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Certification in Perinatal Mental Health

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

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

Candidate Requirements

  • Practice

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

    For example,  you have been working as a social worker for the last 3 years, and have worked with 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.
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.
  • Note: At this time, we are considering other online Advanced training on a case-by-case basis.  They must be attended live (virtual or in-person), and have an interactive component to be considered eligible. They must meet the additional requirements as usual. To submit a training, please submit a 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:

Apply to Take the Exam

Apply Here

  • Starting April 1st, 2022:  The application will require you to upload an employment verification form, you can download our Employment Verification/Practice Attestation Form and upload the completed form on the application.
Download Employment Verification
  • If you an accommodation request, please email certification@postpartum.net so that we can arrange your accommodation request before you register for the exam.
  • Please submit your application after all requirements have been completed. Once your application has been submitted, the approval process can take up to 3-weeks.  If you do not hear back in 3-weeks, email certification@postpartum.net.
  • If you have just completed a PSI training, it may take extra time to receive participation confirmation.  You can email your certificates when you have received them from PSI to expedite your process.

STEP 3B

STEP 4:

Register to Take the Exam When You Receive Approval

You will 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 3-weeks, email certification@postpartum.net.

Find a Nearby PearsonVue Center

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. View or download Blueprint.
  • Come to one (or more) of our First Friday FAQ sessions – register here.
  • For more information, write to us at certification@postpartum.net

Questions?

  1. Read our Certification FAQ page
  2. Join the PSI Certification team on a monthly Zoom call where we can answer any questions you may have. First Friday of the month at 1pm PST/4EST. Register in advance here.

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.

  • 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 will need to submit 12 CE hours every 2 years. 6 CE hours per year/ 12 CE hours every two years.

    • Submit your CE’s every 2 years here.

Questions? Email certification@postpartum.net