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Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program
Candidate Handbook
2022
Contents Page
About Postpartum Support International 3
PMH-C Certification Purpose 3
PMH-C Certification Development 3
Certification Specialties 4
● Mental Health / Psychotherapy
● Psychopharmacology
● Affiliated
Candidate Eligibility Requirements Prior to Taking PMH-C Exam 4
● Professional Practice
● Education and Credentials
● Perinatal Mental Health Training
Steps to Certification 5
Questions 7
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PSI Nondiscrimination and Fairness Policy 8
Requesting Test Accommodations 8
PMH-C Exam Rescheduling Policy 8
PMH-C Exam Cancellation Policy 8
PMH-C Exam Details 8
Terms & Conditions 8
Day of Exam 9
Test Results 9
Confirmation of Certification 9
Retesting 9
Reconsideration of Adverse Certification Decisions 10
PMH-C Recertification 11
Resources 12
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About Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world's largest non-profit organization
dedicated to helping women and families suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders,
including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI was founded
in 1987 to increase awareness and support public and professional communities to address the
mental health risks and difficulties during pregnancy and postpartum.
In August 2018, the first Certification in Perinatal Mental Health became available through
Postpartum Support International.
PMH-C Certification Purpose
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. Professional certification indicates that candidates have
demonstrated a predetermined minimum level of knowledge, skill, and competency in a
specialized area that makes them qualified to provide specialized care. The PMH-C
certification curriculum requirements build on professional experience working with the perinatal
population, on existing evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate training and add an
advanced-training component. Upon successful completion of the certification program
requirements, including passing the PSI PMH-C exam, the candidates earn the certification in
perinatal mental health and are eligible to use the credential PMH-C. Having a true certification
program in perinatal mental health, including the PMH-C as the universal symbol for specialists,
highlights the importance of the need for specialty care in this field.
PMH-C Certification Development
PSI has worked with internationally-known certification company, Pearson VUE, to develop,
publish, and continually evaluate 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 has
been available since August 2018, and as of the end of 2020, 967 providers have earned their
PMH-C.
To learn more about our PMH-C, please visit: www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification
Certification Specialties
The Perinatal Mental Health Certification is available for three groups:
● Mental Health / Psychotherapy
● Psychopharmacology
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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 Eligibility Requirements Prior to Taking PMH-C Exam
● Professional Practice
Minimum 2 years’ work experience in your profession, working with the Perinatal
population.
● 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 evidenced-based perinatal mental health certification trainings:
● Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Certificate Course - minimum 14 hours live,
interactive online, or in-person
● PLUS 6-hours advanced training specific to the candidate's specialty.
Also needs to be a live, interactive online training, or in-person.
For more specific information on approved trainings see
https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
Steps to Certification
All information available at https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/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 2020 Mom
Other evidence-based courses by approval and can be submitted for review as
an approved alternative training. Information available at
https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
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STEP 2:
Complete One Advanced Certificate Training Specific to Your Track
Note: At this time, we are considering online Advanced training on a case-by-case basis. They
must be attended live, and have an interactive component to be considered eligible. They must
meet the additional requirements as usual. To submit a training, please
email [email protected].
Online PSI Advanced training is approved for the Step 2 requirement.
Psychotherapy/Mental Health Track
● PSI Advanced Psychotherapy certificate courses will be scheduled in various
locations throughout the year. Refer to
https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
● List of approved Alternative Trainings – Reference the Psychotherapy/Mental
Health column.
● 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, write to [email protected]
Psychopharmacology Track
● PSI’s in-person advanced psychopharmacology course is offered throughout the
year. Refer to https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
● Write to [email protected] for schedule.
● List of approved Alternative Trainings – Reference the Psychopharmacology
column.
● You can submit other advanced in-person evidence-based courses for approval
of the 6 hours advanced requirement. To request approval for an advanced
Affiliated Professionals
● PSI Advanced Psychotherapy certificate courses will be scheduled in various
locations throughout the year. Refer to
https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
● Affiliate professionals can take the PSI Advanced Psychotherapy to meet this
qualification.
● ALL breakout sessions at PSI annual conferences fulfill the requirement
(minimum 6 hrs)
● List of approved Alternative Trainings – Reference the Affiliate Column
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● 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,
write to [email protected].
STEP 3:
Apply to Take the Exam
Apply for PMH-C exam at
https://postpartum.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/postpartum/survey.jsp?surveyId=5&
Note: 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. Please download the form from the website:
https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
After you have completed the application, please email copies of your certificate of completion
to [email protected] with subject Certificate of Completion.
If you have an accommodation request, please email [email protected] 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 [email protected].
If you have just completed a PSI training, it may take extra time to receive participation
when you have received them from PSI to expedite your process.
STEP 4:
Register to Take the Exam When You Receive Approval
You will receive an email from Pearson Vue upon approval of your application. Email will include
registration instructions and your PSI ID#. If you do not receive this in 3-weeks,
email [email protected].
