National Board of Forensic Evaluators, Inc.

National Board

of Forensic

Evaluators

Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) Credential

The CFMHE credential is designed to certify licensed mental health professionals (psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists) who have attained expert status in the specialty of forensic mental health evaluation as evidenced by their forensic knowledge and experience.

Requirements

To attain NBFE board certification as a forensic mental health evaluator, the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Completed application and fees (Contact NBFE for Costs and Professional Partner's Discount)

Upon candidacy eligibility, and examination fees paid, a comprehensive written and oral study guide will be provided.

Minimum of a State license to independently diagnose and treat mental disorders (i.e., clinical mental health counselor, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, clinical or counseling psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner*). If licensing is not required because of Foreign status, the candidate must be nationally certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors with a National Certified Counselor Credential (NCC).

A minimum of one year of post-licensure experience

A minimum of forty-hours substantiated forensic documentation in one or more of the following areas: classes, workshops, seminars, supervision, published professional works, etc., focusing on forensic mental health assessment, sexual offenders, domestic violence, expert witness, ethical issues, family law, introduction to essentials of forensic assessment, child custody evaluations, assessment in personal injury, malingering, competency to stand trial, civil commitment, juvenile justice and substance abuse. Experience in providing expert testimony, depositions, divorce and family mediation, competency evaluations, etc., will be considered, if there is a verifiable case number and court reference accompanying the application. (* Same requirements for Foreign Applicants)

Foreign Certification Process

NBFE now certifies those of our professional counselors practicing independent counseling in our neighboring foreign countries. However, the following requirements must be achieved for those seeking the certification of an NBFE forensic mental health evaluator (CFMHE):

A minimum of three years experience as an independent counselor

Successfully passing the National Board of Certified Counselors examination

If licensing is not required in your country of residence, the candidate must be nationally certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors with a National Certified Counselor Credential (NCC) or a CCMHC certification.

A minimum of forty-hours substantiated forensic documentation. * Details noted to the left

Link to: Hoffman Organicity Test

Link to: DSICA

Link to Homestudy

NOTE: NBFE holds many forensic mental health training Webinars throughout the year. The Candidate will therefore have the opportunity via NBFE Webinars to obtain the necessary forensic mental health experience hours necessary to qualify.

Three current professional references that can validate the applicants ethical and moral standards, as well as pertinent clinical skills and abilities

A written examination will be required to assess the depth and breadth of the candidate's forensic mental health knowledge.

A practice sample review and oral examination will complete the certification process. It is essential that the practice sample be a complete forensic mental health evaluation of a one individual. This is necessary in order for the Oral examination Committee to assess the knowledge and skill of the candidate's ability to perform and write a qualified forensic mental health evaluation.

Agreement to abide by the Code of Ethics in the evaluator's licensed discipline as follows: American Mental Health Counselors Association (for counselors), National Association of Social Workers (for social workers), American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (for marriage and family therapists), and American Psychological Association (for psychologists)]

Certification Process:

(1) Complete the application for the CFMHE credential, including supporting documentation

(2) After submitting the application, the NBFE Chair of Training Development & Implementation will provide you with resources to prepare for the written and oral examinations.

(3) Schedule and complete the written examination.

(4) Submit a sample forensic mental health evaluation report to the Oral Examination Committee. The committee will review the sample and either recommend revisions for re-submission or approve the sample and schedule the oral examination. Once approved by the committee, the sample will be sent to the Chair of the Oral committee for final approval.

(5) Attend and pass the oral examination.

Oral Examination Interviewing Committee

The NBFE oral examination interviewing committee is currently comprised of three NBFE certified forensic mental health evaluators. The members of the committee are voluntary and located in various cities in the United States.

Before any candidate may sit for the oral examination, they must successfully pass the written examination. Then, their two-samples to be defended, are reviewed by the committee for eligibility. Upon determining eligibility, a time and date for the examination is scheduled. Utilizing a live-conference via the internet, the candidate then defends their samples to the committee. Upon a successful defense , the candidate is then deemed credentialed as a forensic mental health evaluator.

*Laws, board rules, and other regulations vary state-by-state. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the individual mental health professional to verify that the ability to diagnose and treat, conduct particular types of forensic mental health evaluations, and/or administer and interpret specific tests and assessment tools is within the scope of practice of his or her license in his or her state.

Renewal Information

Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluators (CFMHEs) renew their certifications by February 1st each year. They receive an automated email two months prior to their renewal date as well as two reminder emails. To renew, they pay an annual renewal fee (currently $80 per year) and complete a brief online survey in which they upload the most current copy of their license and malpractice insurance and verification of 3 continuing education hours in forensic mental health-related subject matter (all NBFE training events are automatically considered appropriate). They also attest to any changes in key legal and ethical criteria for certification. They then receive an updated certificate within a week of renewal.

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