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100+ Free PMH-BC Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PMH-BC Exam

125

Scored Questions

ANCC

3 hours

Exam Time

ANCC

46%

Implementation Domain

Largest exam section

$395

Exam Fee

Non-member price

The ANCC PMH-BC exam is a competency-based examination for registered nurses in the field of psychiatric-mental health. It consists of 125 scored questions (plus 25 unscored pretest questions) and has a 3-hour time limit. While the ANCC does not publish a specific passing score or pass rate, a scaled score of 350 out of 500 is typically required. The certification is valid for 5 years.

About the PMH-BC Exam

Board certification for registered nurses in the specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Questions

125 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

N/A (approx. 70%)

Exam Fee

$395 (ANCC)

PMH-BC Exam Content Outline

22%

Assessment and Diagnosis

Psychiatric interviews, MSE, risk assessment, and diagnostic criteria.

21%

Planning

Treatment planning, therapeutic milieu, and patient education.

46%

Implementation

Therapeutic communication, pharmacology, psychotherapy, and crisis intervention.

11%

Evaluation

Evaluating outcomes, patient progress, and legal/ethical issues.

How to Pass the PMH-BC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: N/A (approx. 70%)
  • Exam length: 125 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $395

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PMH-BC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on the 'Implementation' domain (46% of the exam), especially pharmacology and therapeutic communication.
2Know the side effects, contraindications, and nursing considerations for all major classes of psychotropic medications.
3Understand the differences between personality disorders in Cluster A, B, and C.
4Be familiar with legal and ethical principles like confidentiality, duty to warn, and the criteria for involuntary commitment.
5Use practice questions extensively to get used to the format and style of the application-based questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the PMH-BC exam?

The PMH-BC exam has 150 questions total, but only 125 are scored. The remaining 25 are unscored pretest questions used to validate future exam items.

What is the passing score for the PMH-BC exam?

The ANCC does not publish a specific percentage. A scaled score of 350 out of 500 is required to pass. The exam is not graded on a curve.

How long should I study for the PMH-BC exam?

Most candidates study for 3-6 months, depending on their level of experience. A structured study plan that includes reviewing content areas and completing hundreds of practice questions is recommended.

Is the PMH-BC exam hard?

The difficulty is subjective, but it is a challenging specialty certification exam that requires a broad knowledge of psychiatric nursing principles, pharmacology, and therapeutic modalities. The pass rate is not publicly available, but it is considered a rigorous test of competency.