Top 11 Dental Office Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a dental office manager in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has achieved a certain level of knowledge and skill in their profession. Certifications provide employers with assurance that the individual has met certain requirements, such as completing continuing education courses or passing an exam. Employers will often look favorably upon candidates with certifications, as it shows that the individual is committed to their profession and is willing to go the extra mile to stay current on best practices and regulations. Additionally, certifications may also be required by state laws or employers, so having one can make a candidate more competitive in the job market.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Dental Office Managers and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Dental Office Manager Certifications?

Dental office manager certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a dental practice. This certification is offered through the Dental Office Managers Association (DOMA).

The certification process requires applicants to demonstrate their proficiency in managing a dental practice, including areas such as human resources, finances, marketing, patient relations, and regulatory compliance. To obtain the certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics related to dental office management.

Having a Dental Office Manager Certification can be beneficial for those looking to become employed or advance in the field of dental office management. By obtaining this credential, individuals demonstrate to employers and colleagues that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a dental practice. Furthermore, certified dental office managers may be eligible for higher salaries or promotions within their organizations. Additionally, having this certification can help individuals stand out from other job candidates when applying for positions in the field of dentistry.

Pro Tip: When considering a dental office manager certification, research the requirements for each program to ensure it meets your professional goals. Additionally, look for certifications that are accredited by the American Dental Association or other reputable organizations to guarantee the highest quality of education and training.

Related: What does a Dental Office Manager do?

Top 11 Dental Office Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Dental Office Managers today.

1. Certified Dental Office Manager (CDOM)

Certified Dental Office Manager (CDOM) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and proficiency in dental office management. The CDOM certification is intended to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to excellence in dental office management and to enhance their professional credentials.

The CDOM certification process involves completing an online application, taking an exam, and meeting certain educational requirements. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient relations, insurance coding, personnel management, financial management, marketing and practice development. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass.

In order to be eligible for the CDOM certification, candidates must have at least two years of experience working in a dental office or related field. They must also hold either a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, or have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education in dental office management within the past three years.

The cost for the CDOM certification program is $450 for AADOM members ($550 for non-members). This fee includes access to the online application form and exam, as well as study materials and resources. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will receive their official certificate from AADOM and become recognized as Certified Dental Office Managers (CDOMs).

2. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge and skills required to manage a medical office. The certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

It typically takes approximately six months to complete the CMOM program. To get certified, you must first pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding and billing, patient scheduling and appointment management, HIPAA compliance, and more. After passing the exam, you must also complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every two years in order to maintain your certification.

The cost for obtaining CMOM certification varies depending on whether you are an AAPC member or non-member. For members, the cost is $299 for the exam and $99 for each year of continuing education. For non-members, the cost is $399 for the exam and $199 for each year of continuing education.

3. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in healthcare quality management.

The CPHQ program consists of two components: an exam and continuing education. The exam is based on the NAHQ's Body of Knowledge, which covers topics such as patient safety, risk management, performance improvement, data analysis, and quality assurance. To obtain the CPHQ credential, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPHQ exam. During this time, candidates should review the NAHQ's Body of Knowledge and take practice exams to ensure they are prepared for the actual test. Additionally, some organizations offer online or in-person courses that can help candidates prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the CPHQ exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $400 and $600 to take the exam. This fee includes registration fees as well as any additional materials needed to prepare for the test.

Once you pass the CPHQ exam, you will be eligible to apply for continuing education credits every three years in order to maintain your certification status. These credits can be obtained through attending conferences or workshops related to healthcare quality management, taking online courses related to healthcare quality management, or completing other activities approved by NAHQ.

4. Certified Practice Administrator (CPA)

Certified Practice Administrator (CPA) is a certification offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize medical practice administrators who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the management and operations of a medical office. The CPA credential demonstrates that the individual has mastered the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a successful medical practice.

The CPA exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. In order to be eligible for the CPA exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in medical practice administration or equivalent education, such as an associate degree or higher in healthcare administration.

To get certified, applicants must submit an application form, provide proof of experience or education, pay an application fee, and pass the CPA exam. The cost for taking the exam is $399 USD. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education courses and paying a renewal fee.

5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals who are employed in medical office settings. The certification demonstrates that an individual has the necessary qualifications to perform administrative duties in a medical office.

The CMAA is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To earn the certification, you must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computer applications, billing and coding, and insurance procedures. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CMAA exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working in a medical office setting or have completed an approved training program. Additionally, applicants must submit proof of their experience or training program completion prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the CMAA exam varies depending on where you take it. The NHA charges $125 for members and $155 for non-members for each attempt at the exam. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations.

6. American Association of Dental Office Managers Certification (AADOMC)

The American Association of Dental Office Managers Certification (AADOMC) is a professional certification program that recognizes and validates the knowledge, skills, and experience of dental office managers. The AADOMC is designed to help dental office managers demonstrate their commitment to high standards in the management of dental practices.

To become certified through AADOMC, individuals must complete a series of educational requirements and have at least two years of experience as a dental office manager. The certification process typically takes between three and six months to complete.

In order to begin the certification process, individuals must first submit an application online or by mail. Once the application is approved, applicants will be required to take an online exam that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering areas such as patient relations, finance, marketing, human resources management, and practice operations. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants must submit proof of their two years’ experience as a dental office manager.

