PMH-BC: Format, Content Areas and Passing Score (2026)
October 10, 2026 · Damiano S. · reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer · how we write
Preparing for the PMH-BC? Take a free readiness test and see which topics to study first.
This is the short, sourced answer to the questions candidates ask most about the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC): how many questions, how long it takes, what is on it and what you need to pass. Every number below comes from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)'s own pages, linked at the end, and was checked on October 10, 2026.
PMH-BC at a glance
- Questions: 150 questions (125 scored, 25 unscored)
- Format: Multiple-choice
- Time: 3 hours
- Passing score: Scaled score of 350 (maximum 500), the ANCC passing standard
The passing score
Scaled score of 350 (maximum 500), the ANCC passing standard.
Scaled or raw, this is the official standard: plan to clear it with a margin, because exam forms differ in difficulty.
How to use this to plan your preparation
- Check your starting point by area. Take a mixed set of questions and look at your results per content area, not just the total. The real exam has 150 questions (125 scored, 25 unscored), so practise in blocks that match its pace.
- Work the weakest area first, in short sessions, and read every explanation, including the questions you got right.
- Finish with full timed practice that matches the official time (3 hours), so the length of the exam is not a surprise on test day.
Official sources
Verified on October 10, 2026 against the sources above. Exam bodies change formats and fees: if a detail matters for your registration, check the official page before you book.