Exam appointments are made in advance subject to availability. The exam/appointment testing
time limit noted on Pearson VUE web pages reflects the total appointment time, including an
NDA, exam time, and survey.
Find a nearby Pearson VUE testing site at https://home.pearsonvue.com/psi
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STEP 5:
Prepare to Take the Exam
● As preparation for the PSI Certification exams, recommended study materials are
available. For more information, please
visit http://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/certification-faqs/.
● Study the materials from your 14-hour Perinatal Mood & Anxiety certificate course and
track specific 6-hour advanced certificate training course.
● Review the PMH-C exam Blueprint. The test blueprint contains the content areas for the
exam and the distribution of test items across the content areas. Exam Blueprint
available at https://www.postpartum.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/PSI-Blueprint-
2018.pdf
● Example Questions are available at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXK8XljjccqmTSVDWLBj9WNohihlcwVjtw
ATWVKJpDgRvr6Q/viewform
These are questions that are similar in style and format, but not actual exam
questions.
Questions?
Refer to the Certification FAQS for Perinatal Mental Health Certification at
https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/certification-faqs/
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. Registration
available at https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
PSI Nondiscrimination and Fairness Policy
Postpartum Support International does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion(creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital
status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities
include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and
provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment
for all members of our staff, board of directors, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
Postpartum Support International is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and
will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment,
recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading,
promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the
bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status,
sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Requesting Test Accommodations
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In reviewing testing accommodation requests of PHM-C candidates, PSI certification personnel
follow the ADA’s specified Testing Accommodation guidelines available at www.ADA.gov.
To make a testing accommodation request, the candidate must email
[email protected] prior to registering for the PMH-C exam. This allows the PSI
certification personnel to review and to coordinate requested accommodations with the testing
entity (Pearson Vue) in a timely manner in order to ensure equal opportunity for the applicant.
PMH-C Exam Rescheduling Policy
You must contact Pearson VUE or access your online Pearson VUE account to reschedule your
exam at least a minimum of 48 hours prior to your appointment. Exams cannot be rescheduled
less than 48 hours prior to your appointment. Failure to reschedule in time or failure to appear
for your appointment will result in the forfeiture of your exam fee.
PMH-C Exam Cancellation Policy
You must contact Pearson VUE or access your online Pearson VUE account to cancel your
exam at a minimum of 48 hours prior to your appointment. Exams cannot be cancelled less
than 48 hours prior to your appointment. Failure to cancel in time or failure to appear for your
appointment will result in the forfeiture of your exam fee.
PMH-C Exam Details
Postpartum Support International Certification exams are components of the PSI Certification in
Perinatal Mental Health program. The exams are computer-based assessments of knowledge,
competencies, and skills related to disciplines such as Perinatal Mental Health Risks, Protective
Factors, and Interactions and use a multiple-choice format. The exam is 125 multiple choice
questions, and you have 3 hours to complete the exam. The questions will be a mixture of
statement-based and case examples with multiple questions for each case. There are no essay
questions. The exam is pass/fail.
As preparation for the PSI Certification exams, recommended study materials are available. For
more information, please visit http://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/certification-
faqs/.
Terms & Conditions
Prior to starting the PSI Certification exam in Perinatal Mental Health, you will be asked to sign
the following non-disclosure and general terms of use agreement.
The exam is confidential and is protected by trade secret law. It is made available to you, the
examinee, solely for the purpose of becoming certified in the technical area referenced in the
title of this exam. You are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or
transmitting this exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written,
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electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior express written persimmon of
Postpartum Support International.
Day of Exam
Frequently asked questions regarding the what to expect on the day of testing at Pearson Vue
testing sites is available at https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Resources.aspx#what-to-
expect. You will be required to present one form of original (no photo copies), valid (unexpired)
government issued ID that includes your name, photograph, and signature. To view the full ID
policy, including any additional allowances to the policy, visit
http://www.pearsonvue.com/policies/1.pdf.
We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. This will give you adequate
time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for
your appointment, you may be refused admission and the exam fees will be forfeited. The
“appointment length” may include time for non-scored sections such as surveys or tutorials. The
appointment length does not necessarily reflect the total amount of time allotted for the actual
exam.
Test Results
Upon completion of the PMH-C exam, you will be notified of your test results at the Pearson
VUE testing site.
Confirmation of certification:
You will receive an email from the PSI certification team with a copy of your certificate and
additional information about the PMH-C Certification the month following successful completion
of the PMH-C exam.
Retesting
For candidates who have failed the PMH-C exam:
Once a candidate has been approved to sit for the exam, they are eligible to retake the exam as
many times as they choose. An additional fee must be paid each time the candidate registers
for the exam. However, the candidate is not required to resubmit the initial prerequisite
application materials necessary to sit for the exam.
