Top 10 Medical Practice Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a medical practice manager in the job market because they demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field. Certifications allow employers to assess an individual’s qualifications and expertise in a particular area, which can help them make more informed hiring decisions. In addition, certifications often come with continuing education requirements that keep medical practice managers up to date on industry-specific trends, technologies, and regulations. This is essential for staying ahead of the competition in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Finally, certifications can provide potential employers with tangible evidence that an individual has the skills necessary to manage a successful medical practice.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Medical Practice Managers and explain how they can help advance a medical practice manager's career.

What are Medical Practice Manager Certifications?

Medical practice manager certification is a type of professional certification that provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a medical practice. This includes managing finances, personnel, patient care, information systems, marketing and other operational aspects of a medical practice. It also helps healthcare professionals develop leadership skills and understand the legal and ethical issues associated with running a successful medical practice.

The certification process typically requires passing an exam that tests the individual’s understanding of medical practice management principles and practices. Upon completion of the certification program, individuals are awarded a certificate indicating their expertise in this area. This can be used to demonstrate their qualifications to potential employers or clients.

In addition to providing recognition for their expertise in medical practice management, individuals who have earned this certification may also benefit from increased job opportunities and higher salaries. The certification can also provide individuals with greater credibility when negotiating contracts or seeking additional training courses or workshops related to medical practice management.

Pro Tip: When considering medical practice manager certification, research the different types of certifications available to ensure the one you choose is best suited to your specific needs. Also, look into any continuing education requirements for maintaining your certification and make sure you have a plan in place for fulfilling them if necessary.

Related: What does a Medical Practice Manager do?

Top 10 Medical Practice Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Medical Practice Managers today.

1. Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM)

Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM) is a certification offered by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). It is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of expertise in medical practice management. The CMPM certification is an important credential for any professional working in the healthcare industry, as it demonstrates that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a medical practice.

The CMPM certification requires applicants to pass an exam which covers topics such as finance, operations, human resources, marketing, and legal/regulatory issues. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Applicants must also have at least two years of experience in a medical practice management role or equivalent education.

To apply for the CMPM certification, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of their professional experience or educational qualifications. The application fee is $395 USD and must be paid before the exam date. Once approved, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the exam.

Once an applicant has passed the exam and met all other requirements, they will be awarded their CMPM certification from ACMPE. This certificate is valid for five years and can be renewed by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam every five years.

2. Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)

A Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM) is a professional certification for healthcare professionals who manage physician practices. The CPPM certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the management of physician practice operations, including financial and operational management, human resources, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

To become certified as a CPPM, applicants must have at least two years of experience managing a physician practice or equivalent experience in healthcare administration. They must also pass an exam administered by the AAPC. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as billing and coding, reimbursement, personnel management, and compliance.

The cost of the CPPM exam is $299 for AAPC members and $399 for non-members. The exam can be taken online or in person at an approved testing center. It typically takes two to three hours to complete the exam.

3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize medical office managers who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the areas of medical office management, patient relations, financial management, coding and billing, compliance, and other related topics.

The certification process typically takes about six months to complete. During this time, applicants must complete an online application form and submit it along with required documentation such as transcripts or proof of work experience. After submitting the application, applicants must then pass a written exam that covers topics such as medical office management principles, coding and billing procedures, financial management practices, patient relations strategies, and compliance regulations.

Once applicants have successfully passed the exam they will receive their CMOM certificate. The cost of obtaining the CMOM certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the exam online or in person. Online exams typically cost around $200 while in-person exams can cost up to $500. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or study materials costs.

4. Certified Healthcare Practice Manager (CHPM)

Certified Healthcare Practice Manager (CHPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to manage healthcare practices. The program is administered by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE).

To become certified as a CHPM, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and successfully complete the CHPM exam. Eligibility requirements include having at least three years of experience in healthcare practice management and/or completion of an approved healthcare practice management program.

The CHPM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that test the candidate's knowledge of healthcare practice management principles and best practices. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CHPM exam is $800 for ACMPE members and $1,000 for non-members. After passing the exam, candidates are required to pay an annual maintenance fee of $150 in order to maintain their certification status.

5. American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE)

The American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) is a professional organization that provides certification and education to medical practice administrators. It was founded in 1956 by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). ACMPE offers two levels of certification: Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) and Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives (FACMPE).

The CMPE is the entry-level certification for medical practice executives, and it requires passing an exam. The exam covers topics such as finance and accounting, human resources, operations management, legal/regulatory issues, information technology, and strategic planning. The exam can be taken at any Prometric testing center in the United States or Canada. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam and costs $425 for MGMA members or $525 for non-members.

The FACMPE is a more advanced level of certification that requires applicants to have at least five years of experience in managing a healthcare organization plus additional education credits from an accredited institution. Applicants must also pass an oral examination administered by ACMPE's Board of Directors. This process typically takes three to six months to complete and costs $1,500 for MGMA members or $2,000 for non-members.

Both certifications require renewal every three years through continuing education credits or re-examination.

6. American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification and education for medical coding professionals. It was founded in 1988 and has grown to become the largest medical coding organization in the United States. The AAPC offers a variety of certifications, including Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC), Certified Procedural Coder (CPC-P) and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC).

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the necessary coursework and pass the certification exams. To get certified, you must first join the AAPC as a member. Membership fees vary depending on your profession and experience level, but typically range from $50-$100 per year. After becoming a member, you can then register for one or more of the available certification exams. Exams cost between $300-$400 each, depending on which exam you choose to take.

Once you have registered for an exam, you will be given access to study materials such as textbooks, practice tests and online courses to help prepare for the exam. Once you feel prepared, you can schedule your exam at an authorized testing center near you. Upon successful completion of your exam(s), you will receive your certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

Overall, it takes about 6 months to get certified by the AAPC and costs around $500-$600 in total fees.

