CMTs maintain this credential through participation in continuing education activities relevant to medical transcription. Recertification is required every three years. CMTs maintain and build on their competency in the field of medical transcription with continuing education (CE) activities. This is necessary for the practitioner to function effectively in today’s fast-paced healthcare environment.

Continuing education (CE) guidelines are sent to all CMTs upon initial certification and following any periodic revisions. The guidelines are available on the AHDI website under Certification. These provide details about creditworthy activities and recertification procedures.

A minimum of 30 continuing education credits (CECs) must be accrued with at least 24 of these in the core areas of Clinical Medicine, Medical Transcription Tools, Technology and the Workplace, and Medicolegal Issues. The remaining 6 required CECs may be obtained in either the Core areas mentioned above or the Optional areas of Complementary Medicine, Healthcare Industry and Professional Development. It is recommended that CMTs obtain more than the minimum 30 CECs, in the event a question arises as to the creditworthiness of an activity.

Membership in AHDI is not a requirement for the CMT credential; however, it is encouraged because of the opportunities and benefits afforded members.

Jump To Topic

• Understanding Recertification
• Earning Continuing Education Credits
• Continuing Education Activities
• Approval of Continuing Education Activities
• Filling Out Credit Approval Requests
• Filling Out CE Summary Forms

Understanding Recertification

On initial certification, CMTs are placed in a 3-year continuing education (CE) cycle.

CMTs will be placed in a certification cycle based on the anniversary month of their exam, expiring the last day of the month. (Example: A transcriptionist successfully passing the CMT exam in September 2004 will need to recertify by September 30, 2007.)

All CMTs are responsible for knowing when their cycle ends. This information is sent at the time of initial certification and recertification and can be found on the CMT Certificate or Validation of Recertification, which can be downloaded from the AHDI website.

Recertification Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

• Accrue at least 30 continuing education credits (CECs), including 24 CECs in the Core Areas; 6 CECs from Core Areas and/or Optional Areas
• Signing the Recertification Agreement
• Paying recertification fee.

See "Accruing and reporting credits" and "Earning Continuing Education Credits" below.

Recertification Fees Effective 6/1/08, recertification fees will be $50 every 3 years. This fee sustains record-keeping and notification systems over the next 3-year CE cycle. The fee is required, is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Statements for Recertification Fees are generated by the certification program and are separate from AHDI dues notices.

Payment must accompany recertification forms and must be received in the Modesto office by the recertification deadline.

Upon recertification, each CMT receives an acknowledgement notice noting the new cycle expiration date. Recertification is valid for 3 years.

Certification Status

The certification status of an individual is public information, and certification staff will respond to oral or written requests for verification. Certification status (presently certified, never certified, certification lapsed, or certification revoked), certification date, the cycle ending date, and reason no longer certified (if certification has lapsed or been revoked) may be released.

Change of name, address

In order to protect the individual CMT, notification of a name change must be made in writing and sent to the certification program at AHDI via email, fax, or mail. A printed copy of the notice is filed with the CMT's records for documentation. Notice of address changes may be made orally or in writing.

Accruing and reporting credits

Each 3-year CE cycle begins on the date specified in the letter of notification of certification. No CECs are awarded for initial certification.

CMTs must record AHDI-approved CE activities on Continuing Education Summary Forms and submit them at the end of each 3-year cycle. (See "Filling Out CE Summary Forms.")

All forms and fees must be received in the Modesto office by the recertification deadline. All activities reported must have taken place within the 3-year cycle. CECs earned in excess of the minimum required are not carried over to the next cycle.

CMTs earning 50 or more credits within the 3-year cycle receive recognition of outstanding achievement on their validation certificate.

Effective 6/1/08, CMTs do have the option of recertifying prior to their recertification deadline. All of the normal forms and fees apply. In the event of an early recertification, any CECs accrued from the time of the early recertification until the original recertification deadline will NOT apply toward any recertification cycle.

Extensions

Effective 6/1/08, 60-day extensions may be granted to allow CMTs additional time to accrue CECs. Extensions must be in writing and accompanied by a $50 extension fee prior to the original recertification deadline. Final recertification documentation and the normal recertification fee of $50 must be submitted within the 60-day extension period. The original due date remains in effect for recertification. (For example: An original due date of 8/31/08, extended to 10/31/08, recertification due 8/31/11). Extension requests and fees may be submitted to Cassie Uber, Credentialing and Education Specialist, at the AHDI office or via email at cuber@ahdionline.org.

Review, audit, denial

AHDI may audit a CMT's reported CE activities at its discretion, request additional information at any time, or deny credit based on information provided.

AHDI identifies approximately 20% of the summary forms in each cycle for audit. When audited, a CMT must submit proof of attendance for activities listed on the summary forms. Certification will expire for CMTs who do not provide the required documentation.

