DBT-Linehan Board Certification: The Only Credential Endorsed by the Treatment Developer
- DBT-Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC) is the only DBT certification endorsed by Marsha Linehan — the developer of DBT
- Two certification levels: Certified Clinician (individual practice) and Certified Program (team-based) — reflecting DBT's team model requirement
- Behavioral Tech (behavioraltech.org) provides the primary intensive training pathway — multiple formats including foundational, intensive, and specialty tracks
- Portland DBT Institute offers 2025–2026 CITI training schedule with specialty modules: DBT for adolescents, DBT for substance use disorders, and introduction/next steps courses
DBT certification has been a confusing landscape. Multiple organizations offer "DBT training" or "DBT certification" with wildly varying depth, rigor, and clinical relevance. The DBT-Linehan Board of Certification cuts through this by establishing one standard: adherence to the treatment model as Marsha Linehan developed it. If you want the credential that means something to DBT-literate colleagues and referral sources, this is the one.
What certification requires
The DBT-LBC certification is not a course completion certificate. It is a competency-based credential. Candidates must demonstrate:
- Completion of comprehensive DBT training (Behavioral Tech intensive or equivalent)
- Active delivery of all four DBT modes: individual therapy, skills training group, phone coaching, and consultation team
- Supervision by a DBT-LBC certified clinician or equivalent
- Submission of recorded sessions for adherence rating
- Passage of a standardized examination (administered through Pearson VUE)
The team-based requirement is notable. DBT is designed as a team treatment — the consultation team is not optional, it is a core mode. Program certification requires an entire team to demonstrate adherence, not just individual clinicians.
The training landscape for 2026
Several structured pathways lead to certification readiness:
- Behavioral Tech Intensive: The most established pathway. Multi-day immersive training covering all DBT modes and populations. Typically offered 2–3 times annually across US and international sites.
- Portland DBT Institute CITI: Comprehensive Implementation & Training Intensive. 2025–2026 schedule includes specialty modules — DBT for adolescents and caregivers (April 2026), DBT for SUD (April–May 2026), and foundational tracks.
- Psychwire/Linehan online courses: Self-paced courses developed with Marsha Linehan directly. Lower cost, but typically supplementary — not sufficient alone for certification.
Why this matters now
The BPD treatment landscape is diversifying (see this issue's Research article on DBT vs. Schema Therapy). Clinicians choosing to specialize in DBT need a credential that signals fidelity to the model, not just familiarity with the concept. DBT-LBC certification does that. For therapists exploring whether to invest in DBT training: the certification pathway is demanding but structured — and the clinical demand for certified DBT therapists far exceeds supply.
For your practice
If you deliver DBT: pursue DBT-LBC certification. It differentiates you from the growing number of clinicians who describe their work as "DBT-informed" without systematic training. If you are considering DBT training: start with a Behavioral Tech intensive or Portland CITI, then build toward the consultation team and supervision requirements. If you refer to DBT: ask whether the provider is DBT-LBC certified — it is the only external indicator of treatment fidelity.
Many clinicians say they "do DBT." One certification proves they actually do. The treatment developer endorses only this one.