Board History

The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners was established by law in 1989 to certify professionals in the fields of Social Work, Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Addiction Counseling. The first certificates were issued in November of 1990 and in 2000 there were over 5800 professionals certified.

Voluntary certification changed to mandatory licensure on July 1, 2004. 

The Board consists of eight professional and four public members appointed by the governor to serve three-year terms.

Four Credentialing Committees, one for each area of licensure, were also appointed by the governor to review and determine the qualifications of applicants.

Credentialing Committees were replaced by Academic Review Committees that will review and determine the qualifications of applicants and approve non-accredited educational programs on November 1, 2015.
Vision Statement

AzBBHE will protect the public by:

  • regulating licensed behavioral professionals effectively, efficiently, professionally, and courteously 

  • collaborating with community partners to improve the level of behavioral health services provided in Arizona

  • providing increased outreach efforts to improve public awareness of and access to Board services