• • *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.
    
  • Please note that registered internship, associate counselor, or provisional licensure status do not meet criteria for independent licensure unless you are legally permitted to diagnose and treat mental disorders in your state without being under the supervision of another licensed professional.  
  •  If seeking "foreign status" certification and licensure is not required in the applicant's country, the applicant must be certified by a board recognized by NBFE.  Email aaron@nbfe.net to determine what board(s) are recognized by NBFE in your region.
• Has a minimum of forty (40) hours of forensic experience and/or training.
• • "Experience" is defined as hours spent conducting clinical interviews, reviewing collateral records, administering tests, testifying in court, and/or writing reports for legal proceedings.  Case numbers must be provided in the electronic application.  Experience in forensic mental health-related research (e.g., studies published in peer-reviewed, professional journal articles) may also be considered.
  • "Training" consists of clock hours hours recognized by appropriate continuing education authorities (e.g., National Board for Certified Counselors, American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Medical Association, Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, etc.) of forensic mental health-related training through classes, workshops, seminars, etc. focusing on forensic mental health-related topics such as sexual offenders, domestic violence, expert witness, ethical issues in forensic evaluation, family law, introduction to essentials of forensic assessment, child custody evaluations, assessment in personal injury, malingering, competency to stand trial, civil commitment, juvenile justice, administering and interpreting psychological tests, and substance abuse evaluation. 
  • Applicants who do not have 40 hours of experience may elect to complete live, "on demand" webinar, or homestudy courses offered by NBFE.  All NBFE courses are automatically deemed "forensic mental health-related." Click here to explore these courses.
• Has submitted three current professional references that can validate the applicants ethical and moral standards, as well as pertinent clinical skills and abilities
• • Note that reference letters will only be accepted if written by a mental health professional
• Has completed a written examination designed to assess the depth and breadth of the applicant's forensic mental health knowledge.
• Has submitted a sample written report that adheres to NBFE's official report format (note that training resources will be provided to aid the applicant in writing the sample report). 
• Has passed an oral examination that involves defending the sample report (note that training resources will be provided to aid the applicant in passing the oral exam)
• Has agreed to abide by the Code of Ethics of the evaluator's licensed discipline as follows: American Mental Health Counselors Association or American Counseling Association (for counselors), National Association of Social Workers (for social workers), American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (for marriage and family therapists), American Psychological Association (for psychologists), American Psychiatric Association (for psychiatrists).

Certification Process in 5 Steps:

1.     Complete the application for the CFMHE credential, including supporting documentation 

2.    After submitting the application, attend a certification workshop (no additional cost) and/or utilize the online training resources (no additional cost) available to prepare for the written and oral examinations.

3.    Schedule and complete the written examination within 90 days of applying (or attending a certification workshop).

4.    Submit a sample forensic mental health evaluation report to the Oral Examination Committee within 6 months of passing the written examination.  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.

Certification Renewal

Each year, CFMHEs receive automated renewal instructions directing them on how to upload an updated copy of their malpractice insurance and license and how to re-attest to ethical and legal questions.  CFMHEs also pay an annual certification renewal fee, which is currently set at $80.  Annual renewal fees are subject to change.  Renewals are due by January 31st of each year.  The first renewal fee is automatically waived for CFMHEs who are certified from October 1st through January 31st.