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Certification in Perinatal Mental Health PMH-C

In August 2018, the first Certification in Perinatal Mental Health became available through Postpartum Support International. 

The Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program creates a structure for professional education and evaluation, and a standardization of training and experience to inform families and payers of perinatal mental health specialists. The certification curriculum requirements build on existing evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate trainings,  adding an advanced-training component.

PSI has worked with internationally-known Certification company, Pearson VUE, to develop and publish a computer-based certification exam. Pearson VUE has 30 years’ experience providing test delivery and administration services to professional certification organizations. They have more than 250 company-owned testing centers in the US and nearly 20,000 authorized test centers globally. The Perinatal Mental Health Certification exam will be available beginning August 2018, and candidates will find complete instructions on a customized website page.

Certification Specialties

The Perinatal Mental Health Certification is available for three groups:

  • Mental Health / Psychotherapy
  • Psychopharmacology (Prescribers; including all professionals who prescribe medication including Advanced Practice Nurses)
  • Affiliated Professions (Nurses, Doulas, Lactation, Social Support, Occupational or Physical Therapists, Dietitians, and others)

Candidate Requirements

  • Practice: 2 years’ work experience in your profession, work with the Perinatal population.
  • Education and Credentials:
    • Psychotherapy: Graduate degree 
    • Psychopharmacology: Medical Degree/Advanced Practice Nursing Degree
    • Affiliated Professional: Professional Credential
  • Perinatal Mental Health Training: Completion of evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate training:
    • PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY CERTIFICATE COURSE of at least 14 hours
    • PLUS 6-hours advanced training in  your specialty. This can be a live, interactive online training, or in-person. 

* See below for more specific information on approved trainings.

STEPS TO CERTIFICATION

STEP 1: COMPLETE ONE PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY CERTIFICATE COURSE (14-hour certificate course)

REQUIRED FOR ALL TRACKS ( PSYCHOTHERAPY, PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, and AFFILIATE)

Choose ONE of the following to fulfill this requirement: 

STEP 2: COMPLETE ONE ADVANCED CERTIFICATE TRAINING specific to your track.

Note: At this time, we are considering online Advanced training on a case-by-case basis.  They must be attended live, and have an interactive component to be considered eligible. They must meet the additional requirements as usual. To submit a training, please email certification@postpartum.net.

  • PSYCHOTHERAPY/MENTAL HEALTH TRACK
    • PSI Advanced PMH certificate course will be scheduled in various locations throughout the year. Click here to see a list of courses currently open for registration and sign up for PSI emails to keep in touch.
    • List of approved Alternative Trainings – Reference the Psychotherapy/Mental Health column.
    • You can submit other advanced in-person evidence-based courses for approval of the 6 hours advanced requirement. To request approval for an advanced course, write to certification@postpartum.net
  • PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY TRACK
    • PSI’s in-person advanced psychopharmacology course is offered throughout the year. Write to certification@postpartum.net for schedule.
    • List of approved Alternative Trainings  Reference the Psychopharmacology column.
    • You can submit other advanced in-person evidence-based courses for approval of the 6 hours advanced requirement. To request approval for an advanced course, write to certification@postpartum.net
  • AFFILIATED PROFESSIONALS
    • PSI Advanced Psychotherapy certificate course will be scheduled in various locations throughout the year. Click here to see a list of courses currently open for registration and sign up for PSI emails to keep in touch. Affiliate professionals can take the PSI Advanced Psychotherapy to meet this qualification.
    • ALL breakout sessions at PSI annual conferences fulfill the requirement (minimum 6 hrs)
    • List of approved Alternative Trainings– Reference the Affiliate Column
    • You can submit other advanced in-person evidence-based courses for approval of the 6 hours advanced requirement. To request approval for an advanced course, write to certification@postpartum.net.

STEP 3: Apply to take the exam – FILL OUT THIS FORM

  • Once your application has been submitted, the approval process can take up to 2-weeks.  If you do not hear back in 2-weeks, email certification@postpartum.net.
  • Please submit your application after all requirements have been completed.

STEP 4: Register to take the exam – Pearson Vue Center near you

  • You should expect to receive an email from PearsonVue upon approval of your application.  Email will include registration instructions and your PSI ID#.  If you do not receive this in 2-weeks, email certification@postpartum.net.

STEP 5: Prepare to take the exam

  • Study the materials from your 14-hour certificate course. 
  • Purchase optional materials – PSI’s 2-day Training Manual is a great study tool.  Purchase here ( if you did not take the PSI 2-day training)
  • Review the Exam Blueprint.  The test blueprint contains the content areas for the exam and the distribution of test items across the content areas.
  • For more information, write to us at certification@postpartum.net

Questions?

Questions about PMH-C Certification OR the exam?

I Passed the PMH-C Exam.  Now what?

  • You will receive an email from the certification team with a copy of your certificate and additional information about the PMH-C Certification.
  • Sign up on the PSI Online Provider Directory, or update your profile. Provider Directory
  • Order a professionally printed copy of your PMH-C certificate here.  (Only for those that have taken and passed the PMH-C exam)
  • To keep your certification up to date, you will need to submit 12 CE hours every 2 years.  6 CEU hours per year/ 12 CEU hours every two years.
    • You can see a list of approved CE training here.
    • You can submit your CE’s every 2 years here.
  • Questions? Email certification@postpartum.net
  • Here is a full list of PMH-C recipients.

Postpartum Support International.