PMHS Certification Program Earns National Accreditation

ROCKVILLE, MD (January 20, 2022) – The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is pleased to announce that the "Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS)" certification has met the rigorous standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The PMHS program has received five-year accreditation through 2027. 
  
The PMHS credential was developed to strengthen access to expert care for children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing developmental, behavioral, or mental health (DBMH) conditions. Child mental health is at a crisis point in the United States, and the need to integrate DBMH care into primary care settings is urgent. 
  
The PMHS certification examination tests the specialty knowledge of advanced practice registered nurses who are experienced in early identification and intervention for DBMH conditions typically seen in primary care. PMHSs assess, diagnose, and manage these concerns. They also play a key role in care coordination with other professionals in medical and educational settings. 
  
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Family Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, and Child/Adolescent Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists meeting eligibility criteria may apply. Recognizing the critical importance of DBMH, especially during this time when stress triggered by the pandemic and the ongoing struggle for racial justice has sharply increased trends seen prior to 2020, PNCB is assessing alternative competency education and programs in DBMH for pediatric care professionals who do not meet current PMHS exam eligibility.
  
"PMHS certification demonstrates more than specialized knowledge. It represents clinical confidence when helping kids and families through challenging journeys, usually within familiar settings where relationships have already been established," said Scott Meskimen, MSN, CPNP, PMHS, PNCB's CPNP-PC-at-Large and PMHS-at-Large Board of Directors representative. "National accreditation provides assurance to credential holders, employers, and the public that all aspects of the PMHS program have met the highest quality standards." 
  
"National accreditation is the gold standard for healthcare-related certifications," said Michael Maymi, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, CCRN, CNE. "PMHS represents the gold standard in specialization for providers uniquely positioned to be accessible, recognize concerns, and take action now for better outcomes for child well-being."
  
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is the largest and most essential organization for the certification, continuing education, and competency development of nursing professionals who provide care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Established in 1975, PNCB certifies more than 56,000 nursing professionals who actively hold at least one of our four credentials: Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC), Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC), and Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS). Learn more about our work at www.pncb.org and www.ipedsnursing.org. 
  
Contact Information: info@pncb.org.