PMHS Exam Preparation

PMHS Preparation and Resources

The PNCB recommends a specialized list of references to help candidates prepare for the Pediatric Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) exam, emphasizing developmental milestones, behavioral health assessment, and pediatric psychopharmacology. BoardCerts bridges the gap between these foundational resources and exam day by delivering practice questions strictly aligned with the official PNCB blueprint. By studying our in-depth rationales, candidates can strengthen their diagnostic reasoning, accurately assess their test readiness, and confidently master the nuances of pediatric developmental, behavioral, and mental health care.

Key Concepts on the PMHS Exam

PMHS Exam Blueprint Focus Areas

PMHS Exam Resources

Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health: A Resource for Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Primary Care Practitioners in Nursing, EL Yearwood, GS Pearson, JA Newland (Eds).

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: A Handbook for Primary Care, MS Augustyn, BS Zuckerman.

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, RG Voigt, MM Macias, SM Meyers, CD Tapia.

Dulcan’s Textbook of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, MK Dulcan.

Mental Health Care of Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Primary Care Clinicians, JM Foy.

DSM-5-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association.

Behavioral Pediatric Healthcare for Nurse Practitioners: A Growth and Developmental Approach to Intercepting Abnormal Behaviors, D Hallas.

Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep: Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Problems, JA Mindell, JA Owens.

A Practical Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Screening, Evidence-Based Assessment, Intervention, and Health Promotion, BM Melnyk, P Lusk.

Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, AAP, JF Hagan, JS Shaw, PM Duncan.

BURNS’ Pediatric Primary Care, DL Garzon, NB Starr, MA Brady, NM Gaylord, M Driessnack, KG Duderstadt.

Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs for Children and Adolescents, D Elbe, TR Black, IR Mcgrane, S Choi.

Pediatric Psychopharmacology for Primary Care, MA Riddle, JV Campo, et al.

The Prescriber’s Guide – Children and Adolescents: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology, SM Stahl, JR Strawn.

Mental Health Initiatives, Primary Care Tools, American Academy of Pediatrics.

The REsource for Advancing Children's Health (REACH): Resources for families and professionals.

National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

First Signs.

Autism Speaks.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).

Child Mind Institute.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

International Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN).

Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Society of Pediatric Nurses.

ADHD: Caring for Children with ADHD: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians (Spanish/English).

Autism: Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians.

Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents, RA Barkley.

The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children, RW Greene.

Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder, EM Hallowell, JJ Ratey.

Mental Health Naturally: The Family Guide to Holistic Care for a Healthy Mind and Body, KJ Kemper.

1-2-3 Magic: 3-Step Discipline for Calm, Effective, and Happy Parenting, T Phelan.

ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know, MI Reiff.

Autism Spectrum Disorder, A Rosenblatt.

Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, DJ Siegel.

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture your Child’s Developing Mind, DJ Siegel.

PMHS BoardCerts Question Bank

The BoardCerts PMHS question bank is meticulously designed to align with the official exam blueprint, ensuring you focus on the most relevant material for success.