The invention provides a starting and shutdown control method for a 
proton exchange membrane fuel 
cell. According to the method, a whole fuel 
cell stack is divided into a plurality of 
cell modules; each cell module is connected with a modularized discharging circuit which is composed of a 
control switch, an auxiliary load and a 
crystal diode in mutual series connection; each modularized discharging circuit and a main 
load circuit are in series connection and are respectively connected with the 
cathode end and the 
anode end of the fuel cell; an air source is connected with the 
anode end of the fuel cell through an air blow-down valve; and air is used to purge residual 
hydrogen at the 
anode. During starting control, 
hydrogen is used to purge the anode, and the auxiliary load is used to control the 
voltage of the cell; and during shutdown control, introduction of air and introduction of 
hydrogen are successively stopped, a 
closed system of the auxiliary load is used for discharging, and introduction of air is cooperatively used for purging of the anode. The invention has the following advantages: consumption of time during shutdown of the fuel cell is reduced; the concentration of 
residual oxygen at the 
cathode is lowered down; reversal of poles of a single cell in the modules is prevented, and the phenomenon of reversal of poles of the fuel cell in the processes of shutdown discharging and air purging is prevented; and the 
system of the fuel cell is more simplified and is convenient to operate.