A Mental Health Technician (MHT) is a vital frontline caregiver in behavioral healthcare, providing direct support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
In Louisiana, like much of the United States, demand for these roles is rising as communities seek compassionate professionals to support patients in hospitals, residential settings, and community programs.
Go to Section:
- What Does a Mental Health Technician Do?
- Education Requirements in Louisiana
- Top Schools Offering Mental Health Technician Programs in Louisiana
- #1 Louisiana State University – Shreveport
- #2 Louisiana State University – Alexandria
- #3 University of Louisiana at Monroe – Continuing Education
- #4 Baton Rouge Community College
- #5 Northshore Technical Community College
- Certification Options in Louisiana
- Step-by-Step: How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Louisiana
- How Long Does It Take?
- Cost to Become a Mental Health Technician in Louisiana
- Job Outlook for Mental Health Technicians in Louisiana
- Salary for Mental Health Technicians in Louisiana
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Mental Health Technician Do?
Mental health technicians are responsible for assisting patients with daily activities, monitoring behavior and safety, and documenting care.
Daily tasks may include observing patient responses, reporting changes to licensed clinicians, helping with therapeutic activities, and maintaining accurate records.
Common work settings in Louisiana include psychiatric wards in hospitals, outpatient clinics, group homes, and community behavioral health centers.
While job titles overlap, there are differences:
- Mental Health Technicians focus on general patient support in psychiatric and behavioral settings.
- Behavioral Health Technicians may emphasize behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques;
- Psychiatric Technicians often work more closely under medical direction in hospitals and may have additional clinical training.
Education Requirements in Louisiana
At a minimum, aspiring MHTs need a high school diploma or GED.
Many employers prefer candidates with postsecondary training.
Certificate and associate degree programs in behavioral health, psychology, or human services provide foundational knowledge in patient care, anatomy, psychology, and communication skills.
Coursework in psychology and patient care prepares you to work with diverse populations.
Top Schools Offering Mental Health Technician Programs in Louisiana
#1 Louisiana State University – Shreveport
Louisiana State University in Shreveport is part of the statewide LSU system and offers workforce training programs through its continuing education division.
It focuses on helping adult learners and career changers get the credentials and skills needed to begin working in healthcare and related support roles.
Courses Offered
The Mental Health Technician training program includes approximately 185 course hours, covering roles and responsibilities in mental health care, communication skills, cultural competency, psychology basics, patient assessment, common therapies, pharmacology related to psychiatric care, documentation procedures, and therapeutic relationship building.
Students practice real‑world scenario exercises, prepare for entry‑level positions, and receive a voucher to sit for the Mental Health Technician Certification exam.
CPR training is included.
Program Cost
Tuition for this online Mental Health Technician certificate program is approximately 3,395 dollars.
Students may be able to arrange monthly payment plans or use workforce funding options depending on eligibility.
A CPR certification workshop is part of the cost, and the exam voucher for the certification test is included.
Contact Information
- Address: One University Pl, Shreveport, LA 71115, United States
- Phone: +1 318-797-5000
- Website: Visit School Website
#2 Louisiana State University – Alexandria
LSU in Alexandria provides career training programs through continuing education that are designed to help individuals qualify for entry‑level work in health support roles.
It serves students in central Louisiana with online and flexible scheduling options.
Courses Offered
The Mental Health Technician training at this campus mirrors many aspects of other online programs, focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to assist people with mental and behavioral health needs.
It covers patient support fundamentals, psychosocial needs assessment, basic clinical skills, and certification preparation.
Students also have access to resources that support CPR certification as part of the training.
Program Cost
The tuition for the Mental Health Technician training at LSU Alexandria is roughly 3,295 dollars.
This fee typically includes the exam voucher for the national certification exam, though it does not guarantee state licensure or certification completion.
Contact Information
- Address: 8100 US-71, Alexandria, LA 71302, United States
- Phone: +1 318-473-6417
- Website: Visit School Website
#3 University of Louisiana at Monroe – Continuing Education
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers continuing education and professional development courses aimed at helping students enter healthcare support fields.
Through its programs, adults can take career‑focused training and certificates designed for rapid entry into the workforce.
Courses Offered
In addition to mental health technician-related courses, ULM provides Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training, which includes the 40 hours of required behavior analysis instruction before a competency assessment for national certification.
This kind of training is especially useful for those seeking roles involving behavioral support and intervention in clinical and community settings.
Program Cost
The RBT training program typically costs about 1,395 dollars for the full 40‑hour training with an included exam voucher when all requirements are met.
Mental Health Technician bundled options with extended training may cost more.
Contact Information
- Address: 139 University Ave #700, Monroe, LA 71209, United States
- Phone: +1 318-342-1931
- Website: Visit School Website
#4 Baton Rouge Community College
BRCC is part of Louisiana’s community college system and serves students from across East and West Baton Rouge parishes and neighboring areas.
It offers workforce and continuing education courses that combine classroom lessons with hands‑on experiences.
Courses Offered
BRCC offers a combined Certified Nurse Aide and Mental Health Technician course that includes both classroom instruction and hands‑on lab work.
