Find a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A psychiatric nurse practitioner (formally, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP-BC) is an advanced practice registered nurse who:

• Holds a graduate degree in psychiatric nursing.
• Is licensed by a state board of nursing as an APRN.
• Has passed the national ANCC PMHNP-BC certification exam.

Unlike a general psychiatric nurse (an RN working on an inpatient unit, for example), a PMHNP can evaluate, diagnose, prescribe medication, and deliver psychotherapy—often serving as the sole mental-health prescriber in community clinics, primary-care offices, or virtual platforms.

Every state gives NPs prescriptive authority; 28 states and D.C. now grant full practice authority (FPA), meaning PMHNPs can practice independently without physician oversight.

• Full practice (FPA) – e.g., WA, CO, AZ, CT, NM: PMHNPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe Schedule II–V drugs under the sole authority of the board of nursing.
• Reduced practice – e.g., NY, PA, CA: A collaborative agreement with a physician is required for one or more elements of care (often prescribing).
• Restricted practice – e.g., TX, FL, CA (for controlled substances in certain settings): State law mandates physician supervision for diagnosis or medication management.

Check your state board’s website before booking; the title is the same, but the legal latitude differs.

• Federal baseline: Since 2010, all states allow NPs to prescribe Schedule II–V medications once they obtain a federal DEA registration. telehealth.hhs.gov
• Tele-prescribing: Temporary COVID flexibilities letting NPs start controlled medications via video were extended through 2025 while the DEA finalizes a special telemedicine registration. axios.com
• State overlays: A few states (e.g., Missouri) cap Schedule II refills; others (e.g., Alaska) follow federal rules without extra barriers.

If you live in a restricted state but travel to—or physically sit in—an FPA state during a telehealth visit, the NP may treat you under the FPA state’s rules. Always confirm where you must be located for each session.

Only four states (DE, ND, SD, UT) have enacted the APRN Compact so far; seven are needed for activation. When live, it will let a licensed mental health nurse practitioner hold one multistate license, simplifying regional telehealth.

Until then, your NP must have a separate license (or telehealth waiver) in your state to provide care—critical when searching for an online psychiatric nurse practitioner.

1. Comprehensive evaluation & diagnosis using DSM-5-TR criteria.
2. Medication management, from SSRIs to long-acting injectables.
3. Brief psychotherapy (e.g., CBT, motivational interviewing).
4. Ordering & interpreting labs to monitor side-effects.
5. Care coordination with therapists, primary-care providers, and social services.
6. Crisis intervention and safety-planning, including 988 referrals.
7. Digital therapeutics oversight—prescribing FDA-authorized mental-health apps.
8. Group or family sessions where scope allows.

Most PMHNPs see patients every 2–12 weeks for medication follow-up, supplementing—but not replacing—weekly talk therapy from a counselor or psychologist.

Tele-NPs now deliver more than 25 percent of outpatient psychiatric visits, according to 2024 Medicare claims data (CMS).

• Medicare Part B reimburses NPs at 85 percent of the physician fee schedule when care is billed directly under the NP’s NPI—most PMHNPs accept assignment so you pay only the Part B coinsurance.
• Medicaid covers NP services in all states; reimbursement rates vary widely (e.g., WA pays 100 percent of physician rates; AL pays ~70 percent).
• Commercial plans follow mental-health parity rules, but network directories can be incomplete; always verify the NP’s in-network status by phone.
• Cash fees range $125–$250 for an initial 60-minute evaluation and $75–$150 for 25-minute follow-ups; many NPs offer sliding scales or membership models.

If every in-network provider has a wait list >10 business days, ask the plan for a network-adequacy waiver so you can see an out-of-network psychiatric nurse practitioner at in-network rates.

Many care seekers pair a mental health nurse practitioner for medication with a counselor or psychologist for weekly therapy.

How to tell if a Psychiatrist or a Psychiatric nurse practitioner is better for me?

When a PMHNP Is Usually the Right Fit

1. Mild-to-moderate conditions: ADHD, generalized anxiety, unipolar depression, insomnia, PTSD without active psychosis.

2. Need for quick access: Average wait time is 1–3 weeks vs. 1–3 months for psychiatrists in many regions.

3. Ongoing medication follow-up: Stable on one or two meds; need dose adjustments and side-effect monitoring.

4. Integrated or primary-care settings: You prefer your prescriber to coordinate closely with primary care, therapy, or school services.

5. Budget considerations: Cash visits often run $75-$150; insurance copays tend to be lower.

Quality studies show patient outcomes with NPs and psychiatrists are “comparable for most outpatient diagnoses.

When to Consider a Psychiatrist Instead

Bottom Line: For most routine medication needs, a well-trained mental health NP offers fast, high-quality, cost-effective care. If your situation involves complex pharmacology, severe symptoms, or hospital-level interventions, a psychiatrist is the safer bet—often in collaboration with a PMHNP and therapist. Starting with either professional is far better than waiting; both can triage you to higher care if necessary. Use the checklist above, trust your gut during the intro call, and move forward knowing you can always adjust your team as your needs evolve.

• Rural FPA states (e.g., ID, NM) often have county-funded PMHNP clinics with same-week availability.
• Restricted practice states (e.g., TX, CA) may list the physician collaborator as the billing provider—don’t be surprised if the NP conducts the visit.
• Frontier telehealth rules: Alaska allows out-of-state PMHNPs to treat residents for up to 30 days per year under a courtesy license, helpful for travel nurses.
• Compact momentum: If you live near a state line (e.g., DE ↔ MD), watch APRN-Compact legislation—once enacted, cross-border NPs can follow you as you move.