PMHNP-C — Psychiatric Mental Health NP (AANPCB)

Who is eligible

• · Active, unencumbered RN licence.
• · Accredited graduate psychiatric mental health NP programme across the lifespan.
• · At least 500 supervised direct patient care hours in the PMHNP role.
• · The three graduate advanced practice courses plus psychotherapy content.
• · Application within the eligibility window after programme completion.

How to apply, step by step

• · Create a candidate account and submit the online application for your certification.
• · Have your program submit the official transcript and, if needed, the completion verification form.
• · Pay the application fee; a discounted fee applies to association members.
• · Receive the authorization to test and schedule at an approved testing centre or online proctored slot.
• · Test within the authorization window shown on your notice.

What the examination looks like

• · 150 items, 135 scored, three hours.
• · Emphasis on medication monitoring, safety and diagnostic criteria.
• · Scaled scoring against a fixed pass mark.

Content weighting

Exam day

• · Arrive at least 30 minutes early with a valid, unexpired government photo ID whose name matches your application exactly.
• · Nothing personal goes into the testing room — phone, watch, notes and bags are stored in a locker.
• · Use the tutorial minutes to settle your breathing and set your pacing target (about one minute per question).
• · Flag and move on. Two minutes stuck on one item costs you three easy items later.
• · Read the last line of the stem first, then the stem, then the options; answer what is actually asked.
• · Choose the safest, least invasive, guideline-consistent action unless the stem gives you a reason not to.
• · Unscored pretest items are mixed in — a strange question is not a signal that you are failing.

Keeping the credential

• · Five-year certification period.
• · 100 continuing education hours including 25 in advanced pharmacology.
• · 1,000 clinical practice hours, or re-examination.