Certification in Perinatal Mental Health

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:

Applicant Requirements

Education and Credentials

• Psychotherapy: Graduate degree
• Psychopharmacology: Medical Degree/Advanced Practice Nursing Degree
• Affiliated Professional: Professional Credential and/or Specialized Training

Practice

Two years of work experience in your profession (post-graduation for those tracks that require degrees), with experience working with the Perinatal population.

The experience does not have to be entirely in the same setting, nor solely with the perinatal population.

Perinatal Mental Health Training

Completion of 20 hours total of evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate training:

• Foundational: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Certificate Course of at least 14 hours
• Advanced: Advanced training of at least 6 hours specific to your PMH-C Certification Specialty Track

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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:

• PSI 2-day Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care Course.
• Maternal Mental Health Webinar Certificate Course by PSI and the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (“Policy Center”).
• Alternate evidence-based courses that PSI has approved as meeting the Step 1 requirement. View list.

STEP 2:

Complete One* Advanced Certificate Training Specific to Your Track (6 hours)

The advanced certificate course must be a minimum of 6 hours and include advanced topics specific to your track that go beyond the PMH-C blueprint. The course must be attended live (virtual or in-person) and include an interactive component.

• All PSI virtual and in-person Advanced Certificate trainings are approved for the Advanced/Step 2 requirement. See the course registration pages for track details.
• Alternate advanced training may be submitted with the PMH-C application to meet the Advanced/Step 2 training requirement.  For details on how to submit an advanced training course, use this form HERE.

*The purchase of PSI‑developed coursework or materials is optional and not required for certification eligibility or examination success. See the list of courses available to meet the Step 1/Foundational course requirement and the details for submitting courses to meet the Step 2/Advanced course requirement.

Psychotherapy/Mental Health Track

PSI Advanced Psychotherapy certificate courses are available virtually and in person throughout the year. Learn More

Psychopharmacology Track

PSI’s Advanced Psychopharmacology courses are available virtually and in person throughout the year. Learn More

Affiliated Professionals

Applicants to the Affiliated Professional track may take the PSI Advanced Psychotherapy course or the PSI Advanced Psychopharmacology course. In addition, CEs from sessions attended live at the PSI annual conference that total a minimum of 6 hours may be submitted as meeting the Advanced course requirement for the Affiliated Professional track.

STEP 3A:

Employment verification and training documentation

After completing the required training and receiving confirmation of participation, please upload the completed employment verification form and training documentation.

STEP 3B:

Apply to Take the Exam

Submit your application after completing all requirements and submitting the required documentation 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#.  

STEP 5:

Prepare to Take the Exam

• Study the materials from your 14-hour certificate course.
• Optional materials are available for further study, including the PSI 2-day Training Manual. 
• 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 PMH-C Blueprint.
• For more information, contact [email protected]

 Come to one (or more) of our First Friday FAQ sessions:

Step 6A:

Once you have passed the PMH-C Exam:

• You can officially use the PMH-C mark and add PMH-C after your name! See the Candidate Handbook for details on the use of the PMH-C Mark.
• You will receive an email from Accredible within 1-2 business days with a copy of your certificate and additional information about the PMH-C Certification.
• Embed your PMH-C badge in your email signature and webpage for marketing purposes.
• Sign up on the PSI Online Provider Directory, or update your profile.
• Order a professionally printed copy of your PMH-C certificate. Display this certificate in areas where you provide services to indicate your PMH-C status.

Step 6B:

If you did not pass

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.