Pathways to Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) Certification
November marks the one-year anniversary of the current MHRT/C requirements, which were changed to increase access for individuals to earn full and provisional MHRT/C certification.
The following bullet list demonstrates the number and type of certificates issued over the past 12 months:
- 208 two-year Full MHRT/C through Pathway A (and those completing remaining Domains)
- 194 one-year Full MHRT/C through Pathway B
- 202 one-Year Provisional MHRT/C through Pathway C
Additionally, five (5) Pathway B and 14 Pathway C certificate holders have already met the requirements for their second one-year certificate and are well on their way to earning the two-year Full MHRT/C.
The chart below describes the three pathways A, B, and C, referenced above. What might seem like a complicated program is actually designed to provide more options for people wanting to enter the behavioral health field.
Pathway
Preparation
Description
A
Degree or certificate from an approved academic program for full certification*
- There are currently over 30 approved degree and certificate programs across Maine where a student can obtain full MHRT/C certification while also earning academic credit.
B
4‐year or higher related degree and/or LSW eligible for full certification**
- See Appendix B in the MHRT/C Guidelines for a list of related degrees. They must be from regionally accredited colleges or universities.
- If the transcript review identifies missing competencies, at least half of the missing domains must be completed within the first year of the two-year renewal period.
- Can use Credit for Work Experience (CWE*) to complete up to four missing competency domains toward full certification (up to two domains in six months) and/or with 30 hours of relevant training per domain. The CFL website lists approved academic and non-academic courses.
*CWE does not apply to Priority Domains 1 or 3.
* Full certification under this pathway requires renewal every two years upon completion of 18 hours of continuing education (CE) related to the MHRT/C competencies. At least four (4) hours must be in Ethics.
** Applicants working on completing competency domains are exempt from the CE requirement.
C
- 2‐year related degree or
- 30 related academic credits or
- 4-year unrelated degree or
12-months direct service experience in adult behavioral health
Eligible for Provisional Certification
- At least half of any missing domains must be completed within the first year of the two-year provisional certification.
- Any missing Priority Domains must be completed within the first 90 days.
- Can use Credit for Work Experience (CWE*) to complete up to four missing competency domains toward full certification (one domain per six-month period), and/or with 30 hours of relevant training per domain. The CFL website lists approved academic and non-academic courses
*CWE does not apply to Priority Domains 1 or 3.
Pathway B and C applicants must complete the free, one‐hour online training “An Introduction to Maine’s Mental Health System” found on the Muskie Center for Learning site.
Competency Domains: 1. Behavioral, Psychological, and Rehabilitation; 2. Community Integration and Inclusion; 3. Ethics and Professional Conduct; 4. Trauma and Resiliency; 5. Policy Knowledge; 6. Mind‐ Body Connection; 7. Cultural Competency; 8. Vocational Support (Priority Domains 1, 2, and 3 contain core competencies.)
For more information visit the Center for Learning’s website at www.cfl-muskie.org.
Contact us at:
cfl-muskie@maine.edu