Behavioral Health
Certification in Alaska
From entry-level technician to advanced practitioner — a progressive credentialing pathway for counselors serving Alaskans across mental health, trauma, and co-occurring disorders.
Credential Levels
Five Pathways in Behavioral Health
ACBHC's BH track offers a progressive credentialing structure — from first entry into the field to advanced-practice recognition, with a dedicated pathway honoring Alaska Native healing traditions.
Continuing Education
CEU Requirements
All BH certifications require 40 continuing education hours per 2-year renewal cycle. CEUs must come from ACBHC-approved providers or receive prior written approval.
3 hours — Ethics (within the last 2 years)
3 hours — Confidentiality (within the last 2 years)
34 hours — Behavioral health field elective, from an ACBHC-approved provider
6 hours — Ethics & Professional Standards
Culturally grounded content accepted — traditional healing practices, community wellness, and indigenous knowledge systems
34 hours — Contact ACBHC to confirm which activities qualify for traditional counselors
Training must come from an ACBHC-approved provider or receive prior written approval before attendance
Online, hybrid, and in-person formats are all accepted
Log and upload CEU certificates through your portal account — the tracker generates your CEU list automatically
Track your CEUs in your portal account. Log hours, upload completion certificates, and monitor progress toward renewal in one place. Email reminders are sent automatically before your renewal date. Questions? Contact us at info@akcertification.org or (907) 332-4333.
What You'll Need
Required Application Documents
All documents are submitted digitally through the ACBHC secure portal — no paper mail accepted. Have everything ready before starting your application.
📄 Initial Certification
The application is completed as a set of short digital forms in your portal — not one long form — plus the supporting documents below.
General Information
Short portal form covering your contact information, employment, and the credential level you're applying for.
Required — All LevelsBackground Disclosure
Portal form covering your criminal history disclosure, including ACBHC's barrier crime screening question. Certain convictions may require additional review — see the Barrier Crime Policy below.
Required — All LevelsData Collection Agreement
Portal form authorizing ACBHC to collect and verify the information submitted with your application.
Required — All LevelsACBHC Ethical Standards Attestation
Portal form reviewing the ACBHC Code of Ethics paragraph by paragraph, with your initials confirming you've read and agree to each section.
Required — All LevelsOfficial Transcripts
Official transcripts from all accredited institutions, showing degree conferral or applicable coursework for your credential level. Sent directly from your school to ACBHC.
Required — BHT, BHC I, II, ABHCValid Photo ID
Driver's license, state ID, or passport, uploaded in your portal to verify your identity.
Required — BHT, BHC I, II, ABHCResume
Current resume showing your relevant education, training, and work history.
Required — BHT, BHC I, II, ABHCSupervisor Recommendation Form
Completed by your qualifying clinical supervisor, confirming your work hours, areas of practice, and professional competency at the applied credential level.
Required — BHT, BHC I, II, ABHCEmployer Verification of Experience Form
Completed by your employer, verifying your relevant work experience at the applied credential level.
Required — BHT, BHC I, II, ABHCCompetency Practicum Evaluation Form
Completed by your supervisor, evaluating your clinical competencies at the applied credential level.
Required — BHT, BHC I, II, ABHCCommunity Nomination Letter
For Traditional Counselor applicants only — a formal nomination letter from a tribal organization, Alaska Native community, or recognized cultural authority attesting to the applicant's healing practice and standing. Traditional Counselor is a nomination-only pathway, not a self-service digital application.
Required — Traditional Counselor🔄 Renewal & Recertification
Renewal Application Form
Complete the renewal application for your credential level. Available in your portal account when your renewal window opens — 90 days before expiration.
RequiredCEU Completion Certificates
Upload certificates from all approved continuing education activities completed during your renewal period, satisfying required hours and topic minimums for your level.
Required — All LevelsCEU Activity Log (BH Track)
A completed ACBHC CEU log summarizing all training activities, providers, dates, and hours. Your portal's CEU tracker can generate this automatically.
