Top 10 Medical Writer Certifications

Certifications for medical writers are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that is necessary to be successful in this field. Certification programs provide evidence of an individual’s commitment to professional development and mastery of the subject matter. They also signify that a medical writer has the necessary skills and experience to effectively communicate complex medical information to both lay audiences as well as healthcare professionals. Certifications demonstrate a level of competency that employers value when hiring, so having one can increase an individual’s chances of getting hired.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Medical Writers and explain how they can contribute to a medical writer's career by providing additional expertise, credibility, and recognition.

What are Medical Writer Certifications?

Medical Writer Certification is an accreditation program offered by the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in medical writing. The certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and techniques of medical writing through a comprehensive exam.

Medical Writer Certification can be beneficial for those pursuing a career in medical writing. It can provide recognition that you have the necessary skills to work as a professional medical writer, which may make you more competitive in the job market. Additionally, it can demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and quality work. Finally, it could potentially open up more opportunities for advancement within the field.

Pro Tip: Before committing to medical writer certification, make sure you understand the requirements and expectations. Research the various certifications available to ensure they meet your needs and understand what will be expected of you in order to pass the certification exam. Additionally, consider taking advantage of any additional training or mentorship opportunities that may be available in order to best prepare yourself for success.

Related: What does a Medical Writer do?

Top 10 Medical Writer Certifications

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

1. Certified Medical Writer (CMW)

A Certified Medical Writer (CMW) is a professional who has achieved the highest level of certification for medical writing, which is offered by the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA). This certification is designed to recognize excellence in medical writing and to promote high standards of ethical and professional practice.

The CMW credential requires that an individual demonstrate knowledge, skills, and experience in medical writing. To qualify for the CMW credential, an individual must meet certain educational requirements and have at least three years of full-time work experience as a professional medical writer. The applicant must also pass a comprehensive examination that covers topics such as ethics, research methods, regulatory writing, manuscript preparation, publication planning, and more.

It typically takes six months or longer to complete the application process for the CMW credential. First, applicants must submit their application materials to AMWA for review. Once approved by AMWA staff, applicants can then proceed with registering for the exam. After passing the exam with a score of 70 percent or higher, applicants will receive their CMW certificate from AMWA.

The cost of obtaining the CMW credential varies depending on whether you are an AMWA member or non-member. For members, the fee is $495 USD; for non-members it is $695 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and resources as well as registration for the exam itself.

2. American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Certified Professional Medical Writer (CPMW)

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Certified Professional Medical Writer (CPMW) is a professional certification program that recognizes medical writers who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field. The CPMW is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in writing for medical and scientific audiences.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the requirements for the CPMW. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having at least three years of professional experience in medical writing and completing at least 24 hours of continuing education related to medical writing within the last three years. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their work experience and pass an exam consisting of multiple-choice questions about medical writing topics.

The cost for the CPMW program varies depending on whether you are an AMWA member or not. For non-members, it costs $495 for the application fee plus $150 for each exam attempt. For members, it costs $395 for the application fee plus $100 for each exam attempt.

Overall, obtaining the CPMW certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career as a medical writer by demonstrating their expertise and commitment to excellence in this field.

3. European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) Professional Member Certification

The European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) Professional Member Certification is a certification program designed to recognize the skills and expertise of medical writers in Europe. It is an internationally recognized standard of excellence for medical writing professionals, and provides employers with assurance that certified members have the necessary knowledge and experience to perform their job effectively.

To become an EMWA Professional Member, applicants must meet certain criteria including: at least three years of relevant experience in medical writing; a minimum of one year of professional experience in Europe; completion of an accredited training course in medical writing or equivalent; and a commitment to abide by the EMWA Code of Conduct.

The process typically takes four to six weeks from the time all application materials are received until certification is granted. Applicants must submit an online application form, provide evidence of their qualifications, and pay the applicable fee.

