AHDI offers a voluntary certification exam to individuals who wish to become Certified Medical Transcriptionists (CMTs). AHDI’s purpose in promoting this credential is to protect the public interest by promoting high professional and ethical standards, improving the practice of medical transcription, and recognizing those professionals who demonstrate their competency in medical transcription through the fulfillment of stated requirements.
The CMT credential is awarded upon successfully passing the AHDI certification examination for medical transcriptionists. This credential is maintained through recertification upon the completion of current continuing education requirements and payment of a recertification fee.
Eligibility Requirements
The CMT exam targets an experienced medical transcriptionist with Professional Level 2 skills and knowledge as defined in the "Medical Transcriptionist Job Descriptions". Although any candidate is “eligible” and granted permission to take the CMT certification examination, two years of transcription experience in the acute care (or equivalent) setting is strongly suggested for success on the exam. Acute care is defined as incorporating medical center dictation to include many dictators including multiple ESL dictators, many formats and report types, and all the major specialties, including and especially surgery dictation of all types, and some minor specialties.
The Testing Process
The AHDI CMT Exam consists of both medical transcription-related knowledge items and transcription performance items. The transcription performance items include transcribing dictation, editing, and proofreading. The examination is available worldwide where selected Thomson Prometric test centers are located. Upon completion of the exam at the testing center, a score report will be available immediately. If one does not pass the exam, a report will be given indicating the objective areas where improvement is needed.
The procedure for applying to take the exam is detailed below. At the time the candidate presents to the test center, he or she must present a currently valid government-issued photo ID. It is the candidate’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of his/her name as it appears on the Authorization to Test and the confirmation from the test center, and that the information matches that on the government-issued photo ID. No study materials or references may be brought in to the testing center, and no electronic aids will be available (spellchecker, macros, etc.). The candidate will be testing on the test center computer equipment. The candidates may not bring their own keyboards or headsets to the test center. Foot pedals are not provided. A standard wav player is operated using the mouse.
Special Needs Accommodations
If a candidate is subject to a disability covered under the Americans With Disability Act (ADA) and requires special accommodations or modifications to take the test, a brief statement describing the accommodations or modifications requested and appropriate documentation verifying the need for such accommodations must be submitted to AHDI at the time of application.
Results
Upon initial certification, each CMT will be notified of the date through which certification is valid (renewal date). CMTs can download a certificate from AHDI website for free, and may order a CMT pin from AHDI for a nominal fee.
The candidates who do not pass will receive a score report that shows where they need improvement. Test results are provided upon completion of the exam.
Applying to Take the Exam
To take the CMT Exam, candidates must first apply for eligibility by completing the CMT Exam Application. A ten-dollar ($10) fee will be applied to exam applications to offset the cost of processing. This fee is non-refundable and will be collected by credit card submission at the time the application is completed. A candidate can request an extension on their Authorization to Test timeframe at no additional cost if the request is made prior to the eligibility end date. An Authorization to Test letter—including instructions for registering with the independent testing company administering the exam (Thomson Prometric) will be sent to the candidate within two weeks of submitting your application. Upon receipt of the Authorization to Test, the candidate will contact Thomson Prometric to schedule an exam date and to make payment. The Authorization to Test is valid for 90 days. The CMT exam must be scheduled and taken within the 90 days allotted by the Authorization to Test. If the exam is not completed within that time frame, a new application to test must be submitted to AHDI.
Important note regarding testing: Please note that the name on your AHDI account MUST match your photo identification card EXACTLY. If you are a new user and have never logged in on the AHDI website you will need to create a new account. If you are an existing customer (member OR non-member) you must log into the website before filling out the exam application. Follow the instructions on the exam application to ensure that you have logged in and that the information in your account matches the information on your identification card. Prometric testing centers will verify your ID and your authorization match exactly before allowing you to test. Failure to follow these steps may result in your inability to test without refund of testing fees.
If you require further assistance creating an account or logging in to an existing account, please contact AHDI toll free at 800-982-2182 or direct 209-527-9620 of via email at credentialing@ahdionline.org.
To locate a testing center near you, please visit www.prometric.com/ahdi. Click on the “Locate a Testing Center” button and follow the instructions.
Cancellation Policy
Candidates who wish to cancel or reschedule an exam must do so before noon Eastern Standard Time at least two (2) business days before the originally scheduled date or else forfeit their exam fee.
Ongoing Recertification
Individuals who successfully complete the AHDI certification exam are recognized as Certified Medical Transcriptionists and are entitled to use the CMT designation. Certification is valid for three years. Recertification is accomplished by paying a recertification fee and by earning a minimum of 30 continuing education credits in the required categories during their three-year cycle.
Recertification & Continuing Education Credits
For more detailed information on the CMT Exam, please refer to the CMT Candidate Guide.
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