Psychiatric Nurse Certification (PMH-BC): Overview and FAQ

A psychiatric nurse certification is a specialized credential that recognizes your expertise in mental health nursing. It arms you with the latest knowledge and skills to work with patients battling conditions like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. On top of that, it opens up a world of career growth opportunities, such as higher-paying roles and leadership positions.

If you’re considering psychiatric nursing certification, you’re in the right place. This article will explain what the certification is, how to get it, and the benefits it offers.

Psychiatric Nurse Certification (PMH-BC): Snapshot

• Eligibility: Current RN license, 2 years of nursing experience, a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice, and 30 hours of continuing education in psychiatric–mental health nursing within the past 3 years
• Study materials: ANCC test reference list, content outline, sample questions, and psychiatric nurse certification practice test
• Application process: Complete the online application and submit all the required documents
• Cost: $395
• Exam: 3-hour test with 150 questions (125 scored and 25 unscored)
• Renewal: Every 5 years

What Is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Certification?

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) is a professional credential awarded to registered nurses (RNs) who’ve demonstrated advanced skills and knowledge in mental health nursing by passing an exam. It’s issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), an internationally recognized authority in nursing education and specialty certification.

Wondering what the ANCC psychiatric nurse certification exam looks like? It will assess your knowledge across five broad categories:

• Assessment
• Diagnosis
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation

Each of these categories includes a variety of specialty-specific topics, such as:

• Assessment techniques (eg., mental status exams and trauma history)
• Treatment planning (eg., interdisciplinary care and SMART goals)
• Care coordination (eg., handoffs and finding community resources)
• Therapeutic communication (eg., active listening and motivational interviewing)
• Medication management (eg., reconciliation and side effects)
• Running psychoeducational groups (eg., stress management and relapse prevention)
• Health promotion (eg., self-care and preventing substance use)
• Crisis management (eg., behavioral and medical emergencies)
• Cultural competence (eg., ethnicity and religion)
• Legal and ethical issues (eg., self-determination and consent)

How to Get a Psychiatric Nurse Certification

Let’s dive into psychiatric nurse certification requirements and explore the key steps to earning this credential.

1. Meet Eligibility Criteria

If you’re not yet a licensed registered nurse, you’ll need to start by completing an associate or bachelor’s nursing degree program. Then, you’ll need to take the NCLEX-RN, the national certification exam, and apply for your nursing license through your state board of nursing.

Here’s your eligibility checklist for the PMH-BC certification:

• Active RN license
• 2 years of full-time nursing experience
• 2,000 hours of specialty practice within the past 3 years
• 30 hours of specialty-specific continuing education units within the past 3 years

2. Start Preparing for the Exam

Once you’ve checked off your eligibility requirements, it’s time to hit the books. Here are some resources to help you get ready:

• Content outline for your test
• PMH-BC reference list
• ANCC’s readiness tests
• Sample test questions
• Role delineation study
• General testing and renewal handbook
• Preparation tips
• Review and resource manual
• PMH-BC online review course

3. Submit an Application

Now that you’ve put in the study time, you’re probably curious about how to apply for the psychiatric nurse certification exam. Simply create an online application, fill in all the required fields, upload the necessary documents, and submit it. After your application is reviewed, you’ll get an authorization to test. You’ll then have 120 days to book your appointment at Prometric testing centers or through live remote proctoring.

4. Pay the Fee

What is the psychiatric nurse certification cost? Here’s a rundown of the fees associated with getting a PMH-BC-certification:

• Certification fee: $395
• Preparation book: $114
• Readiness test: $85
• Online review course: $359

The overall cost can depend on factors such as professional membership discounts, exam retake fees, additional study materials, and potential travel expenses if you’re testing in person.

5. Pass the Exam

On your test day, don’t forget to arrive on time and bring along the required identification. Anxious to know what the test will look like? Here’s a quick glimpse of what to expect:

• You’ll have 3 hours to take your test.
• You’ll need to answer 150 questions (125 scored and 25 unscored ones).
• You’ll need to score 350 or higher (out of 500) to pass.

Once you finish your exam, you can view your results at the testing center. The day you pass is your certification’s start date.

