International Applicant Requirements for Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) Credential

The National Board of Forensic Evaluators (NBFE) recognizes that many countries regulate mental health professions differently than in the United States, where NBFE is headquartered.  For this reason, a different set of requirements has been established for applicants working outside of the United States.

There are two possible pathways to certification for international applicants:

1. If you are a mental health professional (i.e., counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner) who practices in a country in which your profession is licensed or chartered by a government agency, then your application requirements are identical to those of applicants who practice within the United States.  Click here to review those requirements.
2. If you are a mental health professional (i.e., counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner) who practices in a country in which your profession is NOT licensed or chartered by a government agency, then the following application requirements apply:
1. Demonstrate your ability to diagnose and treat mental disorders by submitting the following:

1. A transcript from an appropriately credentialed college or university detailing their coursework and verifying that you have earned a graduate (i.e., Master’s or doctorate) degree in a profession that diagnoses and treats mental disorders (i.e., counseling, social work, psychology, psychiatry, marriage and family therapy)

2. Verification that you have been practicing as a mental health professional for at least three calendar years

3. Evidence that you can legally diagnose and treat mental disorders in your country (e.g., copy of statutes, rules, court rulings, letter from a government authority, etc.)

2. Demonstrate that you have a minimum of forty (40) hours of forensic experience and/or training.

1. "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.

2. "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, British Psychological Society, Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 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.  

3. If you 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.

3. Submit three current professional references (written by a mental health professional) that can validate your ethical and moral standards, as well as pertinent clinical skills and abilities

4. Complete and pass NBFE's written examination

5. Submit a sample written report that adheres to NBFE's official report format

6. Agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of your profession

Ready to Get Certified?

You have two application options:

Option #1: You are a member of an organization that is officially "partnered" with NBFE and want to attend an upcoming live certification workshop.

Click here here to verify our list of current partners.  Applicants selecting option #1 can initiate the certification process by registering for an upcoming certification workshop.  Click here to view a list of upcoming live training events, choose the upcoming "certification workshop" that you want to attend, and register for it.

Option #2: You are not a member of an organization that is officially "partnered" with NBFE and do not wish to join one before applying.

If you select this option, you will be provided with a link to complete an "on demand" certification workshop.   Click here to initiate your application. 

If you have questions about certification, please contact our Administrative Assistant,Valentino Norton, at (386) 366-5761 or by email at Valentino@nbfe.net. 

What Does the Registration Fee for Certification Workshops Include?

Certification costs include:

1. Application Fee

2. Membership

3. Discounted rates off trainings and homestudy courses (member rate vs. none-member rate)

4. Eight-hour certification workshop (8-CE's)

5. Written Exam
6. Oral Exam

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.