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Exam Overview
Understandingtheanccpsychiatric-Mentalhealthnursingexam
The ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing certification exam is a competency-based examination that validates the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the psychiatric-mental health specialty. Passing it earns the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Board Certified (PMH-BC) credential. It is the RN-level specialty certification and is separate from the nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) exam.
Why Certification Matters
As mental health care gains recognition as essential to overall health, board certification sets you apart as a specialist in psychiatric-mental health nursing. It validates your skills, can expand your career opportunities and earning potential, and shows your commitment to providing the highest quality of care to patients and communities.
Administered By
The exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), and is delivered by computer at Prometric testing centers throughout the year.
Exam at a Glance
| ExamAspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Numberofquestions | 150questions:125scoredand25unscoredpretestquestionsthatarenotidentified |
| Time | 3hours |
| Questiontypes | Primarilymultiplechoicewithonebestanswer;ANCCexamsmayalsoincludealternateitemtypes |
| suchasmultipleresponse hotspot anddraganddrop , , | |
| Delivery | Computer-based testing at Prometric test centers; after approval you have a 120 -day window to |
| scheduleandtest | |
| Scoring | Scaled scoring; a scaled score of 350 or higher on a 500 -point scale is required to pass |
| Results | Providedatthetestcenterbeforeyouleave |
| Fees | $295 for ANA members and $395 for nonmembers with reduced rates for some specialty- , |
| organizationmembers(forexample $220forAmericanPsychiatricNursesAssociationmembers) , | |
| Retesting | After 60 days from your last attempt with no more than three attempts in any 12 -month period , |
Eligibility
The Four Content Domains
The test content outline follows the nursing process. Implementation carries almost half of the scored items, and every domain draws on psychopharmacology, therapeutic communication, and DSM-5-TR knowledge.
| Domain | Weight | WhatItEmphasizes |
|---|---|---|
| AssessmentandDiagnosis | About22% | Developmentalstages physiologicalcausesofpsychiatricsymptoms psychiatric , , |
| disorders andassessmenttoolsandtechniques , | ||
| Planning | About21% | Educationalconcepts culturalcompetence andtreatmentplanning , , |
| Implementation | About46% | Theoreticalframeworks treatmentmodalities groupandfamilytherapy abuse , , , |
| anddomesticviolence carecoordination medicationmanagement andhealth , , , | ||
| promotion | ||
| Evaluation | About10% | Interventioneffectiveness legalandethicalconsiderations processimprovement , , , |
| and evidence-based practice |
Keeping Your Credential
The PMH-BC credential is valid for 5 years. Renewal requires meeting ANCC's professional development and practice- hour requirements, and you may apply for renewal up to one year before your credential expires.
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