Top 11 Admitting Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for an admitting clerk in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and competence. A certification can show employers that the applicant has the necessary skills and qualifications to do the job, as well as a commitment to continuing education and professional development. Certifications can also help applicants stand out from other candidates, making them more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, certifications may open up opportunities for advancement or specialization within the field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Admitting Clerks and explains how they can help to advance an admitting clerk's career.

What are Admitting Clerk Certifications?

Admitting clerk certification is a form of professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of patient admissions. This certification helps to ensure that individuals who work as admitting clerks have the necessary competencies to effectively manage the process of admitting patients into hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. Admitting clerks are responsible for registering patients, processing insurance information, obtaining patient signatures on consent forms, scheduling appointments and other related tasks. By obtaining this certification, individuals demonstrate their commitment to professionalism and their ability to provide quality service when accepting new patients. The certification also helps employers identify qualified candidates who can effectively handle the responsibilities associated with this important position.

Pro Tip: Before seeking out admitting clerk certification, make sure to research the requirements and associated costs so that you are prepared for the process. Additionally, it may be beneficial to look into potential employers in your area who require or prefer certified admitting clerks.

Related: What does an Admitting Clerk do?

Top 11 Admitting Clerk Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Admitting Clerks today.

1. Certified Medical Office Admitting Clerk (CMOC)

A Certified Medical Office Admitting Clerk (CMOC) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in the medical office admitting process. This certification is designed to help medical offices ensure that their admitting processes are efficient and effective.

The CMOC certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, coding and billing, data entry, and customer service. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CMOC exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working in a medical office setting or have completed a formal training program related to medical office procedures. Applicants must also submit proof of current employment or enrollment in a healthcare program.

The cost of taking the CMOC exam varies depending on where you take it. The NHA charges $125 for the exam fee plus any applicable taxes and fees. Additionally, some testing centers may charge an additional fee for administering the exam.

2. Certified Patient Access Associate (CPAA)

Certified Patient Access Associate (CPAA) is a certification that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the patient access functions and processes. This certification is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of patient access services.

The CPAA certification requires successful completion of an exam which covers topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, scheduling, customer service, and compliance. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

In order to obtain the CPAA certification, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least one year of experience in a healthcare setting or completing an approved NAHAM training program. Additionally, applicants must submit an application form with required documentation and pay an application fee.

The cost for obtaining the CPAA certification is $295 for NAHAM members and $395 for non-members.

3. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the management of healthcare access services. The CHAM credential is designed to recognize those individuals who possess the skills and competencies necessary to manage healthcare access services effectively, efficiently, and ethically. This includes managing patient flow, scheduling, registration, insurance verification, financial counseling and more.

It usually takes around 3-6 months to complete the requirements for CHAM certification. To become certified as a CHAM, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least two years of full-time experience in healthcare access management or related field;
• Complete an approved CHAM training program;
• Pass a comprehensive written examination;
• Maintain a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every two years; and
• Agree to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct for Certified Healthcare Access Managers.

The cost for obtaining CHAM certification varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD for the exam fee alone. Other associated fees may include application fees and training course fees which can range from $100-$2,000 USD depending on the provider.

4. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

A Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a professional certification that demonstrates expertise in the financial management of healthcare organizations. The certification is offered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM). It is designed to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of the revenue cycle process, including billing, coding, collections, and compliance.

The CRCR certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in a revenue cycle role and pass an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. To maintain the certification, individuals must complete continuing education requirements every two years.

The cost to take the CRCR exam varies depending on whether you are already an AAHAM member or not. For non-members, the fee is $450; for members, it is $350. Additionally, there are fees associated with renewing your certification every two years ($100 for non-members; $50 for members).

5. Certified Professional Coder-Inpatient (CPC-I)

Certified Professional Coder-Inpatient (CPC-I) is a certification issued by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and proficiency in coding inpatient services. This certification is specifically for those who code inpatient services such as hospital stays, surgeries, and other treatments provided while a patient is admitted to the hospital.

The CPC-I exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions that must be completed within five hours. The exam covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, HCPCS Level II coding guidelines, CPT coding guidelines, and reimbursement methodologies.

To become certified as a CPC-I you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by the AAPC. These include having at least two years of experience coding inpatient services within the past five years or completing an approved training program which includes at least 160 hours of classroom instruction on medical coding topics.

The cost to take the CPC-I exam varies depending on your membership status with the AAPC. For nonmembers, it costs $399; for members it costs $299; and for student members it costs $199. Additionally, there are fees associated with applying for certification ($50) and maintaining your certification ($50/year).

6. Certified Professional Coder-Outpatient (CPC-O)

Certified Professional Coder-Outpatient (CPC-O) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). This certification is designed for coders who specialize in coding for outpatient services, such as emergency room visits, physician office visits, and other ambulatory services. It is important to note that this certification does not cover inpatient coding.

To become certified as a CPC-O, one must pass an exam administered by AAPC. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. It covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, ICD-10 coding, CPT coding, HCPCS Level II coding, modifiers, and reimbursement methodologies.

In order to take the CPC-O exam, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in outpatient coding within the last five years or complete an accredited training program. Applicants must also be members of AAPC. The cost for membership varies based on your location and type of membership chosen; however it typically ranges from $50-$200 per year.

