PMHNP Practice Test

To be eligible, candidates must hold an active RN license and a master’s, post-graduate, or doctoral degree from an accredited psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program. The program must include both didactic and clinical components in advanced psychiatric nursing practice.

Both certifying bodies organize the content into several major domains, which typically include:

• Scientific Foundation (e.g., neuroanatomy, advanced pharmacology).
• Advanced Practice Skills (e.g., clinical interviewing, risk assessment).
• Diagnosis and Treatment (e.g., using DSM-5 criteria, pharmacotherapeutic management).
• Psychotherapy and Related Theories (e.g., principles of various psychotherapies).
• Ethics, Legal Principles, and Cultural Care (e.g., scope of confidentiality, patient advocacy).

It uses a scaled scoring system where a score of 350 or higher (on a scale of 1-500) is required to pass. You'll see a preliminary score report immediately after the exam.

Apply through the ANCC website, submit required documents (transcripts, validation of education form), pay the fee, and schedule your exam with Prometric after receiving Authorization to Test (ATT) email.

PMHNP holders can work in high-demand roles like outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatry, substance abuse treatment, or VA systems, often with salaries averaging $120,000-$150,000 annually. It expands scope to prescribe medications, conduct therapy, and lead mental health programs, addressing the growing need for providers amid mental health crises. Many pursue telepsychiatry for flexibility.

Effective preparation typically includes 2-3 months of dedicated study using multiple resources: comprehensive review books, Prephow PMHNP practice question banks, review courses (online or in-person), and study groups. Focus on high-yield topics like psychopharmacology, DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and lifespan considerations. Practice questions that mirror the exam format are particularly valuable for familiarizing yourself with the test style.

Our practice bank is built directly from the official ANCC PMHNP exam blueprint and continuously updated using real PMHNP exam reported questions from test-takers. This dual approach ensures you review the exact domains tested and practice with the question style and clinical scenarios you’re most likely to encounter.

An effective study plan for PMHNP exam success uses our questions as both an assessment and learning tool. Start by taking a baseline test to identify gaps. Then, systematically work through questions aligned with each area of the ANCC PMHNP exam study guide, focusing on rationales. In your final weeks, simulate the exam with timed, full-length mock tests.

This practice question bank is the essential engine of your ANCC PMHNP exam prep. For a comprehensive strategy, it should be paired with a detailed ANCC PMHNP exam study guide.