Nursing
AANPCB PMHNP-CPsychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Certified
The AANPCB PMHNP-C is the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, first administered in 2024 as a clinically-focused alternative to ANCC's long-established PMHNP-BC. Diagnostic items are mapped to the DSM-5-TR, and the exam follows AANPCB's four-domain process model — Assess, Diagnose, Plan, Evaluate — applied across the lifespan from children through older adults. Like other AANPCB exams it omits theory, research, and policy items, keeping all 135 scored items on clinical PMHNP practice.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam.
- Passing score
- 500 / 800 (scaled, AANPCB standard)
- Format & length
- 150 questions (135 scored + 15 pretest) · 3 hours
- Voucher cost
- $315 standard / $240 AANP or AAENP members
- Prerequisites
- Active US RN license + MSN, post-graduate certificate, or DNP from an accredited psychiatric-mental health NP program
- Validity
- 5 years (renew by 1,000 clinical practice hours + 100 CE contact hours, or retake the exam)
Exam facts sourced from the official AANP Certification Board certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
What’s tested
Key topics on the AANPCB® PMHNP-C exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official AANPCB® PMHNP-C exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Assess
- Diagnose
- Plan
- Evaluate
- Neurodevelopmental & psychotic disorders
- Mood, anxiety, trauma & stressor-related disorders
- Substance use & other commonly encountered DSM-5-TR diagnoses
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
PMHNP program graduates who prefer the AANPCB clinical-only format over ANCC's broader theory/research blueprint, and PMHNPs in states or systems that accept either certification.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
PMHNP is the highest-demand and best-paid NP specialty in the US, driven by the national mental-health workforce shortage and the rise of telepsychiatry. State boards accept either AANPCB or ANCC for licensure, but AANPCB's newer exam is gaining share among 2024+ graduates who want a purely clinical sitting. Many telehealth and outpatient psych employers list either credential.
Sample question
What a AANPCB PMHNP-C question looks like.
A 15-year-old girl with a known history of ADHD arrives at the clinic exhibiting unusual behavior, disorientation, elevated blood pressure of 133/90, and a heart rate of 72. Her parents report observing her repeatedly touching her abdomen and rapidly blinking her eyes over the past few weeks. During the visit, she appears confused and struggles to answer questions. Which condition most likely explains this presentation?
See the answer & explanation
Correct: C. Epilepsy
Why: This patient's presentation is consistent with complex partial seizures, which typically feature sensory auras and automatisms. Before a seizure, the patient may report an unusual smell or taste. During the event, automatisms such as lip smacking, eye blinking, or repetitive touching can occur, accompanied by impaired consciousness. Hypoglycemia does not explain this constellation of findings, and neither OCD nor major depressive disorder would produce the observed alteration in consciousness.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
1,110 questions covering every objective on the official AANPCB® PMHNP-C exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking AANPCB® PMHNP-C unlocks every other Nursing exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about AANPCB PMHNP-C
What is the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam?
The AANPCB PMHNP-C is the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, first administered in 2024 as a clinically-focused alternative to ANCC's long-established PMHNP-BC. Diagnostic items are mapped to the DSM-5-TR, and the exam follows AANPCB's four-domain process model — Assess, Diagnose, Plan, Evaluate — applied across the lifespan from children through older adults.
How many questions are on the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam, and how long is it?
150 questions (135 scored + 15 pretest) · 3 hours
What is the passing score for the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam?
500 / 800 (scaled, AANPCB standard)
How much does the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam cost?
$315 standard / $240 AANP or AAENP members
Are there prerequisites for the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam?
Active US RN license + MSN, post-graduate certificate, or DNP from an accredited psychiatric-mental health NP program
How long is the AANPCB PMHNP-C certification valid?
5 years (renew by 1,000 clinical practice hours + 100 CE contact hours, or retake the exam)
How many questions does the AANPCB PMHNP-C bank have?
1,110 questions, organized into 7 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Nursing exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the AANPCB® PMHNP-C content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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