Forensic Evaluation

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Still have questions?

Read our Credential FAQs or contact Rebecca Woodson, the Director, Office of Credentialing and Continuing Education, at rwoodson@amhca.org



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Reviewers Checklist

To assist applicants the AMHCA Credentialing Certification Board has provided the reviewers checklist as a helpful guide for you to see if you meet all the criteria before you apply.

Certification - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist in Forensic Evaluation

Who is this credential for?

Candidates for the AMHCA Specialist in Forensic Evaluation will be currently certified or have completed the required professional development hours. The candidate will demonstrate experience in conducting evaluations in forensic areas e.g., competency evaluations, involuntary hospitalization, threat assessments, violence or sexual aggression assessment, substance abuse evaluations related to criminal or legal issues, child custody, parental suitability, immigration evaluations, psychological trauma related to personal injury, court sentencing / probation, disability evaluations.

What does this credential represent?

The AMHCA Specialist in Forensic Evaluation establishes a clinical mental health standard that recognizes expertise in mental health counselors having the appropriate training, knowledge, skills, experience and competence to provide objective behavioral health examinations and/or opinions for courts or other legal proceedings. The criminal justice and social service systems are in dire need of qualified forensic evaluators using scientifically valid and reliable standards to facilitate legal proceedings. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors are uniquely positioned to fill these roles.

Successful applicants will be awarded a certificate, and may refer to themselves as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist or CMHC Specialist (e.g., CMHC Specialist–Forensic Evaluation).

Pricing

$150 (digital and print certificate)

Renewal
$50 (digital and print certificate)

Renewal

Valid for 2 years from issue date


Complete Requirements

Be a Clinical Member of AMHCA

Have completed all of the licensing requirements as defined by the respective state and have been awarded the license to practice independently. As an independent practitioner, the applicant must have practiced independently for a minimum of three years after completing all state licensure requirements. 

To be recognized as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist, the applicant must complete all of the following requirements for each area of specialization (A, B, C, D): 

  1. Complete professional development in each specialist area by at least 90 hours of professional development specifically related to the specialist area. These 90 hours must be documented by the date, course title, and number of course hours. Please note the following criteria: 
    1. One completed post-master’s degree graduate semester credit hour is equal to 15 professional development hours. 
    2. Presentation hours specifically and primarily related to the specialist area can be counted for up to 60 hours of the required professional development hours.
    3. Graduate courses taught by the applicant specifically and primarily related to the specialist area can be counted for up to 60 hours (a graduate semester hour taught equals 15 contact hours). 
    4. At least 15 of the 90 professional development hours must be earned within the past five years. 
    5. Only professional development hours completed within the past 15 years will be counted toward meeting the specialist training requirement. 
    6. All professional development hours must be completed post-master's degree in mental health counseling or a related counseling field. 
    7. Hours used for one specialist area cannot be applied to an additional specialist area application. 
    8. Applicants who have a license for 5 years in an area directly related to the specialty area applied for can waive professional development hours. (e.g. LCMHCs who are additionally LMFTs applying for Couples and Family Counseling; LCMHCs who are also RNs/ARNPs working in Integrated Behavioral Health areas or certified in specialty areas. Applicants who have maintained the CFMHE from NBFE for 5 years can waive professional development hours; 3 years for CFMHE with CFBA or CCCE.
  2. Applicants must complete at least 100 hrs of face-to-face forensic evaluation activity.
  3. Applicants must attest to having completed a minimum of 10 hours of specialist supervision by a licensed mental health professional who has expertise in the area. Supervision required for independent state licensure cannot be counted toward this specialist supervision requirement.
  4. Applicants must attest that they have the knowledge of the ethics and standards of practice in the specialist area and will abide by all applicable codes of ethics.  
  5. Complete application and pay fee. 

An AMHCA Clinical membership is required to apply for one of our advanced credentialing certifications. Not yet a member? Great news!

You can pay our special non-member rate which includes a year of membership. 


Print Certificate ($150)

Framed Plaque Certificate ($195)