The cost of the CPC-O exam is $399 for nonmembers and $299 for members. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official certificate from AAPC which is valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

7. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a credential awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in the use of electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is designed to recognize healthcare professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and proficiency in the use of EHRs.

To earn the CEHRS credential, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient data management, regulatory compliance, clinical information systems, and technical support. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CEHRS certification, applicants must have at least one year of experience using EHRs in a healthcare setting or possess an associate degree in health information technology. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate their knowledge of HIPAA regulations and other relevant laws related to EHRs.

The cost for taking the CEHRS exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $200-$400. Once you have passed the exam, there is an annual fee of $50 for recertification.

8. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification program designed to prepare individuals for a career in medical office administration. The CMAA credential is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of a medical administrative assistant.

The CMAA certification program consists of two components: an online course and a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as medical terminology, patient records management, appointment scheduling, insurance billing and coding, customer service, and more. The proctored exam tests an individual’s knowledge of these topics as well as their ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

It typically takes between 4-6 months to complete the CMAA program depending on how quickly you are able to complete the online coursework and study for the exam.

To get certified as a CMAA, you must first register with NHA and pay the registration fee of $125 USD. You will then be given access to the online course materials which you can complete at your own pace. Once you have completed all of the coursework, you can schedule your proctored exam with NHA. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CMAA certification from NHA.

The cost of getting certified as a CMAA is $125 USD for registration plus any additional costs associated with taking the proctored exam such as travel expenses or fees charged by testing centers.

9. Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP)

Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) is a professional certification program offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). The CHFP designation recognizes individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of healthcare financial management principles and practices.

The CHFP certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and an in-person exam. The online assessment is designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge of healthcare finance topics, such as budgeting, reimbursement, accounting, and analytics. After successfully completing the online assessment, candidates must pass a three-hour in-person examination that covers the same topics.

To be eligible for the CHFP certification program, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a healthcare finance role or have completed an approved HFMA education program. Candidates must also submit an application form and pay a fee of $395 to register for the exam.

The entire CHFP certification process typically takes between four to six months from start to finish.

10. Certified Ambulatory Care Coding Specialist (CACCS)

A Certified Ambulatory Care Coding Specialist (CACCS) is a professional who specializes in coding for ambulatory care services. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of those who specialize in coding for ambulatory care services.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the requirements necessary to become a CACCS. The requirements include passing an exam, completing continuing education credits, and having at least two years of experience in ambulatory care coding.

To get certified as a CACCS, you must first become a member of the AAPC. You can then apply for the CACCS certification exam online or through mail. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate, which is valid for three years. After that, you will need to renew your certification every three years by taking continuing education classes and passing an updated version of the exam.

The cost to become a CACCS varies depending on whether or not you are already an AAPC member and if you choose to take any preparatory courses prior to taking the exam. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $200-$400 for non-members and $100-$200 for members.

11. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional who specializes in the management of patient health information and medical records. RHITs are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of patient health information. They are also responsible for coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and data analysis.

To become an RHIT, you must complete an accredited associate degree program in health information technology or a related field. These programs typically take two years to complete, although some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as one year. Upon completion of the program, students must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The cost of becoming an RHIT varies depending on the school and program chosen. Tuition costs can range from $4,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the institution. Additionally, there is a fee to take the certification exam which is currently $199 for AHIMA members or $299 for non-members.

Do You Really Need a Admitting Clerk Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. An Admitting Clerk Certificate is not necessary for all positions in the healthcare field, but it can provide additional training and credentials that may be beneficial in certain roles. It is important to research the job requirements of any position you are considering before deciding whether or not an Admitting Clerk Certificate is necessary.

For those interested in working as an admitting clerk, a certificate may be beneficial as it provides specialized training and knowledge about the role. It can also demonstrate to employers that you have taken the time to gain additional qualifications in order to become an effective admitting clerk. Having an Admitting Clerk Certificate may also give you an advantage over other applicants who do not possess such credentials when applying for jobs.

In addition, having a certificate can help you stand out from other applicants who are competing for similar positions within a healthcare facility. A certificate shows potential employers that you have taken the initiative to acquire specialized skills that are required for the job, which could be seen as a sign of dedication and ambition.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Admitting Clerk Certificate will depend on your own personal career goals and objectives. If you believe that having such a credential would be beneficial for your career aspirations, then obtaining one could be well worth your effort and investment.

Related: Admitting Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Admitting Clerk Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become an Admitting Clerk?

Answer: To become an Admitting Clerk, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and experience in customer service and office work. Additionally, some employers may require certification in medical coding or billing.

2. How long does it take to earn an Admitting Clerk Certification?

Answer: It typically takes around one year to complete the required coursework and training for an Admitting Clerk Certification.

3. What type of job opportunities are available once I have my Admitting Clerk Certification?

Answer: With an Admitting Clerk Certification, you can pursue various roles within the healthcare industry such as hospital admitting clerk, insurance verification specialist, patient services coordinator, or medical records technician.

4. Is there any financial aid available for getting my Admitting Clerk Certification?

Answer: Yes, there are several options for financial aid when pursuing your certification. These include scholarships through professional associations, grants from government agencies, student loans from banks and other lenders, and employer tuition assistance programs.

5. Do I need to renew my Admitting Clerk Certification after a certain period of time?

Answer: Yes, most certifications will require renewal every two to three years in order to maintain active status. This usually involves taking additional courses or passing exams in order to stay up-to-date on industry changes and best practices.