Top 10 Practice Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a practice manager in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the practice manager is knowledgeable and qualified to handle the responsibilities of a practice manager. Certifications also show employers that the practice manager has taken the time to learn and stay up to date on current trends, technologies, and best practices in healthcare management. Certifications can give a practice manager an edge over other candidates who may not have them or lack experience in specific areas. Additionally, certifications provide evidence of a commitment to professional development, which can be appealing to employers looking for long-term employees.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Practice Managers and explains how they can contribute to a practice manager's career development.

What are Practice Manager Certifications?

Practice manager certification is a professional designation that recognizes a healthcare provider's ability to successfully manage and lead a medical practice. It is designed to help ensure that those in this important role have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage the financial, operational, and clinical aspects of a practice.

The certification process involves completing an approved program and passing an exam. The program covers areas such as accounting principles, human resources management, medical coding and billing procedures, medical law, health care regulations, risk management, information systems management, and patient safety. After successful completion of the program and exam requirements, individuals are awarded the Practice Manager Certification (PMC).

Having PMC certification can be beneficial for practice managers in several ways. It demonstrates their commitment to professional excellence and shows employers that they possess the necessary skills to effectively manage a medical practice. Furthermore, it can help increase their earning potential as well as open up more opportunities for career advancement. In addition, having PMC credentials can also give them access to additional resources such as continuing education programs or networking events.

Pro Tip: When considering a practice manager certification, make sure to research the relevant accreditation standards and requirements. Read up on the specific criteria for each program and compare the offerings of different providers to make sure you’re getting the best education. Also, look into any potential continuing education options that may be available once you complete your certification.

Related: What does a Practice Manager do?

Top 10 Practice Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Practice Manager (CPM)

Certified Practice Manager (CPM) is a professional certification offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in managing medical practices. The CPM credential demonstrates a mastery of the principles and practices of practice management, including coding, billing, reimbursement, compliance, human resources management, financial planning and operations.

The CPM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as medical practice management, coding and billing processes, reimbursement systems and regulations, finance and accounting principles for medical practices, human resources management for medical practices, marketing strategies for medical practices, risk management for medical practices and quality improvement initiatives.

To become certified as a CPM requires passing the AAPC’s Certified Practice Manager Exam. This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering all areas of practice management. Applicants must have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting before they can take the exam. The exam typically takes three hours to complete.

The cost to take the Certified Practice Manager Exam is $399 USD.

2. Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM)

Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM) is a certification that is offered by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). This certification is designed for individuals who are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a medical practice. The CMPM credential demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a medical practice.

The certification process typically takes between 6 to 12 months to complete, depending on the individual's experience and background. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam administered by ACMPE. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as practice management, finance, human resources, marketing, technology, and compliance.

To be eligible for the CMPM certification, applicants must have at least two years of verifiable work experience in a medical practice setting. They must also possess either a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university or have completed an ACMPE approved program in medical practice management.

The cost of obtaining the CMPM credential varies depending on whether you are already an ACMPE member or not. For non-members, the cost is $425 for the application fee plus $400 for the exam fee; for members it is $325 for the application fee plus $400 for the exam fee.

3. Certified Professional Practice Manager (CPPM)

Certified Professional Practice Manager (CPPM) is a certification program designed to help practice managers demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field. The CPPM program is offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is a comprehensive, two-part program that consists of an online course and an exam.

The online course covers topics such as medical coding, billing, practice management, and compliance. It takes approximately 40 hours to complete the online course. After completing the online course, individuals must pass a proctored exam in order to be certified as a CPPM. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to take the exam, individuals must first register with AAPC and pay an exam fee of $299 USD. Once registered, individuals can schedule their exams at any AAPC-approved testing center throughout the United States.

Upon successful completion of the CPPM program and passing the exam, individuals will receive a certificate from AAPC that certifies them as a Certified Professional Practice Manager (CPPM). This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses or retaking the proctored exam every two years.

4. Certified Healthcare Practice Manager (CHPM)

Certified Healthcare Practice Manager (CHPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and expertise of healthcare practice managers. The CHPM certification is a voluntary credential that demonstrates an individual's commitment to excellence in healthcare practice management. It is awarded by the National Association of Healthcare Practice Managers (NAHPM).

The CHPM certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in healthcare practice management, as well as a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education in the field. Applicants must also pass an examination that covers topics such as financial management, human resources, operations, information technology, and legal and regulatory issues.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the CHPM certification. To get started, applicants must first submit an application along with supporting documentation and fees to NAHPM. After being approved, applicants will receive access to study materials and can then begin studying for the exam. Once they have successfully passed the exam, they will be awarded their CHPM credential.

The cost of obtaining a CHPM certification varies depending on factors such as location and type of membership chosen. The cost typically ranges from $400-$800 USD for members and $500-$1000 USD for non-members.

5. Certified Ambulatory Care Management (CACM)

Certified Ambulatory Care Management (CACM) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Ambulatory Care Nurses (AAACN). CACM is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved a high level of expertise in the management and delivery of ambulatory care services. It is intended to promote excellence in ambulatory care nursing and provide recognition for those who demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in this field.

The CACM certification process includes an eligibility review, application submission, and written examination. The eligibility review requires that applicants meet certain educational requirements as well as have at least two years of clinical practice experience in ambulatory care settings. The written examination consists of multiple-choice questions related to the core competencies of ambulatory care nursing.

The entire process takes approximately four months to complete from start to finish. To get started, applicants must first submit an online application form along with supporting documentation such as transcripts, certifications, and letters of recommendation. Once the application has been approved, applicants will receive an email notification with instructions on how to register for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will be awarded their CACM credential.

The cost for the CACM certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of AAACN. For members, it costs $400 while non-members pay $500. In addition to these fees, there may also be additional costs associated with preparing for and taking the exam such as study materials or test preparation courses.

6. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a certification program developed by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in medical office management. The CMOM certification is an important step for medical office managers who want to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field.

The CMOM certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in a medical office setting, as well as passing an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient scheduling, insurance billing, coding, HIPAA compliance, and more. Candidates must also complete a CMOM application and pay an application fee before taking the exam.

The cost of the CMOM certification varies depending on the candidate’s membership status with AAPC. For non-members, the cost is $399; for members it is $299. In addition to this fee, there may also be additional costs associated with taking the exam such as registration fees and study materials.

It typically takes between 4-6 weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam and been certified as a CMOM, you will receive a certificate and be listed on AAPC’s website as a Certified Medical Office Manager.

7. Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC)

A Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC) is a professional who provides consulting services to healthcare organizations. CHBCs help healthcare organizations develop and implement strategies for improving operations, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs. They also provide guidance on regulatory compliance, financial management, and strategic planning.

It typically takes about two years to become a CHBC. To get certified, you must complete an accredited training program or coursework in healthcare business administration or related fields. You will also need to pass a certification exam administered by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

The cost of becoming a CHBC varies depending on the type of program you choose and where you take it. Most programs range from $2,000 to $10,000. Some programs may require additional fees for books and materials as well as travel expenses if they are not offered locally.

Once you have passed the certification exam, you will be awarded the CHBC designation and can begin practicing as a Certified Healthcare Business Consultant.

8. American Association of Medical Office Managers Certification (AAMOMC)

The American Association of Medical Office Managers Certification (AAMOMC) is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of medical office managers. This certification is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the management of medical offices, including patient care, financial operations, staff management, and other administrative duties. To obtain this certification, applicants must meet certain qualifications and pass an exam administered by the American Association of Medical Office Managers (AAMOM).

The AAMOMC certification process typically takes about three months to complete. The first step is to apply for the certification online through the AAMOM website. Once accepted into the program, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the exam. After registering for the exam, applicants must study for and take a proctored multiple-choice test. Upon passing the test, applicants will be awarded their AAMOMC certification.

The cost of obtaining a AAMOMC certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of AAMOM. Non-members can expect to pay around $150 for the application fee and $200 for the exam fee. Members of AAMOM can expect to pay around $100 for the application fee and $150 for the exam fee. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking practice tests or purchasing study materials related to preparing for the exam.

9. American College of Healthcare Executives Certification in Practice Management (ACHE-PM)

The American College of Healthcare Executives Certification in Practice Management (ACHE-PM) is a credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of healthcare professionals who manage medical practices. The certification is designed to provide healthcare executives with the tools necessary for successful practice management.

To qualify for ACHE-PM certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in practice management and demonstrate mastery of core competencies in areas such as finance, operations, human resources, and information technology. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by the American College of Healthcare Executives.

The ACHE-PM exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test the applicant’s knowledge in areas such as financial management, operations management, human resources management, and information technology. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken either online or in person at a designated testing center.

The cost to take the ACHE-PM exam is $395 for members of the American College of Healthcare Executives and $495 for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their ACHE-PM certification within four weeks.

10. Professional Association of Health Care Office Management Certification in Practice Management (PAHCOM-PM)

The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice of health care office management. The PAHCOM-PM certification is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of healthcare office managers in the areas of operations, finance, information systems, human resources, and compliance.

The PAHCOM-PM certification requires passing an exam that covers all aspects of healthcare office management. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours and 30 minutes. Candidates must have a minimum of two years' experience in healthcare office management to be eligible for the exam.

To get the PAHCOM-PM certification, candidates must complete an application form and submit it along with payment for the exam fee ($295). Once approved, candidates will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the exam. After successfully completing the exam, candidates will receive their certificate via mail.

The cost for taking the PAHCOM-PM certification exam is $295 USD.

Do You Really Need a Practice Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation and goals. If you are looking to become a practice manager, then a practice manager certificate can be beneficial. It is an important credential that will demonstrate your knowledge and experience in managing medical practices.

A practice management certificate program will typically cover topics such as billing, coding, scheduling, patient confidentiality, budgeting, and other administrative duties. You will also learn about the legal issues involved in running a medical practice and how to handle them properly. Additionally, some programs may provide additional training in marketing or public relations. Having a practice management certificate can help you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or promotions within the field.

On the other hand, if you are already working as a practice manager and want to stay in your current position, then a practice management certificate may not be necessary for you. However, if you plan on advancing within the field or expanding your skillset into other areas of healthcare administration, then it could be beneficial for you to pursue one of these certificates. By doing so, you could gain more knowledge and skills that would make you more valuable in the workplace and help prepare you for higher-level positions.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a practice manager certificate depends on your unique career goals and objectives. If it is something that interests you and would benefit your career path in any way, then pursuing one could be a great decision!

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FAQs About Practice Manager Certifications

1. What is a Practice Manager Certification?

Answer: A Practice Manager Certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the management of medical practices. It signifies an individual’s ability to effectively manage practice operations, finance, personnel, and patient care.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Practice Manager Certification?

Answer: Obtaining a Practice Manager Certification can increase your knowledge and skills in medical practice management while demonstrating to employers your dedication to the field. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement and higher pay.

3. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Practice Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Practice Manager, you must meet certain eligibility requirements including education (such as a degree or diploma in health administration or business), relevant work experience, and successful completion of an accredited certification program.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Practice Manager?

Answer: The time it takes to become certified as a Practice Manager varies depending on the program chosen and individual circumstances; however, most programs require between 6 months and 2 years to complete all necessary requirements for certification.

5. Is there an exam I need to pass in order to receive my certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies require candidates to pass an examination in order to receive their certification; this exam covers topics such as financial management, personnel management, patient care management, and practice operations.