PMGT-BC Exam - Pain Management Nursing
About the PMGT-BC Exam
The Pain Management Nursing (PMGT-BC) certification exam, offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), is a professional credential for registered nurses specializing in pain management across care settings. It recognizes a nurse’s expertise in assessing, managing, and evaluating pain using evidence-based strategies while addressing the physical, emotional, and psychosocial dimensions of pain. Earning the PMGT-BC certification validates advanced clinical knowledge, sound clinical judgment, and a strong commitment to improving patient comfort, safety, and overall quality of life through effective pain management practices.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for registered nurses specializing in pain management nursing across diverse clinical settings. |
Credential Earned | Pain Management Nursing (PMGT-BC) Certification. |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license with at least 2 years of full-time practice as a registered nurse, a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in pain management nursing, and 30 hours of continuing education in pain management within the past 3 years. |
Completion Time | Approximately 3 hours. |
Subjects Covered | Fundamentals of pain, interventions, and professional practice. |
Number of Questions | 150 multiple-choice questions, including 125 scored items and 25 pretest questions. |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based examination. |
Exam Proctoring | Administered at Prometric test centers. |
Recertification Details | Required every 5 years and includes documentation of ongoing professional development. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary by year, averaging approximately 67%. |
Difficulty Level | Challenging. |
Study Material | BoardCerts PMGT-BC Exam Prep. |
BoardCerts PMGT-BC Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a targeted PMGT-BC Question Bank to support your success on the Pain Management Nursing certification exam. The question bank includes hundreds of practice questions mapped closely to the official PMGT-BC exam content outline, helping you become familiar with the types and formats of questions you will see on test day. The material is developed with expert input to reflect the core domains of the PMGT-BC exam, including pain fundamentals, clinical interventions, and professional practice considerations, so you can build confidence across all key topic areas. Comprehensive rationales for both correct and incorrect answers deepen your understanding and reinforce critical concepts, giving you a stronger foundation for focused and effective exam preparation.
Content Outline of Exam
The PMGT-BC exam tests nurses across three core areas:
- Fundamentals of Pain (44%) – Understanding pain mechanisms and types, recognizing pain syndromes, and performing comprehensive pain assessment and reassessment.
- Interventions (42%) – Developing patient-centered pain management plans, applying pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments, and ensuring medication safety.
- Professional Practice (14%) – Patient education and advocacy, ethical and regulatory practice, cultural considerations, and emergency response.
For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the PMGT-BC exam blueprint, which can be found here.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Pain Management Nursing (PMGT-BC) exam, a registered nurse must hold a current, active RN license and have completed at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in pain management nursing within the past 3 years. In addition, candidates must have earned 30 hours of continuing education in pain management nursing during the same time period.
Application Process
Online Application: Access the application portal on the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) website.
- Application Submission: Complete the online application by providing the required personal and professional information. Ensure all eligibility requirements for PMGT-BC are met before submission.
- Scheduling the Exam: Once your application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test Notice. You will then have 120 days to schedule your exam at a Prometric testing center of your choice.
- Preparation: Use the BoardCerts PMGT-BC Question Bank to prepare effectively. Our question bank aligns closely with the PMGT-BC exam content outline and mirrors the difficulty of the actual exam, providing a comprehensive resource to build confidence and readiness.
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Exam Dates and Costs
The Pain Management Nursing (PMGT-BC) exam is available year-round, allowing candidates to apply at any time without specific application windows. Once your application is approved, you will have a 120-day window to schedule and take the exam.
For the most up-to-date information on exam fees and scheduling, please refer to the ANCC official website.
Exam Format
Number of Questions: The Pain Management Nursing (PMGT-BC) certification exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 125 are scored, and 25 are unscored pretest questions used for future test development.
Exam Response Options: Each question offers four response options (A, B, C, D).
Testing Options: The exam is available at designated Prometric test centers.
Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Pass/Fail Rates
Difficulty Level: The PMGT-BC certification is considered challenging, with annual pass rates averaging around 67% in recent years.
Passing Score: The exam uses a criterion-referenced scoring system, meaning the passing score is based on predetermined standards rather than a fixed percentage. Candidates must achieve a passing score of 350 out of a maximum 500 points.
Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the ANCC Exam Statistics webpage.
Score Reporting: Candidates can review their preliminary status at the Prometric Test Center. Official results, including the score report, are typically available within 24–48 hours after completing the exam.
Exam Proctoring
The PMGT-BC certification exam is administered by the ANCC in collaboration with Prometric. Candidates can choose a Prometric Testing Center at their preferred location to take the exam.
Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, our practice questions are carefully aligned with the PMGT-BC exam content outline to ensure relevance and comprehensive coverage of the material you will encounter on the test. The question bank is developed based on the official blueprint and incorporates authoritative resources that form the foundation of the exam. This approach provides an effective and thorough preparation experience.
Topics on Exam: Familiarize yourself with the topics outlined in the PMGT-BC exam blueprint, available on the ANCC Pain Management Nursing certification page.
Review Course: Consider enrolling in a review course, such as those offered by the ANCC, to strengthen your knowledge of exam content.
Question Bank: Use a comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts PMGT-BC Question Bank, aligned with the exam blueprint and reviewed by experienced pain management nurses. Our question bank offers extensive practice, including timed predictor exams, to help you assess readiness and build confidence for exam day.
Renewal
The PMGT-BC certification is valid for five years. To maintain your certification, you must complete the following steps:
Continuing Competency Assessment: At the start of your maintenance cycle, complete the assessment to identify areas for professional growth and development.
Continuing Education (CE) Hours: Complete the required 75 continuing education contact hours in pain management or related topics.
Professional Development Activities: Complete at least one activity from the eight certification renewal professional development categories.
Maintenance Application: Submit your maintenance application online through the ANCC website before the due date. Ensure all CE activities are documented and aligned with your professional development plan.
For detailed information on the renewal process and requirements, visit the ANCC official website.
Renewal
The PMGT-BC certification is valid for five years. To maintain your certification, you must complete the following steps:
- Continuing Competency Assessment: At the start of your maintenance cycle, complete the assessment to identify areas for professional growth and development.
- Continuing Education (CE) Hours: Complete the required 75 continuing education contact hours in pain management or related topics.
- Professional Development Activities: Complete at least one activity from the eight certification renewal professional development categories.
- Maintenance Application: Submit your maintenance application online through the ANCC website before the due date. Ensure all CE activities are documented and aligned with your professional development plan.
For detailed information on the renewal process and requirements, visit the ANCC official website.
Exam Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is an essential part of PMGT-BC exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts PMGT-BC Question Bank provides high-quality, exam-focused practice questions aligned with the PMGT-BC exam blueprint, ensuring you are confident and well-prepared on test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Explore sample questions from the BoardCerts PMGT-BC Question Bank here. These questions are designed to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the PMGT-BC exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