The cost for EMWA Professional Member Certification is €150 for members and €200 for non-members. This fee covers the cost of processing applications, conducting background checks, and issuing certificates.

4. International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP)

The International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of medical publication. The CMPP program is intended to provide a standard of excellence in medical publication and to ensure that those involved in the process adhere to ethical and legal standards.

To become certified, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements, including having at least two years of experience working in medical publication. Applicants must then pass an exam that covers topics such as ethics, copyright law, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript preparation, journal selection and submission processes.

The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. It is administered online through ISMPP’s secure testing system. The cost of the exam is $795 USD for members and $995 USD for non-members.

Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will be awarded the CMPP designation and receive a certificate from ISMPP that can be used as proof of their qualifications. The certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued and must be renewed every three years by taking an updated version of the exam or completing continuing education activities approved by ISMPP.

5. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Certified Regulatory Affairs and Communications Professional (CRACP)

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Certified Regulatory Affairs and Communications Professional (CRACP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the areas of regulatory affairs, communications, and public policy. This certification is intended for professionals who work in the pharmaceutical industry or related fields.

To become a CRACP, applicants must have at least five years of experience in regulatory affairs and/or communications, as well as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Applicants must also pass an examination administered by PhRMA. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as compliance with FDA regulations, product labeling, advertising and promotion, post-marketing surveillance, risk management, and other relevant topics.

The cost for taking the CRACP exam is $495 for members of PhRMA or $595 for non-members. The exam can be taken either online or at a testing center. It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam. Once applicants pass the exam they will receive their CRACP certification from PhRMA.

The CRACP certification is valid for five years before it must be renewed by taking an updated version of the exam or by completing continuing education courses provided by PhRMA.

6. Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS)

The Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) is a credential offered by the ACDIS to recognize healthcare professionals who demonstrate mastery of clinical documentation improvement principles and processes. The CCDS credential is designed for individuals who have experience in the field of clinical documentation improvement, including physicians, nurses, health information management professionals, and coding specialists.

To become certified as a CCDS, an individual must pass an exam administered by the ACDIS. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as clinical documentation improvement principles and processes, coding guidelines, quality measures and compliance requirements. The exam must be completed within three hours.

In order to take the CCDS exam, an individual must first apply for eligibility through the ACDIS website. Eligibility criteria includes being a current member of ACDIS or another professional organization related to clinical documentation improvement; having at least two years of full-time experience in clinical documentation improvement; and completing at least 40 hours of continuing education related to CDI within the past two years.

The cost to take the CCDS exam is $400 for members of ACDIS and $500 for non-members. Once an individual passes the exam they will receive their official certification from ACDIS which is valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

7. National Institutes of Health Office of Extramural Research Writing Certificate Program

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research Writing Certificate Program is an online program designed to help individuals improve their scientific writing skills. The program consists of five modules, each focusing on a different aspect of scientific writing. Participants can complete the modules at their own pace, and the program takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete.

To get started with the NIH Office of Extramural Research Writing Certificate Program, participants must first register for an NIH account. After registering, participants will be able to access the course materials and begin completing the modules. Each module consists of a series of lectures and activities that focus on topics such as research design, grant proposal development, and manuscript preparation. After completing all five modules, participants will receive a certificate from the NIH Office of Extramural Research acknowledging their completion of the program.

The NIH Office of Extramural Research Writing Certificate Program is free for all participants.

8. International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Certified Technical Writer

The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Certified Technical Writer is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise of technical writers in the pharmaceutical industry. This certification is designed to ensure that technical writers have the necessary knowledge and skills to produce accurate, reliable, and compliant documentation for drug development projects.

To become an ISPE Certified Technical Writer, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The eligibility requirements include having at least five years of experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical writing, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and a portfolio of published work.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as regulatory compliance, document formatting, editing techniques, grammar rules, and more. The exam takes about three hours to complete.

The cost of the ISPE Certified Technical Writer certification is $395 USD for members of ISPE and $495 USD for non-members.

