Certification: Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS)

9605 Medical Center Drive, Suite 250, Rockville, Maryland 20850

The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) builds upon the NP or CNS role to provide advanced assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of common behavioral and mental health problems in children and adolescents. Therapeutic services include early recognition, intervention, and active monitoring as well as appropriate referral for complex individual and family mental health disorders. Health care services are evidence-based and include the use of behavioral and mental health screening tools, brief psychotherapeutic interventions, and psychopharmacology. The APRN PMHS coordinates care and collaborates with others to enhance quality mental health services for children and families. Practice settings may include pediatric primary care, family practice, school-based clinics, and developmental or other specialty services.

More than two years of education or training after high school required?
Yes
More than two years of work experience required?
No
Oral or Written Exam Required?
Yes
Renewal Required?
Every 3 Year(s)
Renew through Continuing Educational Units(CEU)?
Yes
Renew through Re-Examination?
No
Renew through Continuing Professional Development(CPD)?
Yes
Does applicant have choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)?
Yes

Specialty

The certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation. For example, Oncology Nurse and Pediatric Nurse are specialties within the nursing field, so Certified Oncology Nurse and Certified Pediatric Nurse would be classified as specialty certifications.