Certified Medical Coder (CMC)^®

The Certified Medical Coder (CMC)^® is a certification designed for physician-based coding professionals. Experienced individuals, able to demonstrate by exam a superior level of physician-based coding knowledge, are awarded the CMC certification. The certification becomes a currency that validates personal achievement, demonstrates a person's commitment to the profession, improves employer confidence, and can help guard the practice against fraud and abuse.

This individual plays an integral role in the reimbursement process ensuring that proper documentation guidelines are followed and that codes are submitted to the highest degree of specificity to ensure that the physician receives every dollar entitled for the services rendered.

The Certification Exam

A CMC candidate has up to six hours to complete the exam. This individual must possess a great deal of knowledge in medical terminology as applied to diagnostic and procedural coding, CPT® and ICD-9-CM Coding, ancillary services and advanced coding issues. Codes are hand-written and selected according to the highest degree of specificity.

PMI's professional services team and advisory board stand behind the CMC exam as the best tool available to accurately measure coding competency. Several protocols such as live proctored exams and fill-in-the-blank format ensure that the integrity of the exam is never compromised. While most organizations have gone to a multiple choice format, PMI maintains exam integrity by requiring hand written answers which eliminate the possibility to "guess" the correct answer by deselecting from choices provided on the exam. If the candidate cannot code from scratch, he/she won't pass the exam.

PMI's goal is to ensure that more highly skilled CMC coders are available in communities across the country to help safeguard physicians. Its faculty team is comprised of first-rate professionals with a high degree of personal integrity, a love for teaching and a great deal of enthusiasm about their subject matter. Review our Quick Links for further information about PMI's faculty and certifications. You can also download/print the Fact Sheets below.

Next Step: Getting Started on Your Path to CMC

I received my first certification through PMI back in 2002. At the time I was a provider representative for a state contract that was about to end. With my Certified Medical Coder (CMC) certificate and the medical office background that I had, I was offered a position with another state contract for medical services. The new position was one of only 17 in the entire State of Texas. I immediately recognized how much the added education from PMI has benefited me. Now I am the Director of Billing Compliance for an internationally known School of Medicine. Because of the choice that I made in 2002 to expand my knowledge and skill base and to continue to be a life-long-learner, taking advantage of the many education opportunities offered through PMI, I now enjoy a meaningful and financially rewarding career and not just a job.

Toni J. Emmons, CMC, CPC
Director of Billing Compliance
TTUHSC School of Medicine at Amarillo
Amarillo, Texas