PMHS Exam FAQs

Benefits include: Formal recognition of your expertise. This exam will validate the added knowledge, skills, and expertise of pediatric providers a...

No. PNCB certification in pediatric behavioral/mental health will not impact an APRN's (NP or CNS) current licensure status. PMHS specialty certificat...

Third-party payers often look at the credentials of those providing the intended service, but at this point, we cannot reliably say that this specialt...

The cost is $300. Please visit Fees & Procedures for more information, including re-test fee and the cost to move your testing window.

Review the eligibility requirements developed by our expert panel of pediatric APRNs and approved by the PNCB Board of Directors. There are 3 paths to...

Yes. The exam candidate typically has a self-identified interest in developmental, behavioral, and mental health problems seen in children and adolesc...

No. The typical exam candidate might care for patients with behavioral mental health needs anywhere from one-half day per week to 3 or more days per w...

It is recognized that children receive behavioral mental health care in a variety of settings, including crisis intervention in emergency departments...

The role delineation research study developed to identify critical content areas for the exam incorporated essential pediatric developmental and behav...

No. Any APRN meeting the exam's eligibility requirements may apply for this APRN specialty exam.

Child psych/mental health APRNs have been certified to provide expert care to children and adolescents with mental health diagnoses, including serious...

You will attest to the clinical hours in the application and upload documentation.

No, this clinical experience is not required to be with a preceptor.

No. the faculty pathway is a new/different option to meet eligibility criteria. If you also meet the criteria for another PMHS eligibility pathway, yo...

Not at this time. In spring 2022, CPNP-ACs were invited to participate in PNCB's PMHS Job Task Analysis Extension Study. Findings demonstrated that pr...

The PMHS exam contains 150 multiple-choice items. Total testing time is 2.5 hours or 150 minutes.

Review the content outline and more on our Exam Resources page, to see what types of items will be on the exam, and compare this to your preparation a...

No, because certification exams are secure, and important efforts are made to ensure that security, some of which you noticed at the testing center. T...

Exam-takers should know common, generic drug names applicable to the role of the certification exam being taken. Many brand names, while still discuss...

Yes, you may see pictures (images) or graphics on your exam, although they may not be a part of every exam form in use at any given time. Images and g...

There may be a rare exception, but largely, no—reference ranges are not typically provided in exam questions. When a question contains laboratory valu...

Study the most recent guidelines relevant to your credentialing exam. PNCB maintains awareness of when new or updated guidelines are published by nati...

No, candidates are not expected to memorize vaccine schedules as PNCB and its committees of volunteer item writers recognize how often immunization sc...

For any infectious disease, questions are only included on the exam if supported within current textbook references approved for the exam or a nationa...

Exam-takers should know common, generic medication names applicable to pediatric practice. Many brand-name medications, while still commonly discussed...

Every question on a PNCB exam that counts towards a candidate’s score undergoes rigorous review before it is used on an exam as a scored question. Aft...

Visit the PMHS Recertification page for full details.

Documentation of name change is needed if the name on the exam application and/or exam eligibility notification is different than the first and last n...

Order a new certificate here. Lapel pins are coming soon to the PNCB gear store.