The MHRT/Crisis Service Provider (MHRT/CSP) certification is for individuals who provide Crisis Resolution Services to adults and/or children in Maine.
Last Updated February 13, 2026
Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/ Crisis Service Provider (MHRT/CSP) and the new Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialists/ Crisis Service Provider ( CIPSS/CSP): New training and certification process coming.
OBH will be implementing a new process for training and certifying MHRT/CSPs and the new role of CIPSS/CSP. The current process for MHRT/CSP Certification will remain in place until the new process goes live.
There was a presentation to Providers about these changes on February 9, 2026:
Download the slide deck from the 2/09/26 presentation.
More information will be available as the implementation of the new process gets closer.
The MHRT/CSP certification meets the MaineCare requirements for providing specific Crisis Resolution Services. These services are outlined in the MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 65-06-1 and include all components of the following considered appropriate to the provision of emergency and crisis mental health care, to include co-occurring mental health and substance abuse conditions on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day a week basis. Crisis workers provide the following services:
There are a variety of ways to meet the requirements for MHRT/CSP certification, including reading, completing, and testing out on modules from the Crisis Training Curriculum. All individuals must have a degree in order to obtain MHRT/CSP certification. Authorized agencies work with their own employees to determine each applicant’s qualifications.
You can download a printable copy of these Guidelines in the following formats:
Authorized agency providers apply on behalf of individuals seeking MHRT/CSP certification. If you would like to pursue MHRT/CSP certification, please contact an authorized agency in your area to learn about upcoming training. A list of these authorized agencies can be found in Appendix C of the MHRT/CSP Guidelines.
Once MHRT/CSP certification is granted, it does not expire.
Train-the-Trainer for individuals pursuing certification as MHRT/CSP trainers is held approximately every 3 years. When training becomes available, CFL will post the next training on their website.
The effective application date for MHRT/CSP certification is the date that the authorized agency provider signs the application form. The authorized agency provider signs the application form when an individual has met all MHRT/CSP requirements.
Relevant clinical licenses and degrees are listed in Appendices A and B. Possessing a clinical license or degree does not automatically qualify an individual for MHRT/CSP certification. Please see Section 5 of the MHRT/CSP Guidelines for more detail.
Relevant experience is described in Appendix B. Having relevant experience does not automatically qualify an individual for MHRT/CSP certification. Please see Section 5 of the MHRT/CSP Guidelines for more detail.
One year of full-time experience is equivalent to a minimum of 1200 hours. In order to determine how many years of relevant experience a part-time employee has, count the number of relevant hours worked to determine if the sum adds up to at least 1200 for one year, 2400 hours for two years, etc.
An individual successfully passes a module test when scoring at least 80%.
Only authorized agencies can submit applications for MHRT/CSP certification. For a list of authorized agencies, please see Appendix C of the MHRT/CSP Guidelines. Individuals who want to apply for the MHRT/CSP certification must have their employer submit the application on their behalf. The application form may be found in the Forms section of this website.
Authorized agencies may mail, email, or fax (email is preferred) the application to:
USM Catherine Cutler Institute
The Center for Learning
UMA Robinson Hall
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
FAX: (207) 626-5022
cfl@maine.edu
If you have any questions, email us. The Maine Crisis Line has a new logo. For more information, please follow this link.