The cost for AADOMC certification is $350 for members and $450 for non-members. This fee includes access to all study materials needed for the exam as well as a one-year membership in the American Association of Dental Office Managers.

7. Certified Professional Coder for Dentists (CPCD)

Certified Professional Coder for Dentists (CPCD) is a certification designed specifically for dental coders. It is a credential that demonstrates the coder’s understanding of the coding language used in dental offices and their ability to accurately code patient records. The CPCD credential is administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

To become certified, individuals must first pass an exam that covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and dental coding. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Candidates must also have at least two years of experience in coding dental claims or have completed an approved training program prior to taking the exam.

The cost to take the CPCD exam is $399 for members of AAPC or $499 for non-members. Once the exam has been passed, there is an annual fee of $50 to maintain certification status.

Overall, it can take up to six months from start to finish to become a Certified Professional Coder for Dentists (CPCD).

8. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in medical billing and coding. The CMRS certification is awarded by the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) and is recognized by many employers as a standard of excellence for medical reimbursement specialists.

The CMRS certification process requires applicants to pass an online exam that tests their knowledge of medical billing, coding, and reimbursement processes. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours. In order to qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in medical billing or coding or have completed an approved training program.

The cost to take the CMRS exam is $350 USD for AMBA members ($400 for non-members). Once the exam has been successfully completed, applicants will receive their CMRS certification within four weeks.

9. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a certification designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and maintain electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and it is designed for healthcare professionals, such as medical coders, medical office administrators, and health information technicians.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the CEHRS program. To get certified, you must first complete an approved training program that covers topics like EHR systems, data security, privacy regulations, and workflow processes. After completing your training program, you can then take the NHA’s CEHRS exam.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the training program you choose. Most programs range from $400-$1,000. In addition to the cost of the training program, you will also need to pay a fee to take the NHA’s CEHRS exam which currently costs $179.

Overall, becoming a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise in managing EHRs and show potential employers that you are qualified for positions related to electronic health records management.

10. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPCC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a mastery of medical coding. It is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the healthcare industry and is sought after by employers and recruiters alike.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by AAPC. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, CPT/HCPCS coding, ICD-10-CM coding, and reimbursement methodologies. The exam typically takes 3 hours to complete and costs $399 for members or $499 for non-members.

In order to be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in medical coding or hold a degree from an accredited institution in health information technology. Those without experience can still qualify if they complete an approved training program from an AAPC-accredited school.

Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their certification within four weeks via mail or email. The certification is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years with continuing education credits (CEUs).

11. National Healthcareer Association’s Dental Office Management Exam (NHA-DOMEX).

The National Healthcareer Association’s Dental Office Management Exam (NHA-DOMEX) is an industry-recognized certification for dental office managers. It is designed to assess the competency of dental office managers in areas such as financial management, personnel management, patient relations, and office operations. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to take the NHA-DOMEX, you must first register with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Registration requires a valid email address and payment of the registration fee. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online exam. Once you have completed the exam, your results will be sent via email within two business days.

The cost of taking the NHA-DOMEX is $150 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and practice exams, as well as a one-time retake if needed. Successful completion of the exam earns you a certificate from NHA that is valid for three years.

Do You Really Need a Dental Office Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your specific goals and career aspirations. If you are looking to become a dental office manager, then the answer is likely yes. A certificate in dental office management can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a dental office. It will also demonstrate your commitment to the profession, as well as your dedication to continuing education.

Having a certificate in dental office management may also give you an edge when it comes to applying for jobs or advancing in your current position. Employers often look favorably upon applicants who have taken the time to commit themselves to furthering their professional development. A certificate in dental office management will show potential employers that you have taken the initiative and dedication needed to become a successful leader in the field of dentistry.

In addition, having a certificate in dental office management can help increase your understanding of the complex tasks involved in managing a dental practice. This can allow you to make better decisions regarding staff management, patient care, financial planning and more.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a certificate in dental office management is up to you and should be based on your individual career goals and objectives. However, if becoming a successful manager of a dental practice is something that interests you, then having a certificate can greatly benefit your career prospects by giving credibility and recognition from employers.

Related: Dental Office Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Dental Office Manager Certifications

1. What are the prerequisites for Dental Office Manager Certification?

Answer: Generally, there are no prerequisites for obtaining certification as a dental office manager. However, most employers prefer candidates who have experience in the field and who possess a college degree in business administration or healthcare management.

2. How long does it take to become a certified Dental Office Manager?

Answer: The time required to become a certified dental office manager varies depending on the program chosen and the individual’s prior knowledge and experience. Generally, individuals can complete the certification process within 6-9 months.

3. What topics are covered in a Dental Office Manager Certification program?

Answer: Topics typically covered in a dental office manager certification program include principles of accounting and finance, human resources management, marketing and customer service, medical terminology, insurance coding and billing practices, legal issues related to healthcare, practice management systems and software applications.

4. Are there any online Dental Office Manager Certification programs available?

Answer: Yes! There are several online programs available that offer comprehensive training for individuals interested in becoming certified dental office managers. These courses provide students with an overview of the skills needed to effectively manage a dental practice.

5. Is there an exam required to become certified as a Dental Office Manager?

Answer: Yes! Most certification programs require applicants to pass an exam in order to be awarded certification status. The exam tests knowledge of topics such as practice management systems, financial operations and legal issues related to healthcare administration.