In August 2018, the first Certification in Perinatal Mental Health became available through Postpartum Support International.
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. The certification curriculum requirements build on existing evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate trainings, adding an advanced-training component.
PSI has worked with 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 toprofessional 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 will be available beginning August 2018, and candidates will find complete instructions on a customized website page.
The PMH-C Certification is a lifetime certification, with CE requirements.
Certification Specialties
The Perinatal Mental Health Certification is available for three groups:
Mental Health / Psychotherapy
Psychopharmacology (Prescribers; including all professionals who prescribe medication including Advanced Practice Nurses)
Affiliated Professions (Nurses, Doulas, Lactation, Social Support, Occupational or Physical Therapists, Dietitians, and others)
Candidate Requirements
Practice: 2 years’ work experience in your profession, work with the Perinatal population.
Education and Credentials:
Psychotherapy: Graduate degree
Psychopharmacology: Medical Degree/Advanced Practice Nursing Degree
Affiliated Professional: Professional Credential
Perinatal Mental Health Training: Completion of evidence-based perinatal mental health certificate training:
PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY CERTIFICATE COURSE of at least 14 hours
PLUS 6-hours in-person advanced training in your specialty.
* See below for more specific information on approved trainings.
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:
Alternative trainings can be submitted for review as an approved alternative training. Write to certification@postpartum.net to request approval.
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 certification@postpartum.net.
PSYCHOTHERAPY/MENTAL HEALTH TRACK
PSI Advanced PMH certificate course will be scheduled in various locations throughout the year. Clickhere to see a list of courses currently open for registration andsign up for PSI emails to keep in touch.
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 certification@postpartum.net
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY TRACK
PSI’s in-person advanced psychopharmacology course is offered throughout the year. Write to certification@postpartum.net for schedule.
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 certification@postpartum.net
AFFILIATED PROFESSIONALS
PSI Advanced Psychotherapy certificate course will be scheduled in various locations throughout the year. Clickhere to see a list of courses currently open for registration andsign up for PSI emails to keep in touch. Affiliate professionals can take the PSI Advanced Psychotherapy to meet this qualification.
ALLbreakout sessions at PSI annual conferences fulfill the requirement (minimum 6 hrs)
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 certification@postpartum.net.
Once your application has been submitted, the approval process can take up to 2-weeks. If you do not hear back in 2-weeks, email certification@postpartum.net.
Please submit your application after all requirements have been completed.
You should expect to receive an email from PearsonVue upon approval of your application. Email will include registration instructions and your PSI ID#. If you do not receive this in 2-weeks, email certification@postpartum.net.
STEP 5: Prepare to take the exam
Study the materials from your 14-hour certificate course.
Purchase optional materials – PSI’s 2-day Training Manual is a great study tool. Purchase here ( if you did not take the PSI 2-day training)
Review the Exam Blueprint. The test blueprint contains the content areas for the exam and the distribution of test items across the content areas.