Certification Process

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Check out our archived webinar on the AMT certification process.This webinar is FREE (Click Here).

***Important Examination Information for Schools (Click Here)

For an overview of the entire certification process: (Click Here). Information specific to schools is listed below:

1. Obtain Applications: Students can complete and send in their applications as they near the end of the didactic part of their program. Applications can be downloaded directly from the AMT website (click on the Certification tab and then on the specific certification specialty).

***Note that in some instances, students are allowed to sit for the exam prior to the start of their externship. However, please be aware that the student will not be considered officially certified until all paperwork, including the final transcript, is received and processed. Program directors can notify AMT directly to request this service.

2. Complete the Applications: Some schools complete the applications as a group activity. Others allow the students to complete the applications individually. Whichever way is chosen, the program director should gather all the completed applications and send them, along with a Student Roster, to AMT. The Student Roster Form simply lists the names of the students who will be taking the AMT exam.

Student Roster Form (Download)

AMT will do the initial processing, but will not consider the applications "complete" until the final transcripts are received. However, once the transcripts are received, AMT will be able to expedite the processing of the applications.

3. Decide on Exam Method: Students can either take a proctored exam at their school or through one of many Pearson VUE computer testing centers. Alternately, the school can apply to become a Pearson VUE testing center and offer the exam on campus. The biggest advantage of taking the exam via computer (either at the school or at one of the centers) is that the students will immediately know their scores. One note, however, the students will not be considered certified until those scores are transmitted back to AMT and AMT completes processing the students' applications. Official notification will be sent through the mail.

FAQs regarding Computerized Testing: (Download)

To find a Pearson VUE testing center near you: (Click Here)

To find out how a school can become a Pearson VUE site (Click Here)

FAQs about Proctored Exams: (Download)

4. Encourage Study Sessions: Students have at their disposal a number of resources to help them study for the exam, including outlines of the exam content, resource materials, and a practice test (not available for all specialties). To find out about all the available resources for a specific certification, click on the Certification tab and then on the specific specialty.

To order a practice exam: (Click here)

If you have any questions, please call AMT: 847-823-5169

CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Certified Medical Administrative Specialist

1. Applicant shall be of good moral character.

2. Applicant shall meet one of the following eligibility routes:

ROUTE 1 (EDUCATION): Applicant shall be a graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from, an accredited medical office administrative program. ^1,2,3,4

ROUTE 2 (RMA CERTIFICANT): Applicant shall be certified as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), or equivalent, and possess a minimum of two years of recent full-time experience working as a medical office administrative specialist.

ROUTE 3 (WORK EXPERIENCE): Applicant shall have been employed as a medical office administrative specialist for a minimum of five of the past seven years. Proof of high school graduation (or equivalent) is required.

3. Applicant shall take and pass the appropriate AMT certification examination.

Requirement Footnotes:

1. Accredited program: Program or institution is accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or otherwise approved by the AMT Board of Directors

2. All training programs should include a minimum of 720 clock hours (or equivalent) of didactic training in medical office administrative skills, including a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours in duration.

3. The training programs must have been structured to include at least the following content areas: 1) medical records management, 2) health care insurance processing, coding and billing, 3) office financial responsibilities, and 4) information processing.

4. Applicants seeking certification under eligibility Route 1 must have graduated from their academic programs within the past four years. Applicants whose date of graduation is four years or more prior to the date of their application must also provide evidence of relevant work experience for at least three of the last five years.