Top 10 Medical Receptionist Certifications

Medical receptionists are the first point of contact for patients and their families when they enter a medical facility. As such, having certifications can help demonstrate to potential employers that a medical receptionist is qualified and prepared to handle the responsibilities of the job. Certifications show employers that an individual has taken the time to learn and understand the required skills and knowledge necessary for success in the role. Additionally, certifications can help medical receptionists stand out from other applicants due to their specialized knowledge. As such, having certifications can be essential for medical receptionists looking to secure employment in a competitive job market.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Medical Receptionists and how these certifications can help further their career.

What are Medical Receptionist Certifications?

Medical receptionist certification is a professional designation that recognizes an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of medical reception. It is awarded by organizations such as the American Association of Medical Receptionists (AAMR). Certification requires successful completion of an approved training program, passing a written and/or practical exam, and demonstrating a level of knowledge and proficiency in medical reception duties.

Having a medical receptionist certification demonstrates to employers that the individual has been adequately trained to perform the tasks associated with medical reception and is knowledgeable about relevant legal requirements, patient privacy regulations, coding procedures, appointment scheduling, insurance processing, and other related topics. It also shows that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date on industry standards and best practices. As such, it can be beneficial for those looking to enter or advance in the healthcare field as it gives them a competitive edge over those who do not have this certification.

Pro Tip: Look into medical receptionist certification programs offered by professional organizations, such as the American Medical Association. These programs can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a successful medical receptionist.

Related: What does a Medical Receptionist do?

Top 10 Medical Receptionist Certifications

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

1. Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR)

A Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) is a professional who has been certified by an organization to provide medical reception services in a healthcare setting. They are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, collecting patient information, handling payments and insurance claims, and performing other administrative tasks.

It typically takes about six months to complete the certification process for a CMR. The requirements vary depending on the certifying organization but generally include completing an approved course or program and passing an exam.

The cost of becoming certified as a CMR depends on the certifying organization and may include fees for registration, course materials, and exam fees. It is important to research different organizations to find out which one offers the best value for money.

In addition to the cost of certification, it is important to consider how much time it will take to become certified as a CMR. Many organizations require applicants to have some experience working in a healthcare setting before they can be certified. This means that it could take several months or even years before you are eligible for certification.

2. Certified Professional Medical Receptionist (CPMR)

Certified Professional Medical Receptionist (CPMR) is a certification program that provides medical receptionists with the knowledge and skills to provide excellent customer service in a healthcare setting. The CPMR program focuses on communication, medical terminology, patient registration, insurance verification, appointment scheduling, and other administrative tasks. It also covers topics such as HIPAA compliance, coding systems, and electronic health records.

The CPMR program requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework and can be completed in an online or classroom setting. Course topics include medical terminology, patient registration, insurance verification, appointment scheduling, HIPAA compliance, coding systems, and electronic health records. Upon completion of the program requirements, students are eligible to take the CPMR exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To get certified as a Certified Professional Medical Receptionist (CPMR), individuals must first complete the required 30 hours of coursework. After completing the coursework requirements they must then pass the NHA’s CPMR exam with a score of at least 70%. Once certified as a CPMR individual will receive their certificate from the NHA which is valid for two years.

The cost for becoming certified as a Certified Professional Medical Receptionist (CPMR) varies depending on where you take your coursework. Generally speaking it can range from $400-$1000 depending on whether you choose an online or classroom based course.

3. Certified Medical Office Administrator (CMOA)

A Certified Medical Office Administrator (CMOA) is a professional certification that demonstrates expertise in the medical office administration field. It is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the management, operations, and administrative functions of a medical office.

The CMOA certification requires individuals to pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance billing and collections, human resources management, and healthcare laws and regulations. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

To become certified as a CMOA, applicants must meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least one year of full-time work experience in a medical office setting or completing an accredited medical office program. Applicants must also provide proof of their current CPR/BLS certification or completion of an approved course in basic life support prior to taking the exam.

The cost for the CMOA certification exam is $195 USD for NHA members or $245 USD for non-members. The fee includes access to study materials such as practice exams and flashcards. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CMOA certificate from NHA within 4-6 weeks.

4. Certified Patient Service Professional (CPSP)

Certified Patient Service Professional (CPSP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in providing patient services. The CPSP credential is designed to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to quality patient service, as well as their ability to deliver excellent customer service.

The Certified Patient Service Professional (CPSP) exam is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as customer service, communication, problem solving, medical terminology, and healthcare regulations.

In order to be eligible for the CPSP exam, applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent; have at least two years of work experience in a healthcare setting; and be currently employed in a patient service role. Applicants must also submit an official transcript of their high school education and proof of current employment in a healthcare setting.

The cost of the CPSP exam is $195 USD, which includes the application fee and testing fees. Additionally, applicants must pay an additional $50 USD fee if they wish to receive their results via mail or email instead of online.

5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that demonstrates a mastery of the administrative skills necessary to work in a medical office. It is designed for those who have experience in medical office administration, such as medical secretaries, receptionists, and medical records clerks.

The certification requires passing an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance processing, patient scheduling and billing. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

To become certified as a CMAA, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least one year of full-time experience in a medical office setting within the past five years or equivalent part-time experience within the past ten years. They must also pass the CMAA exam with a score of at least 70%.

The cost of taking the CMAA exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $125-$200. In addition to the cost of taking the exam, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining study materials or joining professional organizations related to healthcare administration.

6. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the implementation, management, and maintenance of electronic health records (EHRs). The CEHRS certification is designed to ensure that those working with EHRs have the necessary competencies to effectively use and maintain these systems.

To become a CEHRS, you must first complete an approved training program in EHRs. After completing the training program, you must pass the NHA's CEHRS exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient privacy and security, data integrity, and system interoperability. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CEHRS certification from the NHA. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses or retaking the exam.

The cost of becoming a CEHRS varies depending on where you take your training program and how much study materials you purchase. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 to become a CEHRS.

7. Certified Medical Coding Specialist (CMCS)

A Certified Medical Coding Specialist (CMCS) is a professional who specializes in the accurate coding of medical diagnoses and procedures for insurance reimbursement. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It requires knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and disease processes as well as coding guidelines and regulations.

It typically takes six months to one year to become certified as a CMCS. The process involves passing an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, disease processes, coding guidelines and regulations. After passing the exam, you must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain your certification.

To become certified as a CMCS, you must first join the AAPC and pay their membership fee. Then you must purchase study materials from the AAPC or other sources to prepare for the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from the AAPC.

The cost of becoming certified as a CMCS varies depending on what materials are purchased and if any discounts are available through the AAPC or other sources. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 to become certified as a CMCS.

8. Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CMBCS)

A Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CMBCS) is a professional who specializes in the coding and billing of medical services. They are responsible for ensuring that all medical records are accurately coded, billed, and submitted to insurance companies for payment. The CMBCS certification is offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

To become a certified CMBCS, you must pass an exam administered by the AAPC. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, ICD-10 coding, CPT coding, HCPCS coding, and medical billing. It typically takes around three to six months to prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your membership status with the AAPC. If you are not a member, it will cost $399 USD to take the exam. If you are a member, it will cost $299 USD to take the exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with other materials needed for studying or taking the exam itself.

Once you have passed the exam and become certified as a CMBCS, you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits every two years in order to remain certified.

9. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification for medical coders. Medical coders are responsible for assigning codes to medical procedures and services in order to accurately bill insurance companies, government programs, and other payers.

The AAPC offers two levels of certification: Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P). The CPC is the most widely recognized certification for medical coding professionals, while the CPC-P is specifically designed for those who work with payers such as insurance companies.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete the requirements necessary to become certified. In order to become certified, applicants must first pass an exam administered by the AAPC. This exam covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, coding guidelines and regulations, reimbursement systems, and more. After passing the exam, applicants must also complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education each year in order to maintain their certification.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which level of certification you are seeking. The cost of taking the CPC exam is $399 USD; the cost of taking the CPC-P exam is $499 USD; and there is an annual fee of $50 USD for maintaining your certification.

10. National Healthcareer Association Certification in Medical Office Administration (NHA-MOA).

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certification in Medical Office Administration (MOA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the field of medical office administration. This certification is designed for those who are currently working or seeking to work in a medical office setting, such as administrative assistants, medical records clerks, receptionists, and other related positions.

The NHA-MOA certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, patient scheduling and billing, electronic health records management, and customer service. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours. The cost of the exam is $119.

In order to be eligible to take the NHA-MOA exam, applicants must have at least one year of paid experience working in a medical office setting or equivalent training/education in a related field. Additionally, applicants must submit an official transcript from an accredited college or university showing completion of at least six semester hours of coursework related to medical office administration.

Once all eligibility requirements are met, applicants can register for the NHA-MOA exam online through the NHA website. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their NHA-MOA certification within 4-6 weeks after passing the exam. The certification is valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

Do You Really Need a Medical Receptionist Certificate?

The short answer is no. While having a medical receptionist certificate may help in some cases, it is not always necessary to get a job as a medical receptionist. In many cases, employers are more interested in finding someone with the right skills and qualities for the job than they are in requiring a specific certificate.

That being said, if you want to be the most competitive candidate for the job, having a medical receptionist certificate can be beneficial. Depending on the organization and its specific needs, having this type of certification can show employers that you have taken the extra step to become knowledgeable about the field of medical reception work. It can also demonstrate your commitment to professional development and your interest in learning more about how to perform tasks related to medical reception successfully.

Additionally, some organizations may require or prefer candidates who have completed an accredited medical receptionist program or earned a certificate from an accredited institution. If you’re applying for a job at one of these organizations, then it’s important that you have this certification in order to stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting hired.

In conclusion, while having a medical receptionist certificate is not always mandatory for getting hired as a medical receptionist, it can help make you more attractive to potential employers if you’re looking for work in this field.

Related: Medical Receptionist Resume Examples

FAQs About Medical Receptionist Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a medical receptionist?

Answer: To become a medical receptionist, you should have at least a high school diploma and some experience in the healthcare field. Some employers may also require certification or additional training.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a medical receptionist?

Answer: The length of time it takes to become certified as a medical receptionist depends on the specific certification program you choose. Generally, most programs can be completed within 6 to 12 months.

3. What topics are covered in the exam for medical receptionist certification?

Answer: The topics covered in the exam for medical receptionist certification vary depending on the specific program you choose, but typically include patient scheduling, insurance billing and coding, customer service skills, and basic computer skills.

4. Are there any online courses available for medical receptionist certification?

Answer: Yes, there are many online courses available for those looking to obtain their medical receptionist certification. These courses typically cover topics such as patient scheduling, insurance billing and coding, customer service skills, and basic computer skills.

5. Do I need to renew my medical receptionist certification after a certain period of time?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require renewal every two years in order to remain valid. Renewal usually involves completing continuing education credits or passing an updated version of the original exam.