RequiredEthics Attestation
Signature confirming continued adherence to the ACBHC Code of Ethics (2025 edition). Completed through your portal at time of renewal submission.
RequiredEmployment Verification
Only required if there has been a significant change in your employment status, practice setting, or supervision arrangement since your last certification period.
ConditionalRenewal Fee Payment
Paid securely via Stripe at submission. Refer to the current ACBHC Fee Schedule on the Forms page for renewal amounts by credential level.
RequiredUpgrading Your Credential?
Applying for a higher level (e.g., BHC I → BHC II) requires additional documents — see the Required Application Documents section above for what's needed at your new level.
Application Process
Six Steps to Your Credential
The ACBHC application process is fully digital — no paper forms, no mailing anything. Here's exactly what to expect.
Complete Your Forms on the Portal
Log in to your ACBHC portal account and complete your application — a set of short digital forms, not one long form, covering general information, background disclosure, and your ethics attestation.
Gather Supporting Documents
Collect your transcripts, resume, photo ID, and the recommendation or verification forms required for your credential level.
Upload via the Portal
Log in and upload all documents through your secure ACBHC dashboard. No mail accepted.
Pay Application Fee
Submit your fee securely via Stripe. Your application isn't complete until payment is confirmed.
Staff Review & Commissioner Approval
Staff review your packet and route it to a Commissioner. Track status live in your portal.
Receive Your Digital Certificate
Upon approval, your official certificate is delivered via Adobe Express to download or share.
Ready to start your application?
Create a free ACBHC portal account to access forms, upload documents, and track your application status in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About
the BH Track
How does the BH Track differ from the Chemical Dependency Track?
The Behavioral Health Track is designed for practitioners whose primary work spans mental health, trauma, and co-occurring disorders more broadly — not exclusively substance use. BH credentials use the BHT/BHC/ABHC designations, have their own education and supervised hours requirements, and include a unique Traditional Counselor pathway honoring Alaska Native healing practices. Some practitioners hold credentials in both tracks.
What counts as a "related field" for BHC I and BHC II education requirements?
Degrees in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, nursing (with behavioral health emphasis), public health, and similar disciplines are generally considered related fields. If you're unsure whether your degree qualifies, contact ACBHC staff at info@akcertification.org before beginning your application — staff can confirm eligibility.
How does the Traditional Counselor nomination process work?
Traditional Counselor certification is a nomination-based pathway recognizing Alaska Native individuals whose healing knowledge and community practice meet a cultural standard rather than a formal academic one. A tribal organization, village council, or recognized Alaska Native cultural authority must submit a formal nomination letter on the applicant's behalf. Contact ACBHC directly for nomination guidelines — this pathway has its own form and review process.
How long does the application review process take?
Review timelines depend on application volume and completeness of your packet. Complete applications are typically reviewed within 4–6 weeks. Incomplete submissions are returned with notes, which may extend the timeline. Track your status in real time through your portal account.
Does ACBHC accept out-of-state credentials or national certifications?
ACBHC evaluates out-of-state and national behavioral health certifications on a case-by-case basis. Existing credentials may fulfill portions of ACBHC requirements. Contact staff to discuss reciprocity or equivalency options before submitting your application.
How and when do I renew my certification?
Your renewal window opens 90 days before your certification expiration date. You will receive email reminders through your portal account. Log in, navigate to your certification dashboard, and follow the renewal prompts. All CEU certificates must be logged and uploaded before your renewal is considered complete.
What happens if my certification lapses?
If your certification expires, you may no longer use your credential title until reinstated. You may apply for reinstatement within a grace period by submitting a renewal application, required CEUs, and any applicable late fees. After an extended lapse, you may be required to reapply as a new applicant. Contact ACBHC as soon as possible if your credential has lapsed.
Still have questions? Our assistant can answer most common inquiries instantly.