renew and achieve a full two-year certification upon completing all Domains.
Options to Satisfy Knowledge Competencies
Applicants under Pathway B and Pathway C can fulfill the knowledge competencies required for certification through the following options:
- Academic Coursework:
- Completing approved courses, certificates, or degree programs offered by accredited colleges and universities.
- Prior Learning Assessment (PLA):
- Earning applicable credit for prior learning and life experiences through institutional PLA processes.
- Non-Academic Training:
- Completing 30 hours per domain of domain of non-academic training that aligns with the knowledge competencies of specific domains. All eight domains are currently available as non-academic courses.
- Credit for Work Experience (CWE):
- Using relevant behavioral health work experience to fulfill up to four domains (excluding Priority Domains 1 and 3).
- Six months of experience per domain is required, with documentation provided by a clinical supervisor.
Certification Process Details
- Certification dates are based on when all necessary documentation is submitted.
- Degrees and coursework must be from regionally accredited institutions.
- Relevant continuing education is required every two years to maintain certification.
This comprehensive approach to MHRT/C certification provides accessible, flexible pathways for applicants while ensuring they meet and maintain the standards necessary to deliver effective, high-quality behavioral health care. By integrating academic, experiential, and non-academic options, the certification process supports workforce development tailored to Maine’s behavioral health system needs.
Maintaining Your Certification
MHRT/C certification requires renewal every two years to ensure professionals remain up to date with best practices. Renewal requirements include:
- 18 hours of continuing education (CE) relating to one more of the MHRT/C competencies, including:
- A minimum of 4 hours in Ethics.
- At least 6 hours of live training (in-person or interactive webinars).
- Timely submission of CE documentation, with renewal reminders sent 90 days before the expiration date.
Why Pursue the MHRT/C Certification?
The MHRT/C certification represents more than professional development—it’s a commitment to the principle that recovery from mental illness is possible. With this credential, you’ll gain the tools to provide effective, empathetic care while advancing your career in Maine’s behavioral health workforce.
Whether you’re starting your journey, transitioning into a new role, or expanding your expertise, the MHRT/C certification offers a pathway to meaningful work and impactful change in the lives of those you serve.
Follow this link to learn more about the MHRT/C certification process: https://cfl-muskie.org/certifications/mental-health-rehabilitation-technician-community-mhrt-c-new-2019-guidelines/
MHRT/CSP Certification: Engaging in vital Behavioral Health Crisis Response
We are excited to announce that the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Crisis Service Provider (MHRT/CSP) training and certification process is undergoing a comprehensive redesign! The MHRT/CSP certification is a vital credential for professionals delivering behavioral health crisis intervention services in Maine. Meeting the standards outlined in the MaineCare Benefits Manual, this certification equips crisis workers to provide critical, 24/7 emergency mental health care, including support for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.
Essential Crisis Services
MHRT/CSP-certified professionals are trained to address every aspect of crisis intervention, ensuring comprehensive and effective care. Key services include:
- Screening: Identifying immediate needs and risks.
- Assessment: Evaluating the severity of the crisis.
- Evaluation: Determining the best course of action.
- Intervention: Providing timely, appropriate support.
- Disposition: Ensuring safe and effective resolution or follow-up care.
Pathways to Certification
Currently, obtaining the MHRT/CSP certification requires completing modules from the Crisis Training Curriculum and successfully passing assessments. A degree is a prerequisite, and authorized agencies collaborate with employees to assess qualifications and guide them through the certification process.
Why Pursue the MHRT/CSP Certification?
This certification is more than a credential—it’s a gateway to making a tangible difference in your community. Key benefits include:
- MaineCare Compliance: Meeting essential requirements for providing Crisis Resolution Services.
- Expertise in Crisis Response: Gaining the skills to handle high-pressure situations with confidence and competence.
- Career Advancement: Expanding opportunities to grow and excel in the behavioral health field.
For those passionate about delivering life-saving mental health care, the MHRT/CSP certification is a meaningful step forward—enhancing skills, advancing careers, and creating lasting impacts in the communities you serve. Follow this link to learn more about the MHRT/CSP certification process: https://cfl-muskie.org/certifications/mental-health-rehabilitation-technician-crisis-service-provider-mhrt-csp/
A Vision for the Future
For over two decades, CFL has been more than just an OBH designated certifying body—we are a partner in creating lasting solutions for Maine’s behavioral health challenges. By focusing on workforce resilience, innovative training, and collaboration, CFL is shaping a future where behavioral health professionals and the individuals they serve can truly thrive. Whether you’re just beginning your journey in behavioral health or seeking to expand your skills, the MHRT and CIPPS certifications administered by CFL on behalf of the Office of Behavioral Health offer a pathway to meaningful work, professional growth, and making a difference in the lives of Maine residents. Together, we’re building a stronger future—one professional, one certification, and one solution at a time.
Follow this link to learn more about the Center for Learning: https://cfl-muskie.org/