PMGT-BC - Pain Management Nursing Certification
- Cost: $295-$395
- Renews every 5 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
Pain Management Nursing Board Certification (PMGT-BC) validates the knowledge and skills of registered nurses working in a pain management setting. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the PMGT-BC exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ANCC).
Eligibility
To be eligible to take the PMGT-BC exam, applicants must have:
An active RN license in any U.S. state or the legal equivalent in another country
Practiced at least 2 years full-time as a registered nurse
Completed 2,000 hours in a pain management setting within the last 3 years
Completed 30 pain-management-related Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within the last 3 years
Cost
Non-member: $395
American Nurses Association member: $295
American Society for Pain Management Nursing member: $340
Course Format
Exam Format
The PMGT board certification exam includes 150 scored questions and 25 unscored questions. It takes 3.5 hours to complete and features Pass/Fail grading. The exam has a maximum possible scaled score of 500 and a minimum passing scaled score of 350. Exam topics include:
Fundamentals of Pain - 53 questions
Interventions - 53 questions
Professional Practice - 19 questions
Test Dates
Prometric test centers offer PMGT-BC exams year-round. Examinees may also take the exam at home via Prometric’s Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) service.
Applicants register for the exam after receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice from ANCC. They can register online or by calling Prometric at (800) 998-1942.
Visit Prometric’s website
Click “Schedule” under “Test Center Certification Exam”
Read the terms and conditions
Confirm over 18 and select “I consent”
Insert ANCC ID Number and first four characters of last name
Click the arrow after the eligibility window appears
Search for a testing center
Select a test date
Exam Day Instructions
Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before exam time
Bring a government-issued ID and test confirmation number from Prometric
Store personal items in provided lockers
Certification
Go to the certification website
Click “Apply Online”
Create an account or log in
Complete education information
List state RN licenses held in all states
Add any membership information to collaborating organizations
Answer the eligibility questions
Add CEU information
Insert optional employer information
Agree to the Statement of Understanding
Input debit or credit card information
Applicants receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) upon approval. They must schedule and take the exam within 90 days of receiving their ATT.
Renewal
PMGT-BC is valid for 5 years. PMGT-BCs can submit an online renewal application up to one year before expiration. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:
Have an active RN license in any U.S. state or the legal equivalent in another country
Have a current, active PMGT-BC certification from the ANCC
Complete 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Complete one of the 8 professional development categories
Pay renewal fee
The professional development component includes the mandatory 75 CE hours PLUS completion of at least one of the following 8 categories:
75 CE hours in addition to the mandatory 75 CE hours
Academic credits: 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits
One or more presentations totaling 5 hours
One Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI) or one qualifying publication or one Institutional Review Board research project, completed dissertation or thesis, or doctoral project
At least 120 hours as a preceptor for students in an academic program
Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service with an international, national, state, or local healthcare-related organization
1,000 practice hours (not required to renew certification but option to fulfill professional development)
Pass the current PMGT-BC exam
PMGT-BCs must complete the professional development section before completing the online renewal application.
Renewal Fees
Non-member: $350
American Nurses Association member: $250
Association for Pain Management Nursing member: $295
Continuing Education
Part of the renewal process requires 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). All CEUs must be directly related to the PMGT-BC’s certification role and specialty. At least 60 CEUs must be formally approved CE hours, meaning they must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Continuing nursing education (CNE) approved by an accredited provider of CNE
Continuing medical education (CME) approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
Continuing education hours approved through the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education
ANCC accepts other healthcare discipline’s CEUs applicable to the PMGT-BC’s certification specialty. Repeat courses aren’t accepted for renewal. Renewal applicants may also convert academic coursework applicable to their certification specialty to CEUs.
PMGT-BCs should Track Professional Development on the ANCC website as they complete each activity. Renewal applicants must use their account and complete the CE section of the Professional Development Record to document their CEUs. ANCC doesn’t accept certificates of completion in place of completing Professional Development entries.
Other Resources
The ANCC provides several resources to help prepare for the PMGT-BC exam, including:
Related Certifications
Frequently asked questions
What is considered a pain management setting?
Pain management settings can include places ike outpatient pain-management clinics, inpatient units, or post-operative units.
Is the PMGT-BC exam difficult?
Like any certification exam, the PMGT-BC exam is difficult without proper preparation. In 2021, out of 152 examinees, 103 passed, or about 68%.
How soon can I retake the PMGT-BC examination if I don’t pass?
You may retest 60 days from the date you last took the PMGT-BC exam. However, candidates can’t test more than three times in any 12-month period. The retest fee is $270.
What if I let my PMGT-BC certification expire?
If your certification expired within the last 2 years, you can reactivate the certification by following the regular renewal steps. If it expired more than 2 years ago, you must resubmit an application and retest.
Is there a difference between the PMGT-BC and the Pain Management Nursing Certification?
No, it’s the same exam. The ANCC offers the PMGT-BC as a joint partnership with the American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN).
Can I earn a PMGT-BC online?
No you can't earn a PMGT-BC online.
What other certifications does the ANCC offer besides the PMGT-BC?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) also offers the following:
Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC)
Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC)
Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC)
Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)
What organization offers the PMGT-BC?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the PMGT-BC.