Credentialing — New Applicants

Welcome to the credentialing application page for Mental Health Nurses. This page provides all the resources, templates, and guidance you need to complete your application smoothly.

ⓘ Has your credential expired?
If your ACMHN credential has expired, apply for re-credentialing regardless of how much time has passed. Your original qualifications are already recognised.
ⓘ Starting a new role?
If your employment requires credentialing, please apply at least 8 weeks before your start date. We can provide verification letters to employers. Email [email protected] to request one.

Before You Begin

Guidelines

Refer to the C4N Professional Credentialing Application Guidelines to familiarise yourself with the structure of the application and the types of information you'll need to provide.

⬇ C4N Guidelines

Refer to the C4N ACMHN Appendix to Application Guidelines for registration, qualification, and employment requirements.

⬇ ACMHN Appendix
Prepare Your Documentation

Use the C4N Documentation Checklist New Applicant to ensure you have all required documents before you begin.

⬇ Checklist

Application Requirements

1

Professional Registration

Must hold current registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) General with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Ahpra).

🔗 Visit Ahpra
2

Qualifications

Must hold a specialist or postgraduate qualification in mental health nursing or psychiatric nursing.

Refer to the C4N Specialist Nurse Credentialing Program Qualification Framework

⬇ C4N Framework

Refer to the Mental Health Nursing Addendum

⬇ ACMHN Addendum
Three pathways are available to meet this criterion
Submission tip:
Ensure all documents are certified and scanned as indicated on page 6 of the C4N Professional Credentialing Application Guidelines.
3

Employment

Employer Verification

Must provide evidence of recent practice in mental health nursing:

  • Minimum 12 months FTE (1,728 hours) post-qualification employment in mental health nursing, or
  • Minimum 3 years FTE (5,184 hours) if qualifications were completed within the last 12 months.

Recency of practice must be demonstrated over the past 3 years:

  • 12 weeks FTE in the last 12 months, or
  • Equivalent experience over the last 2 or 3 years.
  • Include a current CV with your application.
⬇ Employer Statement Template

Self-Employed: Provide a Statutory Declaration of your work experience over the previous three years, with dates confirming your length of experience in mental health nursing.

  • Refer to page 7 of the C4N Guidelines for what information to include.
  • Use the format found at the Australian Government website.
🔗 Statutory Declaration
References must be uploaded with your application
4

Continuing Professional Development

CPD Record

Must complete at least 40 hours of CPD in the previous 12 months, split as:

  • 20 hours of Professional Education
  • 20 hours of Practice Development

Use the C4N Evidence Based Record Template to document CPD. The EBR must be uploaded with your application.

⬇ ACMHN EBR Template

Alternative: Use the web version of the C4N EBR App instead of the Word template.

🔗 C4N Web App
CPD Guidelines

Refer to the ACMHN Evidence Based Record Guide for examples and instructions on how to complete your EBR correctly.

⬇ ACMHN EBR Guidelines
Submission tips:
Do not submit evidence documents initially — just list them in your EBR.
Use the C4N EBR App or the Word template — not both.
5

Referee Reports

Confirmation of your practice as a Mental Health Nurse

Must submit two referee reports from professionals familiar with your practice, using the ACMHN Referee Template. Reports must be on organisational letterhead and uploaded with your application.

⬇ ACMHN Referee Template
Submission tip:
Ensure references are on organisational letterhead and follow the template closely.
6

Submitting Your Application

All credentialing applications must be submitted online via the Credentialing for Nurses (C4N) portal.

First-Time Users: If this is your first time using the C4N portal, you'll need to create a C4N user account. This applies to both ACMHN members and non-members.

Your C4N login is separate from your ACMHN membership login.
Start Your Application

We recommend bookmarking the C4N sign-in page so you can return at any time.

Application Timeline
1

Application Submitted

You'll receive an immediate confirmation email

2

Initial Review

ACMHN staff review your application for completeness

3

Peer Assessment

A Credentialed Mental Health Nurse reviews your application

✓

Decision & Notification

You'll receive your outcome via email

Applications may take up to 8 weeks to process depending on reviewer availability and completeness of your application.
Use the CMHN Logo

Once credentialed, you may incorporate the CMHN logo into your email signature or business card. Contact the College to request the rules and guidelines document along with the agreement form.

Fees for New Applicants

A non-refundable application processing payment is required at the time of submitting your application. All fees are in AUD inclusive of GST and are subject to periodic review.

ACMHN Member

$225

Members must present proof of current membership — a copy of the receipt or an official confirmation letter from the College.

Non-Member

$555

This fee covers the application only and does not include membership. Become a member first to receive the discounted credentialing fee.

Become a Member Save $330

Need Help?

For assistance, contact the Credentialing Officer: