Process

The first level of the Beck Institute CBT Certification program consists of two required phases: the first covering the theoretical foundations of CBT, and the second covering its clinical application. To become a Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician (BICBT-CC), participants must complete both phases. However, individuals may complete the first phase regardless of where they are in their careers and earn a Certificate in Theoretical Foundations of CBT. 

To enroll in the second phase and achieve the designation of Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician, participants must hold a terminal degree in a health or mental health field, have independent licensure where required, and have completed 2,000 supervised clinical hours. 

Phase One: Certificate in Theoretical Foundations of CBT 

• Register for the Certificate in Theoretical Foundations of CBT. The registration form will capture basic information such as name, experience level, and highest degree earned. The registration fee is $100 and does not include the cost of the required coursework for the Theoretical Foundations of CBT Certificate, the knowledge assessment fee, nor does it cover the cost of supervision or work sample review if you plan to continue the program and earn the full designation of Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician.
• After acceptance into the Theoretical Foundations of CBT Certificate, successfully complete the required coursework. Required courses are: 
  • Basics of CBT: Essentials I 
  • CBT for Depression 
  • CBT for Anxiety 
  • CBT for Personality Disorders
• Once you have completed this initial coursework, take and pass an assessment of the theoretical and conceptual CBT knowledge that you have gained thus far to achieve your Certificate in Theoretical Foundations of CBT.

Phase Two: Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician (BICBT-CC)

• Successfully complete phase one of the program as outlined above. Clinicians with more than 10 years of experience providing CBT are invited to learn more about the optional phase one bypass.
• Submit the application form to confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for phase two of the program.
• After acceptance into phase two of the program, successfully complete the CBT in Practice: Essentials II on-demand course.
• Successfully complete a term of supervision with an expert member of our faculty, achieving the required number of scores of 22 or above on the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale—Revised (CTRS-R) as specified for your chosen format.
• Attest that you have treated 10 cases using CBT and have completed five Case Write-ups. 
• Submit a work sample, consisting of a therapy session recording and accompanying materials (Case Write-up and Cognitive Conceptualization Diagram) for evaluation by the Beck Institute Rating Committee and Beck Institute Credentialing Committee. Each recording must score at least 22 or above on the CTRS-R.

Eligibility Requirements

There are no specific eligibility requirements for initial enrollment into the Beck Institute Certification program and completion of the Certificate in Theoretical Foundations of CBT.

The eligibility requirements to complete the full program and earn the designation of Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician are as follows:

Education:

• A terminal education degree with a behavioral or mental health specialization. This degree should have prepared you to see clients and practice as a clinician.
• Continuing Education or Graduate Training* in the following subject areas:
  • Human Development
  • Psychopathology
  • Cultural Influences
  • Ethics
  • Assessment
  • Research and Statistics

*This refers to courses and training taken after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, either during graduate school or as a continuing education course. This training does not need to have been provided in full three-credit courses and there is no minimum hourly amount or other specific requirement (e.g., format, graded, etc.).

Work/Clinical Experience:

• 2,000 hours of supervised clinical work; does not have to be continuous.
• Clinical work may have been performed as part of an internship, fellowship, and/or after graduation from a terminal degree program.
• Clinical hours must have been supervised by qualified supervisors (licensed where required). The primary orientation of the supervisor need not be CBT.

Professional Licensing and Documentation:

• Professional independent license (as required in the locale(s) in which you practice; applicants in the U.S. and Canada must have this documentation).
• Liability insurance (only as required in the locale(s) in which you practice; applicants in the U.S. and Canada must have this documentation).
• Resume or CV.
• You will also need to attest to your history of ethical practice, reporting any license suspensions or refused credentialing. You will be asked if you have any medical problems that impede your ability to provide good quality Cognitive Therapy.

Optional Phase One Bypass for Clinicians with Over 10 Years of Experience

If you have over 10 years of clinical experience providing CBT, you may be eligible to take the CBT knowledge exam without having completed Basics of CBT: Essentials I, CBT for Depression, CBT for Anxiety, and CBT for Personality Disorders. A passing score of 80% or above on the knowledge exam may be substituted for completion of these courses. If/when you pass the knowledge exam, you will not receive a Certificate in Theoretical Foundations of CBT, but you will bypass the phase one coursework requirements and proceed directly to phase two of the program. Upon successful completion of phase two, you will earn the designation of Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician (BICBT-CC). 

To find out if you are eligible to bypass phase one of the program, you must register for the certification program, indicate your experience providing CBT, and check the box to request a bypass of phase one. Our staff will be in touch with further instructions. 

Questions?

If you can’t find what you are looking for listed above, please visit our FAQs for common questions about Beck Institute CBT Certification.