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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™) — Requirements & Free Practice

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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™)

Initial ANCC board certification awards PMHNP-BC after eligibility and a passing certification examination.

Licensing authority: American Nurses Credentialing Center

Initial by examination
Eligibility
Current active US state or territory RN license or a professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country; accredited PMHNP master's, post-graduate certificate, or DNP program with three separate graduate-level APRN core courses, at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours, health promotion and/or maintenance, differential diagnosis and disease management including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, and clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities. For post-graduate certificate applicants, only PGC APRN program accreditation is accepted. A final, degree-conferred official transcript is required for certification release.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) (PMHNP-BC™) Board Certification Examination

Format
Computer-based test
Exam questions
Total questions: 175; Scored questions: 150; Unscored questions: 25; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
3.5 hours
Examination outline
  • Scientific Foundation (22%)
    • Knowledge
    • Skill
  • Advanced Practice Skills (27%)
    • Skill
  • Diagnosis and Treatment (22%)
    • Knowledge
    • Skill
  • Psychotherapy and Related Theories (11%)
    • Knowledge
    • Skill
  • Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care (17%)
    • Knowledge
    • Skill
Examination sources