Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certification and Licensure
Two bodies certify PMHNPs: ANCC and AANPCB. Your state board then licenses you as an NP in the psych/mental health population.
Do states license PMHNPs differently?
- No separate PMHNP license. Boards license NPs by role and population focus. The PMHNP track covers psychiatric and mental health care across the lifespan, under the "Psych/mental health" focus in the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation.
- Two certifying bodies. PMHNP-BC (ANCC) and PMHNP-C (AANPCB). Your board decides which national certifications it accepts.
- Renewal: every 5 years. Both bodies run the same cycle but ask for different evidence.
PMHNP certification options
Exams open to new candidates, from each body's own handbook and fee pages. Figures last checked October 12, 2026; fees change, so confirm before you pay.
| Certifying body | Credential | Exam fee | Questions / time | Min. clinical hours | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCC American Nurses Credentialing Center | PMHNP-BC | $395 ($295 for ANA members) | 175 questions, 3.5 hours | 500 | Every 5 years 75 CE hours (25 in pharmacology) plus 1 of 8 professional development categories |
| AANPCB American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board | PMHNP-C | $315 ($240 for AANP members) | 150 questions, 3 hours | 500 | Every 5 years 1,000 practice hours plus 100 CE hours (25 in pharmacology) |
How state licensure works for PMHNPs
The 2008 Consensus Model for APRN Regulation sets out six population foci. States that follow it issue an APRN license for a role (here, certified nurse practitioner) plus one of those foci. In its words: "APRNs are licensed at the role/population focus level and not at the specialty level."
For a PMHNP, that focus is psych/mental health. The model also requires that "Education, certification, and licensure of an individual must be congruent in terms of role and population foci. APRNs may specialize but they cannot be licensed solely within a specialty area." A clinical specialty such as dermatology or oncology is not a licensure category.
NCSBN notes that not every state has adopted every element of the Consensus Model. Your board decides what it requires, including whether it requires national certification. Practice authority and prescribing rules also come from the state where you practice: see the state guides below.
On clinical hours, the 2022 Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 6th Edition (Criterion III.H) call for at least 750 direct patient care hours per population-focused track, and simulation does not count. The NTF document sets no compliance date. Each accreditor and certifier decides when to move from its current minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a separate PMHNP license?
No. States license nurse practitioners at the role and population-focus level, not by specialty. PMHNPs fall under the "Psych/mental health" population focus in the 2008 Consensus Model for APRN Regulation, and your education, certification, and license have to match that focus.
Which certification do I need for PMHNP licensure?
Two bodies certify PMHNPs: PMHNP-BC (ANCC) and PMHNP-C (AANPCB). Both are national psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certifications, so check which one your state board accepts before you register.
How many clinical hours do you need for PMHNP certification?
PMHNP-BC and PMHNP-C each require at least 500 supervised direct patient care hours. The 2022 NTF education standards call for 750 hours but set no compliance date.
How often do you renew PMHNP certification?
PMHNP-BC renews every 5 years: 75 CE hours (25 in pharmacology) plus 1 of 8 professional development categories. PMHNP-C renews every 5 years: 1,000 practice hours plus 100 CE hours (25 in pharmacology).
Related NP specialties
Sources
- https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/Consensus_Model_for_APRN_Regulation_July_2008.pdf
- https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/practice/aprn/aprn-consensus.page
- https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/CCNE/NTFS-NP-Final.pdf
- https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner/
- https://www.aanpcert.org/wp-content/uploads/PMHNP-Candidate-Handbook-06-04-2026.pdf
- https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/certification/renewals/ancc-certrenewalrequirements.pdf
- https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/certification/renewals/ancc-generaltestingrenewalrequirements.pdf
- https://www.aanpcert.org/certify/
- https://www.aanpcert.org/certify/pmhnp-exam/