4. Maintain the Certification

Once you’re certified, you’ll need to renew every five years. You can apply for renewal up to a year before your credential expires. To do this, you’ll need to earn 75 continuing education hours from an approved provider and complete at least one of the following:

• Continuing education hours: Earn 75 hours of specialty-specific continuing education hours on top of the 75 mandatory hours.
• Academic credits: Complete 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits in courses related to your specialty.
• Presentations: Create 1 or more presentations totaling at least 5 hours in your specialty.
• EBP/QI project: Complete a project that shows your problem-solving skills.
• Publication: Publish articles in a journal or book chapter, or author content related to your specialty.
• Research: Complete a research project, dissertation, thesis, or doctoral project related to your specialty.
• Preceptor hours: Work as a preceptor for students for at least 120 hours in a related academic program or during clinical supervision.
• Professional service: Complete two or more consecutive years of volunteer service.
• Practice hours: Acquire a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in your specialty.
• Test or portfolio: Sit for and pass the test.

Whichever route you choose, ensure that all relevant information is uploaded to your online account, along with the $350 renewal payment.

How Much Does a Psychiatric Nurse Make?

In the U.S., psychiatric nurses typically earn around $85,400 annually, though that number can fluctuate. Factors like your education level, certifications, experience, skills, and location all play a role in determining your salary.

If you are open to relocation, here are five states with some of the highest nurse salaries:

• California
• Hawaii
• Oregon
• Washington
• Alaska

FAQs: Psychiatric Nursing Certification

What is the career outlook for psychiatric nurses?

Job growth for registered nurses is expected to go up by 6% over the next decade, which is faster than average for all occupations. On top of that, more than one in five adults in the U.S. — around 59.3 million people or 23.1% of the adult population — are living with a mental illness. This means there’s a strong demand for nurses in this field, so your job prospects look promising.

Are there other certifications available for psychiatric nurses?

Yes, PMH-BC certification is just one mental health nurse specialized credential. If you’re a pediatric nurse, consider pursuing the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) certification by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). And if you’re a nurse practitioner, you have two options:

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Is it possible to get certified online?

Yes, you can study and take the exam for your psychiatric nurse certification online. The PMHS and PMH-BC certification exams can be taken with live remote proctoring.

How long does it take to get PMH-BC certification?

Once you’ve met the eligibility requirements, ANCC suggests you spend about six months preparing for the exam. After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll have 120 days to pick a date for the test. So, it usually takes about 10 months to get certified.

Is the PMH-BC exam difficult?

The exam’s difficulty can be a matter of personal perception. However, the PMH-BC pass rate is 73%, so many nurses succeed if they study well.

What do I do if I fail the PMH-BC exam?

Failed the exam? Don’t panic. You can always try again. You can submit a retest application just five days after the exam and, after a 60-day wait, you’re ready for a retake. You’ll have three attempts within a year, and the retest fee is $270.

How do I verify my PMH-BC certification?

You can verify your certification through the ANCC online portal, and processing takes about seven business days. Your first verification in each renewal cycle is free, but every one after that costs $40. For institutions, the fee is $50.

Where can I gain the required experience for the certification exam?

Here’s a rundown of potential workplaces where you can get experience in psychiatric nursing:

• Psychiatric units in acute care hospitals
• Substance abuse centers
• Community health facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Psychiatrist offices in outpatient care facilities

What are the benefits of PMH-BC certification?

In the healthcare world, credentials after your name speak volumes about your expertise and skill set. On top of that, certification brings a number of added benefits:

• Enhanced credibility: Earning the PMH-BC certification establishes you as a qualified expert in mental health nursing.
• Professional connections: Networking opportunities may arise during psychiatric nurse certification programs.
• More job opportunities: Having the PMH-BC credential can give your psychiatric nurse resume a significant boost, as employers may prefer hiring certified nurses.
• Higher pay: You may earn a promotion, as certification can be a factor in salary discussions.
• Sharpened skills: Studying for the certification helps you brush up on your knowledge and skills, keeping you in the loop with the latest trends in the specialty.

Relevant Certifications

• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
• Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
• Nurse Coach Certification (NCC)
• Certified Case Manager (CCM)
• Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)

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