PMHNP-BC - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) certification is a specialized credential for nurse practitioners who focus on mental health care. This certification, offered by organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), demonstrates expertise in diagnosing, managing, and treating patients with psychiatric disorders. PMHNPs provide a wide range of services, including psychotherapy and prescribing medications.

Cost:

• Non-member: $395

• American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $295

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) member: $340

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) student member: $290

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

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

• Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) members: $340

Exam Format

The PMHNP certification exam assesses a candidate's knowledge and skills in psychiatric mental health across the lifespan.

Exam Length: 3.5 hours

Question Format: 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 unscored) covering psychiatric disorders, treatment modalities, psychotherapy, and patient care management

Passing Criteria: Requires a score of 350, based on a 500-point scale set by the certifying organization.

Exam Registration and Testing

Candidates must:

• Meet the eligibility criteria set by the certifying organization, including a Master’s, Postgraduate, or Doctoral degree from an accredited psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program.

• Register for the exam through the certifying organization's website and pay the examination fee.

• Schedule the exam at an authorized testing center.

• Adhere to the testing center’s rules, including presenting valid identification.

• Complete the exam within the allotted time.

• Receive results, which are typically available immediately after the exam or within a few weeks.

• Education: Complete a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program at the graduate level.

• License: Hold an active RN license.

• Application: Apply for the certification exam through the certifying organization.

• Examination: Successfully pass the PMHNP certification exam.

• Certification Issuance: Obtain certification upon meeting all requirements and passing the exam.

PMHNP-BC certification must be renewed every 5 years. Proof of professional development must be stored in the applicant’s online ANCC account before beginning their renewal application. To maintain this retired credential, applicants must:

• Hold a current, active APRN license 

• Hold current PMHNP-BC certification

• Complete 75 contact hours of continuing education (CE), including 25 CE hours in pharmacology

  • At least 60 CE hours must be formally approved by the ANCC

• Complete at least one of 8 professional development categories fully

  • One of the 8 categories is 75 hours of CE, which would be in addition to the 75 mandatory hours

• Pay renewal fee

Applicants may also renew by mail, please send a request to [email protected]. Applicants can find more details in the renewal handbook.

Renewal Fees:

• Non-member: $375

• American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $275

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) member: $295

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

• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) member: $320

• Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) members: $320

Maintaining PMHNP certification requires ongoing education to stay current with advancements in psychiatric care and treatment. This includes workshops, seminars, and academic courses related to mental health.

For the most accurate and current information on PMHNP certification, including specific eligibility criteria, exam content, and renewal processes, candidates should refer directly to the certifying organization, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Study materials for the PMHNP-BC exam include candidate handbook, content outline, reference list, sample test questions, and study tips.

Before pursuing PMHNP certification, candidates must be licensed as registered nurses (RNs) and complete a graduate-level psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program. After obtaining PMHNP certification, practitioners may pursue further specialization in areas like substance abuse, geriatric psychiatry, or child and adolescent mental health.

The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) also offers the following:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)

• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC)

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)

The ANCC offers the Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PHMCNS-BC) for renewal only.