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AMCA MHTC Certification • Nationally Recognized

MHT Certification in Illinois

Launch your mental health career in Illinois. Free training plus nationally recognized AMCA MHTC certification. 5,800+ job openings statewide.

$44,000Avg. Salary
5,800+Annual Openings
10%Job Growth
$650Total Cost
Start Free Training Today View IL Employers ↓
AMCA Accredited
100% Online
Self-Paced (8-12 Weeks)
All 50 States

How to Get MHT Certified in Illinois

EHired's Open Access model removes financial barriers. Start learning immediately—pay only when you're ready to complete.

1

Enroll Free

Sign up online in 5 minutes. No application fee, no credit check.

$0
2

Learn Online

Complete 80 hours of self-paced coursework. 8-12 weeks typical.

$0
3

Complete Program

Finish coursework. Pay only when you're ready.

$650
4

Get Certified

Take AMCA MHTC exam online. 100 questions, 70% to pass.

Included

Top Illinois MHT Employers

Illinois's major healthcare systems and state facilities actively hire AMCA-certified MHTs.

Major Employers

Illinois DHS State Hospitals

1,500+ Beds

450+ MHT hires/year

Address: 6 facilities statewide

Phone: (800) 843-6154

State system SERS pension AFSCME

Advocate Aurora Health

3,000+ Beds

120+ MHT hires/year

Address: Multiple Chicago metro locations

Phone: (630) 990-5735

Largest Illinois system

Northwestern Memorial

894 Beds

65+ MHT hires/year

Address: 251 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: (312) 926-2000

Academic medical center

Rush University Medical Center

664 Beds

55+ MHT hires/year

Address: 1653 W Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60612

Phone: (312) 942-5000

Academic center research

Additional Employers

University of Chicago Medical

50+ hires/year

Academic medical center

Phone: (773) 702-1000

Amita Health

80+ hires/year

Catholic health system

Phone: (855) 264-8246

Loyola University Medical

40+ hires/year

Academic affiliation

Phone: (708) 216-9000

OSF HealthCare

45+ hires/year

Central Illinois dominant

Phone: (309) 655-2850

Illinois MHT Salary Guide

AMCA certification adds $2,000-$4,000 to starting offers

Entry Level

$36,000

0-1 year exp.

Certified Avg

$44,000

AMCA MHTC

Experienced

$52,000

3-5 years

Top Earners

$62,000

+ benefits

Salary by Illinois Region

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RegionSalary Range% Jobs

Career Advancement in Illinois

MHT certification is your entry point to a rewarding career ladder

🎓

MHT

$36,000-$44,000

Entry Point

⭐

Lead MHT

$44,000-$52,000

2-4 Years

🏥

RN-Psych

$65K-$90K

BSN Degree

🎯

PMHNP

$110K-$140K

MSN/DNP

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about MHT certification in Illinois

How much do certified MHTs make in Illinois?
Certified MHTs in Illinois earn $44,000 on average. Entry-level positions start at $36,000, while experienced MHTs can earn $62,000+. AMCA certification typically adds $2,000-$4,000 to starting offers.
Is MHT certification required in Illinois?
Illinois does not legally require MHT certification. However, major employers strongly prefer AMCA-certified candidates. Certification improves hiring priority, starting wages, and advancement opportunities.
How much does MHT certification cost?
Through EHired, MHT training is free to enroll and learn. The $650 program completion fee covers everything: coursework, AMCA exam registration, exam fee, certification processing, and digital certificate.
How long does MHT certification take?
EHired's self-paced program takes 8-12 weeks (80 hours coursework). The AMCA exam is 100 questions, 2 hours, 70% passing. Total timeline: 10-14 weeks.

Illinois MHT Regulatory Information

State Requirements

  • • Licensure: Not required
  • • Certification: Preferred by employers
  • • Background Check: Required
  • • Education: High school diploma/GED

Regulatory Contact

Illinois DHS - Division of Mental Health

Phone: (800) 843-6154

www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29763

Why Illinois for MHT Careers?

Illinois offers a diverse MHT job market with 5,800+ annual openings concentrated in the Chicago metro area (60% of positions). Six state psychiatric facilities through DHS employ 450+ MHTs with SERS pension and AFSCME union representation. Northwestern Memorial, Rush, and University of Chicago provide academic opportunities. Downstate Illinois offers lower cost of living. Metro East benefits from Missouri wage competition. Bilingual Spanish speakers earn 8-12% premiums in Chicago suburbs.

Start Your Mental Health Career in Illinois

Free to enroll. Free to learn. $650 to complete. AMCA MHTC certification included.

$0To Enroll
$0To Learn
$650To Complete
IncludedAMCA Cert
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MHT Certification in Nearby States

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