Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health
Specialist Certification Exam

Improving Access to Care for Children and Adolescents with Behavioral and Mental Health Concerns

The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) has gathered information from a variety of national resources to establish interest in the development of a mechanism of formal recognition of a post APRN certification specialty in child and adolescent mental and behavioral health. This exam will help to address the need to strengthen care to children and families experiencing these health care concerns. The purpose of this exam is to recognize and validate eligible primary care providers who have added knowledge, skills, and expertise in the early identification, intervention and collaboration of care of children and adolescents with mental and behavioral health concerns. The PNCB developed the PMHS exam for the eligible PNP, FNP, and CNS who:

• Provides improved early access to care for children, adolescents, and families with behavioral and mental health concerns.

• Is experienced in early identification and intervention for behavioral and mental health concerns typically seen in primary care.

• Assesses, diagnoses, and manages mental health and behavioral concerns. When needed, these providers also help patients and their families manage these concerns until specialized care is available.

• Plays a role in collaboration and coordination of care with other professionals in medical and educational settings. If this describes your practice, the PNCB invites you to review eligibility criteria, the exam content outline, and apply.

Who Can Take This Exam?

APRNs
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Family Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
See full eligibility information>>

Benefits

Specialty certification in child and adolescent behavioral and mental health care provides added recognition, beyond APRN certification, of practice knowledge and expertise in child and adolescent behavioral and mental health care. This specialty certification is not linked to APRN state licensure requirements.

Updates

Below is a timeline of PMHS exam development. For questions about the exam, please contact pncb@pncb.org.

LATEST UPDATE! 12/05/11 The PMHS exam is now open to applications from qualifying candidates. Find out if you are eligible and apply for the exam. For more information, view the press release.

11/03/11 Congratulations to the 182 beta testers who successfully earned this new credential. We anticipate that the final exam will launch in December of 2011.

8/23/11 Psychometric analysis of the beta test is being finalized, and we expect results to be mailed to testers no later than the end of September. We anticipate that the final exam will launch near the end of the year.

4/19/11 Due to tremendous response, the beta test opportunity closed on the first day in less than 7 hours with a full 250 completed applications from eligible candidates. The formal exam will launch late 2011. Thank you for your interest in this exam, and be sure to sign up for updates about the official exam launch in late 2011 by contacting updates@pncb.org.

3/11 The PNCB is pleased to announce that beta/pilot test development is underway. An announcement concerning a special time-limited opportunity for eligible candidates to take the beta PMHS exam at no cost will be shared soon.

9/10 The PNCB hosted more than 20 primary care CPNPs, FNPs, and other child and adolescent experts in August to begin item development for this new specialty certification exam. Item development will continue through the winter, and launch of this new exam is anticipated for 2011.

5/10: The PNCB currently seeks experts in the field of Child & Adolescent Behavioral & Mental Health for a special item writing and beta testing opportunity for a new specialty exam. Find out how you can get involved and earn the credential by contacting volunteer@pncb.org.

4/10: The content outline and eligibility recommendations are now available.

2/10: The role delineation study for this exam is now closed. Thank you to everyone who responded. Our expert panel meets in March to analyze responses and continue work on the development of this exam.

6/09: The PNCB met with behavioral and mental health experts to plan the role delineation study that will support the design of this exam. Research survey analysis and other activities will continue through 2009.

2/09: A comprehensive task force that included representatives of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) met at the PNCB National Office to review the results of our Child and Adolescent Behavioral and Mental Health Exam Needs Assessment Survey.