This accelerated option focuses on mental health care essentials like hygiene support, basic patient assessment, and preparing students for certification exams such as the Certified Mental Health Technician exam.
Students work on practical skills that directly translate to patient care tasks in clinical environments.
Program Cost
Tuition for the Mental Health Technician part of the combined course is around 1,500 dollars.
The program includes 164 contact hours covering both theory and laboratory experiences, with additional requirements for clinical components.
Contact Information
- Address: Baton Rouge Community College
- Phone: +1 225-216-8000
- Website: Visit School Website
#5 Northshore Technical Community College
Located in Lacombe, Northshore Technical Community College serves students across multiple campuses in southeastern Louisiana.
NTCC focuses on workforce development and offers new and emerging programs aligned with regional employment needs.
Courses Offered
NTCC recently launched training aimed at preparing students for roles like psychiatric and mental health technicians.
Coursework is likely to include classroom instruction on patient care, therapeutic support skills, safety in behavioral health settings, and techniques for working with individuals experiencing psychiatric issues.
While specific credit hours and clinical details may still be developing, the program is tailored to meet local demand for trained support professionals.
Program Cost
Formal pricing for the psychiatric technician program at NTCC has not been published, but offerings from community colleges of this type are generally competitive with similar workforce certificates, often ranging from lower-cost certificate options to moderate tuition for more comprehensive training.
Prospective students can contact NTCC’s workforce training office for detailed cost information.
Contact Information
- Address: 111 Pride Dr, Hammond, LA 70401, United States
- Phone: +1 985-545-1500
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Certification Options in Louisiana
Several certifications can support a mental health technician’s career:
| Certification | Provider | Exam Required | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMHT (Certified Mental Health Technician) | National Association of Mental Health Technicians | Yes | 2 years |
| BHT (Certified Behavioral Health Technician) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | Yes | 2 years |
| State MHT License* | Louisiana licensing authority | Varies by program and role | Varies |
*Note: Louisiana does not mandate statewide licensure specifically titled “MHT,” but certain facilities may require certification or credentials aligned with behavioral health support.
National certifications like CMHT and BHT demonstrate professional commitment and may enhance job prospects.
In some programs, training includes prepared exam vouchers to sit for nationally recognized certification.
Step-by-Step: How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Louisiana
- Meet eligibility criteria (age 18+, background check).
- Complete a high school diploma or GED.
- Enroll in a certificate or associate program focused on behavioral health or related care.
- Gain supervised clinical experience through practicums or internships.
- Sit for certification exams (CMHT, BHT, or related) if desired.
- Apply for roles in Louisiana mental health facilities.
How Long Does It Take?
Fast-track paths through certificate programs can take around six months, while associate degrees typically require one to two years of study, including coursework and practicum hours.
Cost to Become a Mental Health Technician in Louisiana
Costs vary widely.
Certificate programs may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the provider and whether they include exam vouchers or supplemental training.
Associate degree programs through community colleges or technical schools involve tuition per credit hour, administrative fees, and textbook costs.
Planning for additional expenses like certification exam fees and background checks is also important.
Job Outlook for Mental Health Technicians in Louisiana
Employment demand for mental health technicians is expected to grow as the need for behavioral health services expands in hospitals, residential care settings, and community centers.
Rural and urban regions alike are increasing services for substance use, psychiatric care, and crisis intervention, creating opportunities across Louisiana’s major cities and surrounding areas.
Salary for Mental Health Technicians in Louisiana
Pay for MHTs varies by experience, facility type, and location.
Entry-level technicians may earn less than experienced practitioners in specialized settings.
Factors such as certification status, additional training, and work setting, for example, hospital versus community clinic, also influence compensation.
Average Salary of Mental Health Technicians in Louisiana
Annual Salary Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$25K | |
$30K | |
$35K |
Louisiana Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 160 | $28,980 | $13.94 | $33,970 | $25,260 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 590 | $30,850 | $14.83 | $35,860 | $26,010 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 30 | $35,880 | $17.25 | $52,510 | $28,220 |
| Lafayette, LA | 150 | $29,300 | $14.09 | $32,550 | $21,310 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 70 | $32,680 | $15.71 | $41,130 | $28,480 |
| Monroe, LA | 130 | $28,500 | $13.70 | $33,970 | $27,480 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 130 | $30,700 | $14.76 | $34,630 | $28,900 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 70 | $31,370 | $15.08 | $38,100 | $20,910 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to be a mental health technician in Louisiana?
A college degree is not always required, but completing a certificate or associate degree in behavioral health or related fields improves your job prospects.
Will certification guarantee a job?
Certification enhances credibility but does not guarantee employment.
Practical experience and strong interpersonal skills are also key to securing a position.
Can I work in a hospital as a mental health technician?
Yes.
Hospitals with psychiatric units and behavioral health services commonly hire mental health technicians.
What skills are most important for mental health technicians?
Important skills include communication, empathy, observation, patience, and crisis de-escalation.
Is certification required to work as a mental health technician in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not require specific licensure for mental health technician roles statewide, but some employers prefer or require national certifications like CMHT or BHT.
