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 how to qualify for a discount)
• Upon candidacy eligibility, and examination fees paid, a comprehensive written and oral study guide will be provided.
• Minimum of a State license to practice independent mental health counseling, marriage & family counseling, or social work.  If  licensing is not required, the candidate must be nationally certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors with a National Certified Counselor Credential (NCC). 
• A minimum of three years post licensed 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.
• Three current professional references that can validate the applicant’s 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 knowledge.
• A practice sample review and oral examination will complete the certification process. It is essential that the two practice samples be complete mental health evaluations. This is necessary in order for the advisory board to assess the knowledge and skill of the candidate's ability to perform and write a qualified forensic mental health evaluation.

  NOTE: Because of the high quality expectations by the NBFE advisory board and interviewing committee, it has become necessary that for all candidates seeking the NBFE forensic mental health evaluator's credential, attend a two-day forensic mental health training workshop.  The workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of, not only writing a high quality forensic mental health evaluation, but in providing expert testimony to the court.  The workshop will also assist the candidate to prepare for the written and oral examination process. The written examination will be taken on the second day of the workshop. The oral examination will be conducted within 3 months of the successful passing of the written examination.

  Notification of dates and locations of all NBFE workshops will be posted on our website.

  REFUND POLICY: There is a non-refundable policy. If the candidate is deemed ineligible to become credentialed, he/she will be provided the opportunity to make up deficiencies and continue in the credentialing process. 

  The candidate will be eligible to take part in the two-day workshop and written examination process if  hold a valid independent state counseling license,.  However, they must wait until they have three years post license experience and provide 40 contact hours of forensic experience before they can sit for the oral defense. 

  The workshop is also open to students and interns, however, they will not be eligible to sit for the written and oral examination process until they meet the requirements stated above.