PMH-BC - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse - Board Certified

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse - Board Certified (PMH-BC) certification provides credentials for registered nurses who work in a mental health setting. Eligible nurses can complete an exam online or in person to obtain this certification. This certification represents competence in mental health nursing skills such as assessment and intervention strategies. This certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

Professional certification in mental health nursing can help prove your competence to future and current employers. This certification is also a great addition to any resume and can be added to your nursing portfolio to help set you apart from other candidates when applying for future jobs and/or graduate school.

This exam is made up of 150 questions and takes up to 3 hours to complete. It is designed for registered nurses who are hoping to obtain a certification in psychiatric mental health nursing. The initial certification costs $395 to complete for anyone who is not already a member of the ANA. 

• You’ll first want to confirm your eligibility for the test by reviewing the requirements of the exam.

• Next, you can apply online to take the test and spend some time reviewing test prep material to ensure that you are ready for the exam. 

• Once you’ve received your Authorization to Test, you’ll need to decide on whether you’d like to take the test in person or online.

To obtain a PMH-BC, you have to hold a current RN license and have at least two years of experience working as a registered nurse. You’ll also have to have logged at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in psychiatric nursing and have completed 30 hours of continuing education material. 

If you meet the eligibility for this certification, you’ll need to apply to take the certification exam. This exam can be taken online or in person at a testing center. The cost to obtain this certification depends on whether you choose to purchase test preparation material or not. The test itself costs $395, but you may be able to get a discounted rate if you hold a membership with the American Nurses Association or the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. You can also purchase test prep essentials for $399 to help better prepare you for the exam before you take it, although this is not a requirement. 

Test Fees

• Non-member fee: $395

• American Nurses Association (ANA) member fee: $295

• American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) member fee: $220

• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) member fee: $340

Results

The PMH-BC exam is scored electronically. Pass/Fail results are provided. If an examinee does not pass, an official score report provides feedback for each content area. Examinees who do not pass the examination may retest after 60 days from the last date tested. Candidates may not test more than three times in 12 months. Candidates must apply to retest.

Your Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Certification will be good for 5 years before you need to renew it. Be sure to keep track of your renewal date so that you don’t miss it. The renewal price for those who are not members of the ANA is $350. You’ll have to create an ANCC account and enter in proof of professional development prior to applying for your renewal. Once these steps are complete, you can apply online to renew your certification. 

Becoming a psychiatric nurse offers a variety of different benefits, including a higher than average salary when compared with other nursing positions. Completing a professional certification can help jumpstart your career as a psychiatric nurse by offering you valuable information and confirming your competence. If you already work as a psychiatric nurse, this certification can help with your career development, possibly making you eligible for higher-paying positions as well as setting you apart from other applicants when looking for new work opportunities. 

Renewal Fees:

• Non-member fee: $350

• American Nurses Association (ANA) member fee: $250

• American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) member fee: $250

• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) member fee: $295

The ANCC offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Content Outline

• Practice Test Cost: $85

• Handbook

• Sample Questions

• Reference List

Nurse practitioners can also become certified in psychiatric nursing. If you plan to work towards a career as a nurse practitioner, then you’ll want to look into the ​​Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP-BC).

Other related certifications include:

• Certified Correctional Health Professional - Mental Health (CCHP-MH) validates the knowledge and skills of mental health professionals who have experience and demonstrated a passion for working with the incarcerated population.

• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI): Teaches participants de-escalation techniques and risk assessment.

• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills Training (NCI-Advanced-CPI): Combines verbal and restrictive intervention strategies with advanced physical skills to manage high-risk situations.