If you want a career where you make a real difference, becoming a Mental Health Technician in Florida might be your perfect fit.
MHTs provide hands-on support to people dealing with mental health challenges.
You will help patients stay safe, stable, and on track with their treatment.
Florida’s growing population and focus on mental health services mean the need for skilled MHTs is rising.
If you enjoy helping others, staying calm under pressure, and working in a fast-paced environment, this career can be deeply rewarding and a strong start in healthcare.
Go to Section:
- What Does a Mental Health Technician Do?
- Education Requirements in Florida
- Top Schools Offering Mental Health Technician Programs in Florida
- #1 Marion Technical College
- #2 Atlantic Technical College
- #3 Florida Vocational Institute
- #4 Miami Dade College
- #5 Eastern Florida State College
- Certification Options in Florida
- Step-by-Step: How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Florida
- How Long Does It Take to Become a Mental Health Technician in Florida?
- Cost to Become a Mental Health Technician in Florida
- Job Outlook for Mental Health Technicians in Florida
- Salary for Mental Health Technicians in Florida
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Mental Health Technician Do?
Mental Health Technicians are on the frontlines of behavioral health care.
Daily tasks can include helping patients with personal care, observing and documenting behavior, supporting treatment plans, and assisting during therapeutic activities.
In Florida, MHTs work in hospitals, psychiatric centers, residential facilities, and community mental health programs.
While similar roles exist, such as Behavioral Health Technician or Psychiatric Technician, MHTs focus on direct patient care and behavioral support rather than medical procedures.
Education Requirements in Florida
The minimum education to become an MHT is a high school diploma or GED.
Many employers prefer candidates who complete a certificate or associate degree in behavioral health.
Courses in psychology, anatomy, patient care, and crisis intervention are especially helpful.
Hands-on training during programs prepares you for real-world situations, from calming agitated patients to supporting therapists in treatment plans.
Top Schools Offering Mental Health Technician Programs in Florida
#1 Marion Technical College
About the School
Marion Technical College in Ocala offers hands-on training designed to get students ready for work in the mental health field quickly.
The program is tailored to reflect real workplace demands, with input from local healthcare employers.
Students gain experience in patient care, communication, crisis intervention, and behavior management while learning ethical and legal responsibilities.
Courses Offered
The program includes 480 hours of instruction.
Students learn basic healthcare worker skills, nursing aide fundamentals, and specialized mental health technician courses.
Classroom learning is paired with supervised practicums at local hospitals and treatment facilities.
The program also prepares students to earn a Certified Nursing Assistant credential as part of training.
Program Cost
For Florida residents, tuition and fees range from about 1,680 to 2,100.
Costs vary depending on schedule and additional fees for supplies, uniforms, or certification exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 1014 SW 7th Road, Ocala, FL 34471
- Phone: (352) 671-7200
- Website: Visit School Website
#2 Atlantic Technical College
About the School
Atlantic Technical College prepares students for careers as Mental Health Technicians, psychiatric aides, or nursing assistants.
The program focuses on real-world skills such as patient assessment, intervention for psychiatric and substance abuse disorders, and emergency response.
Students are trained to work effectively in hospitals, residential facilities, and community settings.
Courses Offered
The program runs 480 hours, roughly five months full-time.
Coursework includes basic nursing skills, health and wellness principles, communication strategies, legal and ethical responsibilities, infection control, and crisis intervention.
Students gain hands-on experience assisting patients and supporting treatment plans.
Program Cost
Tuition and fees total around 1,680 for the full program.
Additional expenses may include books, uniforms, physical exams, and background checks.
Contact Information
- Address: 4700 Coconut Creek Parkway Coconut Creek, FL 33063
- Phone: 754-321-5100
- Website: Visit School Website
#3 Florida Vocational Institute
About the School
Florida Vocational Institute in Miami offers career-focused training in healthcare, including mental health.
Students gain classroom instruction and clinical experience to prepare for hands-on work supporting patients in inpatient and community settings under supervision.
Courses Offered
The program runs nine months or 36 instructional weeks.
Students study anatomy and physiology, basic healthcare, fundamentals of patient care, and mental health courses.
Training emphasizes clinical competency, patient safety, therapeutic activities, and documentation skills.
Supervised clinical experience is included to prepare students for national certification exams.
Program Cost
Exact program costs vary and are not publicly listed.
Programs at this school generally include tuition, materials, and exam preparation fees.
Costs depend on credit hours and required supplies.
Contact Information
- Address: 7757 West Flagler St, Suite 220, Miami, FL 33144
- Phone: (305) 665-1911
- Website: Visit School Website
#4 Miami Dade College
About the School
Miami Dade College is one of the largest community colleges in the United States, with multiple campuses across South Florida.
Its Behavioral Health Technician program prepares students for clinical support roles in residential, outpatient, and inpatient mental health settings.
Courses Offered
Students complete career technical certificates covering mental health support strategies, crisis intervention, and therapeutic assistance.
Classroom learning is paired with practical, hands-on experiences that prepare students for real-world patient care and industry certifications.
Program Cost
Tuition is charged per credit hour.
For Florida residents, career technical certificate programs cost around 91 per credit hour.
The total cost depends on the number of credits required for completion.
Additional fees may include books, uniforms, and clinical requirements.
Contact Information
- Address: 950 N.W. 20th Street, Miami, FL 33127
- Phone: (305) 237-4177
- Website: Visit School Website
#5 Eastern Florida State College
About the School
Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne offers a Career and Technical Certificate in Mental Health Technician training.
The program prepares students to provide care under supervision in mental health and substance abuse settings, focusing on patient support, safety, and therapeutic assistance.
Courses Offered
The 480 clock-hour program includes three main components: basic healthcare worker skills, nursing assistant fundamentals, and mental health technician training.
Instruction is delivered through classroom, lab, and community-based clinical experiences.
Completion of the first 165 hours makes students eligible to take the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant exam.
Program Cost
Tuition for Florida residents is around 1,600.
This does not include course materials, uniforms, or background check fees.
The program does not qualify for federal financial aid, but students can use scholarships, payment plans, or prepaid funds.
Contact Information
- Address: 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935
- Phone: 321-433-7300
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| | #1 | Marion Technical College |
| | #2 | Atlantic Technical College |
| | #3 | Florida Vocational Institute |
| | #4 | Miami Dade College |
| | #5 | Eastern Florida State College |
Certification Options in Florida
Florida does not require state-specific MHT certification, but national credentials can make your resume stand out.
Popular certifications include the Certified Mental Health Technician and the Behavioral Health Technician credential.
Most certifications require passing an exam and ongoing education for renewal.
| Certification | Provider | Exam Required | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMHT | National Association of Mental Health Technicians | Yes | Two years |
| Behavioral Health Technician | NHA | Yes | Two years |
| State MHT License | Florida Board of Health | Varies | Varies |
Step-by-Step: How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Florida
- Check eligibility, including age and background checks.
- Complete a certificate or associate degree in behavioral health.
- Gain supervised clinical experience during your program.
- Take certification exams if pursuing national credentials.
- Apply for any required state registration or licensure.
- Start applying to hospitals, clinics, and mental health facilities across Florida.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Mental Health Technician in Florida?
A fast-track certificate program with clinical hours can get you into the field in six months.
An associate degree and hands-on experience usually take one to two years.
Cost to Become a Mental Health Technician in Florida
Costs vary depending on the program.
Certificate programs generally range from $2,500 to $8,000.
Associate degrees may cost $10,000 to $20,000, including tuition, fees, and textbooks.
Additional expenses may include uniforms, supplies for clinical training, and exam fees.
Certification costs are separate but can improve job prospects.
Job Outlook for Mental Health Technicians in Florida
Employment opportunities for MHTs are growing, especially in hospitals, residential care, and community mental health programs.
Cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have the strongest demand.
With mental health care expanding, MHTs enjoy career stability and opportunities to advance into therapy, nursing, or social work roles.
Salary for Mental Health Technicians in Florida
Entry-level MHTs start with basic pay that grows as experience and skills increase.
Working in larger cities or specialized facilities can improve earning potential.
Certification and advanced training can also influence pay.
Location, work setting, and credentials all affect income.
Average Salary of Mental Health Technicians in Florida
Annual Salary Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$39K | |
$58K |
Florida Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 300 | $42,010 | $20.20 | $49,620 | $33,370 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 160 | $41,630 | $20.02 | $51,090 | $33,970 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 160 | $40,710 | $19.57 | $55,500 | $31,400 |
| Gainesville, FL | 310 | $44,180 | $21.24 | $56,590 | $36,140 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,420 | $42,770 | $20.56 | $50,730 | $35,600 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 420 | $41,350 | $19.88 | $47,800 | $36,020 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 4,610 | $44,690 | $21.49 | $60,790 | $32,900 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 330 | $47,250 | $22.72 | $52,870 | $36,570 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 770 | $43,760 | $21.04 | $57,300 | $36,680 |
| Ocala, FL | 140 | $40,580 | $19.51 | $46,820 | $33,120 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,920 | $44,680 | $21.48 | $57,780 | $34,850 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 220 | $40,820 | $19.63 | $56,560 | $30,920 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | 120 | $44,100 | $21.20 | $55,720 | $33,540 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 250 | $41,380 | $19.90 | $56,100 | $31,190 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 440 | $42,050 | $20.22 | $52,000 | $35,170 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 70 | $49,680 | $23.88 | $60,590 | $35,240 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 280 | $38,650 | $18.58 | $50,790 | $28,690 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,580 | $43,320 | $20.83 | $58,550 | $34,880 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need certification to be a Mental Health Technician in Florida?
Certification is not always required, but is often preferred by employers.
How long does it take to become a Mental Health Technician in Florida?
Certificates take six to twelve months, associate degrees about two years, and on-the-job training can last three to six months.
What makes this role special in Florida?
Florida MHTs focus on hands-on mental health care, behavioral monitoring, and crisis intervention, making the job unique compared to general medical roles.
Is this a good entry-level healthcare career?
Yes.
It provides a pathway into mental health, nursing, and broader healthcare careers.
Can you become a Mental Health Technician without a college degree?
Yes.
A high school diploma or GED plus training can get you started.
