Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs in California
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand across community mental health centers, integrated health systems, correctional facilities, and telehealth organizations at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. The largest concentrations of openings are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health have deep and lasting hiring needs. Child and adolescent psychiatry, substance use disorder treatment, and trauma-informed care are the specialties California employers recruit for most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 55+ Mental Health Nurse Practitioner jobs
CHE Behavioral Health Services is hiring Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to join our clinician-led, APA-approved behavioral health team.
Since 1995, CHE has been a national leader in adult and geriatric mental health, serving 100,000+ patients across 800+ facilities in 11+ states.
Why PMHNPs Choose CHE
Create your own schedule (Mon–Fri, 7 AM–7 PM)
Compensation: $100,000-$180,000 annually!
Competitive pay (fee-for-service or salaried options)
No nights, weekends, or on-call
Consistent, reliable caseload, no cancellations
Work close to home in partnered facilities
Requirements
- MSN – Psychiatric/Mental Health; ANCC PMHNP certification
- Active DEA license
- Experience in psychotropic medication management
- 2 plus years of experience is required.
- Family Nurse Practitioners with 3–5 years of psych experience will be considered
What You’ll Do
- Conduct psychiatric evaluations and follow-up visits
- Develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans
- Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications
- Collaborate with an integrated care team (psychiatrists, psychologists, LCSWs, nursing staff)
- Distinguish and diagnose psychological vs. physiological disorders
- Consult on complex or unusual clinical cases
Benefits (W2 Employees)
Medical, Dental, Vision (FT)
401(k) with 25% match on the first 6%
Paid time off & holidays (FT)
Free CEUs, training, and clinical supervision
EMR for efficient documentation
Excellent work-life balance
Apply Today
Join a stable, supportive organization that values clinicians and makes a real impact in the community.
Apply now to connect with our recruitment team and explore local opportunities.
CHE Behavioral Health Services is hiring Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to join our clinician-led, APA-approved behavioral health team.
Since 1995, CHE has been a national leader in adult and geriatric mental health, serving 100,000+ patients across 800+ facilities in 11+ states.
Why PMHNPs Choose CHE
Create your own schedule (Mon–Fri, 7 AM–7 PM)
Compensation: $100,000-$180,000 annually!
Competitive pay (fee-for-service or salaried options)
No nights, weekends, or on-call
Consistent, reliable caseload, no cancellations
Work close to home in partnered facilities
Requirements
- MSN – Psychiatric/Mental Health; ANCC PMHNP certification
- Active DEA license
- Experience in psychotropic medication management
- 2 plus years of experience is required.
- Family Nurse Practitioners with 3–5 years of psych experience will be considered
What You’ll Do
- Conduct psychiatric evaluations and follow-up visits
- Develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans
- Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications
- Collaborate with an integrated care team (psychiatrists, psychologists, LCSWs, nursing staff)
- Distinguish and diagnose psychological vs. physiological disorders
- Consult on complex or unusual clinical cases
Benefits (W2 Employees)
Medical, Dental, Vision (FT)
401(k) with 25% match on the first 6%
Paid time off & holidays (FT)
Free CEUs, training, and clinical supervision
EMR for efficient documentation
Excellent work-life balance
Apply Today
Join a stable, supportive organization that values clinicians and makes a real impact in the community.
Apply now to connect with our recruitment team and explore local opportunities.
See All 55 Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health nurse practitioner jobs across California.
- Active California Nurse Practitioner license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from ANCC or AANP
- Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice with psychiatric-mental health focus
- Prescriptive authority furnishing number required for California controlled substance prescribing
- DEA registration required for schedules involving controlled psychiatric medications
- Experience with electronic health records systems such as Epic or Cerner in clinical settings
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health nurse practitioner in California?
You become a mental health nurse practitioner in California by completing a graduate-level nursing program with a psychiatric-mental health focus, then applying to the California Board of Registered Nursing for a Nurse Practitioner license and a Furnishing Number, which authorizes you to prescribe medications. You must also pass a national certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. A DEA registration is required separately for prescribing controlled substances in clinical practice.
How much do mental health nurse practitioners make in California?
Mental health nurse practitioners in California earn a median of about $168,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $120,340 for the lowest 10% to over $240,830 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mental health nurse practitioners in California?
Employers hiring mental health nurse practitioners in California right now include Mood Health, CHE Behavioral Health Services, and Mindpath Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's public health infrastructure, including county behavioral health departments and Federally Qualified Health Centers, also generates consistent openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most mental health nurse practitioner jobs?
California, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have the most mental health nurse practitioner openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco drive volume through large integrated health systems and county behavioral health programs, while San Diego's concentration of veterans' services, military-affiliated hospitals, and UC Health facilities makes it a strong secondary market for this specialty.
Are there remote mental health nurse practitioner jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most clinical nursing roles. About 75% of mental health nurse practitioner openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the field's strong adoption of telehealth platforms since expanded licensing flexibilities took hold. Medication management follow-ups, therapy-adjacent consultation roles, and telepsychiatry positions are the segments most likely to be fully remote.
How can I get hired as a mental health nurse practitioner in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate psychiatric NP residency or fellowship, and California has several: Kaiser Permanente and UCSF Health both run structured post-graduate NP training programs that include psychiatric-mental health tracks. Community mental health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers also hire new graduates because of ongoing demand in underserved areas. Coming from a registered nurse background in inpatient psychiatry or emergency behavioral health is the lateral move California hiring managers respond to most favorably, and obtaining your California Furnishing Number before applying removes a common barrier employers cite.
Where can I find and apply to mental health nurse practitioner jobs in California?
You can find and apply to mental health nurse practitioner jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across health systems, community clinics, telehealth providers, and correctional health programs. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty focus, then apply directly to each employer from the listing.
See All 55 Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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