The world’s first Certification in Perinatal Mental Health is available through Postpartum Support International.

The Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Program recognizes individuals who possess the competency required to help mothers, fathers, and families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the perinatal period. 

The PMH-C creates a structure for professional education and evaluation of individuals who provide support in the perinatal period to inform families and payers of the competency of perinatal mental health specialists. The certification curriculum requirements were established based on existing evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate trainings, with an advanced-training component. The certification examination, first established in 2018 and validated in a 2024 job task analysis study, establishes the performance standard for individuals practicing as perinatal mental health specialists.

PSI has contracted with the 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. 

PMH-C 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, PAs and PharmD.

  • Affiliated Professions

    Peer Supporters/Peer Specialists, Nurses, Doulas, Lactation, Support Group Leaders, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Community Health Workers, Speech Therapists, and others

Applicant Requirements

  • Practice

    2 years work experience in your profession, working with the Perinatal population.

    For example,  you have been working as a social worker for the last 3 years, and have worked with a young family that just had a child.  You have 1.5 year of experience at one job, and 1.5 years at your new job.  Yes, that counts.

  • Education and Credentials
    • Psychotherapy: Graduate degree
    • Psychopharmacology: Medical Degree/Advanced Practice Nursing Degree
    • Affiliated Professional: Professional Credential and/or Specialized Training
  • 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.
Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program (PMH-C)
Download the 2-page Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program (PMH-C) flyer
Download the Candidate Handbook

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

  • All PSI virtual and in person Advanced Certificate trainings are approved for the Step 2 requirement.
  • Other online Advanced training are approve d on a case-by-case basis.  The training must be attended live (virtual or in-person) and have an interactive component to be considered eligible. To submit an advanced training course for review, use this form HERE.
  • PSI Advanced Perinatal Psychotherapy certificate courses are scheduled in various locations and online throughout the year. Click here to see a list of Advanced Certificate courses currently open for registration and sign up for PSI emails to keep in touch.
  • You can submit other advanced live (virtual or in person), evidence-based courses for approval of the 6 hours advanced requirement. To request approval for an advanced course, fill out this form. 
  • PSI’s Advanced Perinatal Psychopharmacology course is offered throughout the year. View the schedule HERE or write to trainings@postpartum.net for future Advanced Psychopharmacology dates.
  • You can submit other advanced in-person evidence-based perinatal psychopharmacology courses for approval of the 6 hours advanced requirement. To request approval for an advanced course, fill out this form.
  • PSI Advanced Psychotherapy certificate course will be scheduled in various locations throughout the year. Click here to see a list of PSI 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 for advanced affiliated professionals training (minimum 6 hrs)
  • 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, fill out this form.

STEP 3A:

After you have completed the required training, and have received participation confirmation, Please upload the completed employment verification form and training documentation.

Download and complete the Employment Verification Form

Upload Documentation Evidence

STEP 3B

Apply to Take the Exam

Apply Here

Submit your application after all requirements have been completed and documentation has been submitted in Step 3A. Once your application has been submitted, the approval process takes up to 3 weeks due to the time to verify employment and training records.

STEP 4:

With an approved application, register to take the exam

You will receive an email from PearsonVue upon approval of your application. The email will include registration instructions and your PSI ID#.  

Find a Nearby PearsonVue Center

STEP 5:

Prepare to Take the Exam

 Come to one (or more) of our First Friday FAQ sessions – register here.

Step 6A

Once you have passed the PMH-C Exam,

You will receive an email from the certification team within the month of your passing result with a copy of your certificate and additional information about the PMH-C Certification.

  • Congratulations! You can officially use PMH-C after your name!
  • You will receive a digital copy of your certificate
  • You will receive multiple logos that you can be used for marketing purposes.
  • You can update your Directory listing to include PMH-C to your name

Keep Your Certification Up-to-date

To keep your certification up-to-date, you are required to submit 12 continuing education (CE) hours every 2 years. Within the three months before the expiration date of your PMH-C, submit your CE documentation. Do not submit the documentation until 3 months prior to the expiration date.   

CE Submissions

Step 6B

If you did not pass the PMH-C exam, you are allowed to retake the exam after a 3-month waiting period. Use this time to study the areas of the blueprint where you performed less well on your first exam.

When you are ready, register to retake the exam directly with Pearson VUE. Log in to your Pearson VUE portal for retake options and to pay the retake fee. 

More Information

PMH-C Recipients

View a full list of PMH-C recipients

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Perinatal Mental Health Certification

For more information contact certification@postpartum.net

  • You can officially use PMH-C after your name!

    You will receive an email from PSI with more information and digital resources in the following month. (If you passed in Nov, you will receive in Dec).

    • You will receive a digital copy of your certificate
    • You will receive multiple logos that you can be used for marketing purposes.
    • You can update your Directory listing


  • Keep Your Certification Up-to-date

    To keep your certification up-to-date, you are required to submit 12 continuing education (CE) hours every 2 years. Log in to view your expiration date in your PSI Portal. Once logged in, click “PMH-C Status” in the left-hand panel.

    Within the three months before the expiration date of your PMH-C, submit your CE documentation. Do not submit the documentation until 3 months prior to the expiration date.

Questions? Email certification@postpartum.net