Once applicants have passed the exam they will receive their official certificate from ISPE along with a digital badge that can be used on resumes and other professional documents.

9. American Society for Quality’s Certified Quality Improvement Associate

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in quality improvement principles, tools, and techniques. The CQIA certification validates an individual’s ability to identify opportunities for improvement, define problems, analyze data, develop solutions, and implement changes.

It takes approximately 8-12 weeks to complete the CQIA exam preparation process. In order to be eligible to take the exam, applicants must meet certain criteria including having at least three years of work experience in a quality-related field or completing a minimum of 30 hours of formal education in quality topics.

In order to get the CQIA certification, applicants must pass the CQIA exam which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality planning and control systems, process improvement methods and tools, customer satisfaction measurement techniques, and organizational change management. The exam can be taken online or at an ASQ testing center.

The cost of obtaining the CQIA certification is $399 USD for ASQ members or $499 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials such as practice exams and reference books.

10. Institute for Scientific Information’s Science Writing Certification

The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Science Writing Certification is a professional certification program designed to help science writers hone their skills and gain recognition in the field. The certification is open to anyone who has at least two years of experience in science writing and can demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the craft.

The certification process takes approximately six months to complete and consists of three parts: an online application, an exam, and a portfolio review. During the online application, applicants must provide evidence of their writing experience and submit a writing sample for review. Once accepted into the program, applicants must then take the ISI Science Writing Exam, which tests their knowledge of scientific principles, research methods, communication strategies, and other topics related to science writing. After passing the exam, applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by ISI’s panel of experts.

The cost of the ISI Science Writing Certification varies depending on whether you are applying as an individual or as part of an organization. For individuals, the cost is $1,500 USD; for organizations it is $2,500 USD.

Do You Really Need a Medical Writer Certificate?

Whether you need a medical writer certificate depends on a few factors. If you are looking to break into the medical writing field, then having a certificate may be beneficial. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to do the job. It also shows that you have taken the initiative to learn more about this specialized field.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in medical writing and/or healthcare, then a certificate may not be necessary. Employers will likely take your experience as evidence of your qualifications. However, if you are looking to become an expert in the field or move up in your current organization, then obtaining a certificate may be beneficial.

In addition to helping you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, having a medical writer certificate can open up opportunities for professional development and networking with other writers in the field. It can also give you access to resources and materials that can help improve your skillset.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a medical writer certificate depends on your individual career goals and aspirations. If obtaining one could benefit your career path, then it may be worth pursuing one.

Related: Medical Writer Resume Examples

FAQs About Medical Writer Certifications

Q1. What is a Medical Writer Certification?

A1. A Medical Writer Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate complex medical information in a clear and concise manner. It involves understanding medical terminology, regulatory guidelines, and writing for different audiences.

Q2. Who should pursue Medical Writer Certifications?

A2. Medical Writers are professionals who can help healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other life science businesses create accurate and comprehensive medical documents such as patient brochures, clinical study reports, product labels, and more. Professionals who have a background in life sciences or medicine may find this certification beneficial as it helps them gain knowledge on how to communicate medical information effectively.

Q3. What are the benefits of obtaining a Medical Writer Certification?

A3. Obtaining a Medical Writer Certification provides individuals with an opportunity to increase their job prospects by demonstrating their expertise in the field of medical writing. Additionally, it also offers employers assurance that they are hiring knowledgeable professionals who have the skills necessary to produce high-quality work products.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as a Medical Writer?

A4. The duration of the certification process varies depending on the program you choose; however, most programs require around 8-12 months of coursework and hands-on experience before you can successfully become certified as a Medical Writer.

Q5 Are there any prerequisites for taking the certification exam?

A5 Yes, most programs require applicants to have at least three years of experience in medical writing or related fields prior to taking the exam. Additionally, some programs also require applicants to pass an online assessment before they can proceed with the certification process