Medical Office Manager Certification

Medical office managers are not required to be licensed. They may, however, seek voluntary certification. Which certification you select will depend partly on your healthcare background.

The Certified Medical Manager (CMM) credential, offered through the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management, validates the competency of managers who work in physicians’ office settings. You don’t need experience as an office manager to apply, but you do need health care experience. Generally, you must have at least 12 semester hours of courses in healthcare or business management. Extensive experience in health care, however, can lessen the academic requirement. The exam covers a wide variety of topics from financial management to human resources to compliance issues. The Practice Management Institute offers the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) credential. You will need two years of medical office experience before sitting for the exam.

In unlicensed professions, you often find a plethora of agencies offering certificates and certifications. They’re not all equal, however. You may not have the work experience yet to go for the most prestigious certification, but you want to make sure potential employers view your certification as something more than a piece of paper. Before investing in the program, you may want to research the job market in your area. Search employment ads through Indeed.com or a professional organization. What certifications do they cite?