It is the vision of PSI that every woman and family worldwide will have access to information,
social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to
childbearing. PSI promotes this vision through advocacy and collaboration, and by educating
and training the professional community and the public. The Institute for Credentialing
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Excellence states “Testing indicates what an individual already knows and where new or
remedial education should be concentrated. Feedback to test takers can direct them correct
answers and additional study resources” (n.p.). The opportunity to retake the PMH-C exam
allows the candidate to further study identified areas in need of remediation to meet the
knowledge, competencies and skills required to achieve certification in perinatal mental health.
The Use of the PMH-C Mark
PMH-C is designated by trademark as the universal symbol for specialists certified in perinatal
mental health that have successfully completed specific eligibility requirements and passed the
PHM-C exam. PSI has worked with internationally-known certification company, Pearson VUE,
to develop and publish a computer-based certification exam for the specialized field of perinatal
mental health. The PMH-C certification mark indicates a perinatal mental health specialist to PSI
coordinators, women and families seeking specialized care, other healthcare providers, and
insurance companies.
The PMH-C certification mark cannot be used by any person who did not fulfill successful
completion of all of the PMH-C certification program requirements (specifically, but not limited
to, meeting all of the candidate requirements, applying to take the exam, or successfully passing
PMH-C exam). Furthermore, certificants are ineligible for use of the PMH-C certification mark if
they fail to comply with the certification maintenance requirements (i.e. CEU completion,
submission, and/or auditing).
Check out this the the Use of the PMH-C mark policy for details:
Reconsideration of Adverse Certification Decisions
By creating and maintaining the PMH-C certification program, PSI remains committed to
ensuring that providers are given the proper up-to-date baseline knowledge, competencies, and
skills in perinatal mental health in order to provide competent care for pregnant and postpartum
mothers and families, and for those planning to become pregnant. The structure of the PMH-C
program includes specific criteria including applicant eligibility (including professional practice
requirements, education and credentials, and additional evidenced-based certificate training in
perinatal mental health - foundational and advanced), computer-based proctored testing for
candidates, and the certificants’ continuing education requirements to maintain certification.
Applicants, candidates, and certificants may request reconsideration of adverse certification
decisions by emailing [email protected]. The reconsideration request will be
reviewed by the certification program personnel (administrator and director). The certification
personnel will directly follow up with the individual seeking reconsideration in a timely manner.
Adverse certification decisions may include, but are not limited to, denial of eligibility, denial of
recertification, or disciplinary actions (including inappropriate use of PMH-C mark).
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PMH-C Recertification
The PSI PMH-C certification program is committed to ensuring the public that individuals with
the PMH-C certificate are maintaining up-to-date requirements for continued competence and
lifelong professional learning in the field of perinatal mental health. As an ever evolving and
rapidly changing healthcare specialty, the PSI PMH-C certification program requires that all
certificants renew their certification every 2 years to demonstrate continued competence relative
to the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to the field of perinatal mental health.
PSI PMH-C certification program follows the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.)
recertification standards. In order to renew the PMH-C, certificants are responsible for
completing 12 approved professional continuing education training (CEUs) specific to the field
of perinatal mental health and submitting evidence of those CEUs to the PSI recertification
document link on PSI website every 2 years from initial certification.
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNrKodkUgRMcqkceGB6XD74Ge1JHPM0uf0hRk
TagWRaZZg-A/viewform).
Approval of eligible CEUs is necessary to evaluate whether continuing education training
supports continuing competence in their learning-oriented quality, relevance of content,
effectiveness of delivery method, and noncommercial or sponsorship bias).
Approved CEUs are required to be completed and can be viewed on the PSI recertification
document link on the PSI website: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-
1vTCgWel2a26ysOQ9qMoW7QXvDaOqeUR6nmBUF7jBNdh_Yu02lCmBg2CL43z2t87Z9UL1Z
bQDoUhoXxy/pubhtml.
If the renewing certificate seeks to submit a training not on the approved list, they may submit
CEU inquiry requesting approval for use to the following link found on the PSI website:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg7x7vimx6RMXxVdm9VGPITiK6CbReddI7GIdTe
B0heK5EVQ/viewform.
CE submissions are reviewed and approved quarterly. January, April, July, October. The
renewing certificate will hear back from PSI PMH-C certification program personnel regarding
their renewal status (approval, follow-up) at the quarterly review.
Certificants who do not comply with the PSI PMH-C recertification requirements are not eligible
to use the PMH-C mark and the certification will be discontinued for noncompliance.
Certificants with questions, reporting of data errors, appeals, or requests for reconsideration for
adverse recertification decisions may contact [email protected].
For further information, refer to https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certification/
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Resources:
Institute for Credentialing Excellence. (n.d.). Common myths of continuing certification.
Retrieved from https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Resources/Common-Myths
Postpartum Support International. (2021). About us. Retrieved from
https://www.postpartum.net/about-psi/
