PMHN Practice Test

Who is eligible to take the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing board certification examination?

You’re eligible to take the PMHN exam if you meet these requirements:

• Hold a RN license in the United States or equivalent from another country
• Have a minimum of two-years of experience (or its equivalent) as a full-time RN
• Have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice (in the last three years) in psychiatric–mental health nursing
• Completed 30 hours of continuing education, within the last three years, in psychiatric–mental health nursing

OK. I meet the requirements. How do I register to take the test?

You can apply online to take the exam. You may apply anytime during the year, and take the test within a 90-day testing window.

What if I need to reschedule the exam?

You can request a one-time extension to take the test in a new testing window. There is a $100 re-assignment fee.

Where do I take the test?

There are hundreds of test centers across the United States, so one should be convenient to you.

How much does it cost to take the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing board certification examination?

Costs vary. Here are the fees:

• American Nurses Association member: $270
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association member: $282
• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses: $340
• Non-member: $395

What if I need to cancel my test?

You may request a cancellation within your testing window. An administration fee ($140) and other fees are non-refundable.

How many questions are on the exam?

There are 175 total questions. Of those, 150 questions are scored and 25 pre-test questions are not.

What areas does the test cover?

The test covers four subject --- or domain --- areas. The number in parenthesis represents the number of questions covered in each domain.

• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Planning (40 questions): Covers assessment tool techniques; knowledge of pathophysiology related to mental illness; Psychiatric disorders; care strategies; and more

• Implementation and Evaluation (50): Includes patient safety and risk reduction interventions, psychopharmacology, and more

• Nurse-Patient Relationship and Professional Development (41): Examines the nurse-patient relationship. That includes coping and defense mechanisms, and care system support.

• Patient Education and Population Health (19): Includes topics that cover teaching and learning for groups and individuals.

How long is the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing board certification examination?

The exam is a total of 4 hours. You have 3.5 hours to take the test, with the rest of the time used for check-in, instruction and practice time on the computer used to take the test.

What identification do I need on the day of the exam?

Please bring one of these three items, and make sure they’re current (in other words, unexpired): A state-issued driver’s license; state-issued identification; passport; or U.S. military identification. If you do not bring acceptable ID to the testing center, you will not be allowed to take the test. Furthermore, you’ll be required to submit additional documentation and pay extra fees in order to reschedule.

Are there items I should not bring into the testing room?

Yes. All personal electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, etc.) are prohibited. If you use your cell phone or any other electronic device during testing, you will be dismissed from the examination. Other items, such as books, food, drink, water, and more, are prohibited as well. Additionally, eyeglasses will be inspected, and jewelry and other accessories are subject to visual inspection.

When will I get my test results?

You will get your test results at the testing center before you leave.

What if I fail? Can I take the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing board certification examination again?

If you fail, you can take the test again by waiting 60 days and paying all associated fees. We may take the test up to three times in a 12-month period.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center, in its handbook, recommends a six-month study plan to prepare for the exam. This is where Mometrix can prove to be an invaluable resource. Our professionally crafted study guides and flashcards are exactly what you need to prepare for this challenging test.

Need a comprehensive study guide? We have one that has been researched by a team of professionals with years of experience helping candidates prepare for important tests like this. The guide provides specifics on how to tackle the questions you will be asked.

Need Flashcards? Our large, easy-to-read flashcards effectively helps you learn through repetition, and the questions cover every content area of the exam. Not only that, the cards make learning fun. You can ask a friend or relative to help quiz you on the questions you’ll need to know to pass the Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing board certification examination.

Both the study guide and flashcards contain important bonuses for your preparation --- bonuses to help you with your test preparation. There are practice test questions that will help you test your knowledge on the topics you will face; a method to maximize flashcard learning; study secrets to get the highest score possible; and ways to overcome test anxiety.