PMHNP-BC Certification: Overview and FAQ
The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) credential is for advanced-practice nurses (APRN) with specialized knowledge in treating patients with mental health issues. This national credential is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and shows that a psychiatric NP has the entry-level expertise to practice. Learn more about this credential and how to earn it.
One in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, and an aging population means that the need for psychiatric care providers will likely grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that NP employment will grow by 46% in the next decade — much faster than the average of 3% for all roles.
If you’re a nurse interested in going back to school, or a non-nurse thinking about the future, becoming a board-certified psychiatric NP could be a great choice for a rewarding and stable career.
What Is PMHNP-BC?
This credential is a requirement for practice as a psych NP, and it means that a clinician has completed specialized training in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan. A PMHNP’s scope of practice allows them to evaluate mental health conditions, prescribe medications, provide psychotherapy, and develop treatment plans for patients with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and more.
PMHNPs work in a variety of settings, including the following:
- Mental health emergency departments (psych EDs)
- Inpatient psychiatric units
- Residential treatment facilities
- Outpatient mental health clinics
- Correctional facilities
- Telehealth services
How to Become a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 5 Steps
It takes several years of training to become a PMHNP-BC, meaning, the educational and experience requirements make up a bulk of the credentialing timeline. If you’ve already completed your education, the credentialing application and exam will take just a few weeks or months. Learn more with our breakdown below:
Step 1: Become an RN
The first step toward PMHNP certification is becoming a registered nurse. This requires completing an accredited nursing program, either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While both paths lead to RN licensure, most NP programs require a BSN for admission. After graduation, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and gain state licensure to begin practicing. Learn more in our detailed guide on how to become an RN.
If you have a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for a direct-entry advanced practice program. This route will allow you to complete your prelicensure and NP schooling requirements in an accelerated curriculum.
Step 2: Gain Experience
Working as a psychiatric nurse will help you gain essential skills in patient care, medication management, and crisis intervention. Most NP programs require one to two years of RN experience. Consider any of the following areas:
- Inpatient pediatric and adult psychiatric units
- Adult behavioral health clinics
- Substance use treatment centers
- Community mental health organizations
- Eating disorder treatment facilities
- Correctional facilities
Step 3: Attend a PMHNP Program
There are three academic tracks to qualify for board certification as a PMHNP:
- Master’s degree: A 2-year program that prepares students with advanced classes in psychiatric medication management, clinical rotations, and more.
- Doctorate degree: A 3-year program that includes additional classes in data analytics, research, and more.
- Post-master’s certificate: A 1-year program in addition to a prior NP degree (such as an FNP) that includes specialized training in mental health advanced practice and psychiatric clinical experiences.
Whichever educational track you choose, your school will need to be accredited by ANCC. These include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA). Be sure that your program also includes at least 500 faculty-supervised practice hours.
In addition, ANCC requires the following courses:
- Advanced physiology/pathophysiology across the lifespan
- Advanced health assessment, including all human systems and advanced techniques
- Advanced pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics
Be sure your program also includes content covering the following areas:
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Differential diagnosis and disease management
- Clinical training in at least 2 psychotherapeutic treatment modalities
Step 4: Apply for Certification Through ANCC
The ANCC recommends applying for board certification one month before you graduate from your APRN program. They even allow applicants to take the board certification exam before graduation, as long as coursework and clinical hours are complete. Make an ANCC account to get started.
Here’s what you’ll need to apply:
- Proof of RN license
- Completed Validation of APRN Education Form as a PDF
- Final official transcript, official transcript (can be sent before program completion), or unofficial transcript (sent after program completion)
- Application fee
View the fee amounts for initial certification below:
- American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $295
- Nonmembers: $395
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners members: $340
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners student member: $290
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association member: $220
- International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses member: $340
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association members: $340
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) in your email, and you’ll be able to schedule your certification exam through Prometric. You have 120 days to do so once you receive the ATT.
Step 5: Pass the Certification Exam
The board certification exam for PMHNPs includes 175 questions, and 150 are scored. Here’s what it covers:
- Scientific foundation
- Advanced practice skills
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Psychotherapy and related theories
- Ethics, legal principles, and cultural care
How hard is the PMHNP-BC exam? The ANCC reports that the pass rate for this test is 90%, so you have a good chance of success if you prepare well. Check out the resources below as you get ready for test day:
- ANCC’s General Testing and Renewal Handbook
- PMHNP-BC Test Prep Essentials
- ANCC’s readiness tests
- Sample test questions and answers
Once you complete the exam, you can log into Prometric’s Score Reports portal to see your results. If you passed, congratulations! You’re a board-certified mental health NP. Depending on your state, you may need to go through an additional state licensure application to begin practicing. Check with your state board of nursing for more information.
Step 6: Maintain Your Credential
ANCC’s credentials must be renewed every five years to remain active, and you can submit a renewal application up to one year before your certification expires. You can track your renewal requirements in your account. See the renewal requirements below:
- Hold a current, valid RN license.
- Complete at least 75 hours of continuing education.
- Complete at least 1 of the 8 certification renewal categories.
- Pay the renewal fee.
View the renewal fees below:
- ANA members: $275
- Non-ANA members: $375
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners members: $295
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association members: $250
- International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses members: $320
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) members: $320
PMHNP-BC FAQ
What’s the average salary of a PMHNP?
BLS reports that NPs who work in psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals earn an average of $141,260 per year. Your salary in this role will vary depending on your experience, where you work, and where you live. If you’re open to a move, you might consider roles in the states with the highest salaries for NPs. View the opportunities below:
Can a PMHNP-BC prescribe medication?
Yes, although they need physician supervision in some states. PMHNPs can prescribe psychotropic medications, manage treatment plans, and adjust dosages based on patient needs, often serving as primary mental health providers. Learn more about states with full practice authority for nurse practitioners.
Can a PMHNP-BC diagnose disorders?
Yes, they can assess patients, diagnose mental health problems, and develop personalized treatment plans. PMHNPs use evidence-based guidelines and clinical judgment to identify psychiatric disorders, coordinate care, and provide therapy.
PMHNP-BC vs. psychiatrist: What’s the difference?
A mental health NP typically has similar responsibilities to a psychiatrist, but there are key differences to be aware of:
- Education: Schooling requirements for NPs include a minimum of a master’s degree, while a psychiatrist is either a Medical Doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO).
- Training: Psych NPs may go through a year-long post-graduate fellowship, while psychiatrists must spend 4 years in residency and may go through additional fellowship training afterward.
- Practice scope: NPs can only practice independently in states with full practice authority, while psychiatrists can do so in every state and have a broader scope, such as prescribing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Learn more about NP scopes of practice by referring to your state’s Nurse Practice Act.
Is a PMHNP-BC a doctor?
While a psych NP may hold a doctorate in nursing practice, they are not referred to as doctors outside of academic settings. This reduces patient confusion because physicians have more education, training, and practice scope. Learn more about the differences between NPs and doctors.
Related Certifications
- Certified Addictions Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (FNP-BC)
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Certified (FNP-C)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner – Certified (ENP-C)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (PNP-PC)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC)
Find Mental Health Nursing Roles
Curious about opportunities for nurses with PMHNP-BC? IntelyCare has roles for nursing assistants, RNs, LPNs, NPs, and more. Learn about jobs in your area with our personalized job notifications.