7. National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM)

The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is a professional organization dedicated to the practice of healthcare access management. NAHAM provides education and certification for healthcare access professionals, as well as networking and advocacy opportunities.

NAHAM offers two levels of certification: Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) and Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA). The CHAM certification requires at least two years of experience in healthcare access management, while the CHAA requires at least one year of experience.

To become certified, candidates must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, appointment scheduling, and customer service. Candidates must also complete a minimum number of continuing education hours each year to maintain their certification.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the exam and obtain certification. To get started, applicants should review the eligibility requirements on NAHAM's website and submit an application form with a non-refundable fee of $100. After submitting the application form, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the exam.

The cost of obtaining CHAM or CHAA certification varies depending on whether you take an online or in-person course. Online courses typically cost between $500-$1000 while in-person courses can range from $1500-$2000. Additionally, there is a $250 fee for taking the exam itself.

8. Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional in Health Care Management (SHRM-CPHCSM)

The Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional in Health Care Management (SHRM-CPHCSM) is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to lead, manage, and support health care organizations. The SHRM-CPHCSM is an internationally recognized credential that provides professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the human resources management field in the health care industry.

To become certified as a SHRM-CPHCSM, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having at least three years of professional experience in a health care organization. You must also complete an approved training program and pass the SHRM-CPHCSM exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as human resource management principles, legal issues related to health care organizations, labor relations and collective bargaining, organizational development and change management, healthcare finance, and healthcare information systems.

The cost of obtaining the SHRM-CPHCSM certification varies depending on whether you choose to take an online or in-person course. Online courses typically range from $500-$1,000 USD while in-person courses can cost up to $2,000 USD. Additionally, there is a fee for taking the exam which currently costs $200 USD.

In total it usually takes around 6 months to complete all of the requirements for becoming certified as a SHRM-CPHCSM. This includes completing an approved training program and passing the exam.

9. American Academy of Professional Coders – Certified Medical Office Manager (AAPC-CMOM)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is an advanced certification for healthcare professionals. It is designed to provide medical office managers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage a medical office. The CMOM certification requires candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in areas such as financial management, patient relations, personnel management, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The AAPC-CMOM certification process takes approximately three months to complete. Candidates must first pass a 200-question exam that covers topics such as medical coding, billing, practice management, and healthcare law. After passing the exam, candidates must then complete a series of online courses on topics related to medical office management. Finally, they must submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their mastery of the material covered in the coursework.

To obtain the AAPC-CMOM certification, candidates must pay an application fee of $299 plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam or completing the coursework. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining continuing education credits required for recertification every two years.

10. National Association for Healthcare Quality – Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (NAHQ-CPHQ).

The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in healthcare quality. The CPHQ credential is earned through a rigorous examination process and is recognized as the gold standard for healthcare quality professionals.

To become a CPHQ, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a minimum of two years of experience in healthcare quality or performance improvement, an active membership with NAHQ, and successful completion of an approved course in healthcare quality. Once these requirements are met, applicants must pass the CPHQ exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient safety, risk management, quality improvement, and data analysis.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPHQ exam. During this time, applicants should review study materials and practice exams provided by NAHQ to ensure they are adequately prepared for the test. Additionally, many employers offer courses or seminars on healthcare quality that can help candidates prepare for the exam.

The cost to take the CPHQ exam varies depending on whether you are an NAHQ member or nonmember. For members, it costs $350; for nonmembers it costs $450. Additionally, there is an annual renewal fee of $100 to maintain your certification status.

Do You Really Need a Medical Practice Manager Certificate?

The short answer is no. While having a medical practice manager certificate may provide you with a certain level of credibility in the field and can help you stand out from the competition, it is not required to be successful in the role. Many medical practice managers have achieved success without one.

However, there are several benefits to obtaining a medical practice manager certification. These include gaining an understanding of the latest industry trends, improving your knowledge and skills related to managing medical practices, and providing evidence that you have taken steps to advance your career. Additionally, a certification can demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth as well as give you an edge when applying for jobs or promotions.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a medical practice manager certificate will depend on your individual goals and circumstances. If it makes sense for you to pursue one given your current situation, then it could be a worthwhile investment of time and money. However, if it does not make sense for you at this point in time then there are still plenty of other ways for you to grow professionally in the field without one.

Related: Medical Practice Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Medical Practice Manager Certifications

1. What are the benefits of a Medical Practice Manager Certification?

Answer: A Medical Practice Manager Certification can provide a number of benefits to an individual, such as increased job opportunities, improved salary potential, and improved skills in managing medical practices.

2. What qualifications do I need to become a Medical Practice Manager?

Answer: To become a Medical Practice Manager, you will typically need at least a bachelor's degree in health care administration or management. You may also need additional certifications or licenses depending on the state where you will be practicing.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a Medical Practice Manager?

Answer: Depending on the program you choose, it could take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to complete the certification process. Many programs offer flexibility in terms of time commitment and completion requirements so that individuals can complete their certification at their own pace.

4. What is included in the Medical Practice Manager Certification exam?

Answer: The exam typically includes topics such as legal and ethical issues, financial management, technology usage in healthcare settings, and personnel management. Additionally, some exams may include questions related to specific regulations and standards for medical practice managers.

5. What type of jobs can I apply for with a Medical Practice Manager Certification?

Answer: With a Medical Practice Manager Certification you may be eligible for jobs such as practice administrator, clinical manager or director of operations for hospitals or clinics. Additionally, many employers look favorably upon applicants who have obtained advanced certifications such as this one when hiring new staff members or promoting existing ones within an organization.