Proof of attendance

Proof of attendance and other documentation must be retained by each CMT until notice of recertification has been received. These should be sent to AHDI only if requested (for example, in case of audit). Proof-of-attendance documents should contain the following:

• name of sponsoring organization;
• date(s) and time(s) of activities;
• title of each presentation, activity, or course;
• name of each speaker, facilitator, or instructor.

AHDI component associations should also provide:

• number and category of CECs approved for each presentation or workshop segment.

A credit approval request form signed by a representative of a non-AHDI activity (e.g., tumor board, grand rounds) may serve as proof of attendance.

Failure to recertify

All CMTs are responsible for tracking their own CECs that have been approved during their 3-year cycle and to know their recertification cycle end date. CMTs should notify AHDI promptly if reminders, fee statements, or recertification materials have not been received as expected. It is the CMT’s responsibility to notify AHDI of any changes in address or contact information. CMTs who do not submit the proper forms and fees to the Modesto office by the deadline will be considered lapsed and will no longer be eligible to identify themselves as CMTs. The only way to become certified again is by successfully passing the CMT exam.

Lapsed notices and Grace Period

A lapsed notice will be sent to any CMT who does not submit the proper documentation and fees prior to their recertification deadline (or extension date). Effective 6/1/08, CMTs have 90 days from the date the notice is sent to submit their documentation and fees in order for their credential to be reinstated. There is a $50 reinstatement fee due, along with the normal recertification fee of $50, at the time of reinstatement. Any CECs obtained during the "grace period" will not count toward the current recertification cycle. The only way to request additional time for accruing CECs is by filing an extension prior to the original recertification deadline.

Individuals whose certification has expired are no longer eligible to identify themselves as CMTs. If they do not recertify during the 90-day grace period, the only way to become certified again is by successfully passing the CMT exam.

Earning Continuing Education Credits

Continuing education credits may be earned by participating in creditworthy activities relevant to medical transcription. An activity is defined as a single presentation, lecture, educational course, workshop on a single topic, approved quizzes, and article summaries. Live activities such as lectures, workshops, seminars, and symposia may be approved for CE credit based on contact hours, rounded down to the nearest quarter hour. No credit is given for activities of less than 15 minutes in length; unrelated activities of less than 15 minutes cannot be combined to meet the minimum 15-minute requirement. All activities are evaluated individually for creditworthiness; e.g., when several educational activities are part of a larger program, each activity is evaluated individually for creditworthiness and number of credits that may be approved. A written summary of a creditworthy activity earns only 1 CEC regardless of the length of the original activity.

Documentation for activities listed on the Continuing Education Summary form should be submitted only at the end of the recertification cycle, along with the summary form.

CMTs are awarded credit for approved activities (relevant to medical transcription) as follows:

• 0.25 CEC for each quarter-hour lecture, panel presentation, interactive teleconference, workshop, seminar, grand rounds conference, tumor registrar case review, clinical case review; observation of a medical procedure that includes description or discussion;
• 1 CEC for each approved summary of a creditworthy article, book chapter, or book; televised, videotaped, or audiotaped program; observed procedure;
• 1 CEC for completion of each "post-test" (passing score submitted as part of the documentation), or self-graded quizzes. These quizzes are to be submitted ONLY at the end of the recertification cycle, with the Continuing Education Summary Form.
• 3 CECs for each semester credit (15 hours) and 2 CECs for each quarter credit (10 hours) of college-level courses.
• College-level classes that are not a part of a degree program (such as adult education courses) are evaluated on an individual basis. If creditworthy, contact hours are divided by 5 to determine the number of CECs. For example, a 20-hour word-processing class is equivalent to 4 CECs.

The maximum number of CECs allowed for any single continuing education activity (e.g., one college course) is 10.

CECs for completion of AHDI modules and videos, as well as audiocassettes of creditworthy speakers at AHDI national conferences, are as originally specified for each. Proof of attendance is required when completed in a group setting; a summary (worth 1 CEC) is required for independent study.

Authors desiring CE credit for writing must submit a summary of the article, book chapter, or book, or a copy of the publication itself, for which they are seeking credit. This request for approval should be submitted prior to the submitting the Continuing Education Summary form.

Speakers making creditworthy presentations may receive the same number and type of continuing education credits as those attending the presentation. Credit is awarded one time only during a 3-year cycle to speakers making multiple presentations of the same creditworthy program.

Instructors may receive credit for documented presentation of instructional material (i.e., teaching a class) one time only during a 3-year cycle. The number of approved credits may vary (compare to college and adult education classes above).

Other activities, such as RHIT or coding exams, are evaluated on the basis of submission of appropriate documentation and passing score report at the time the Continuing Education Summary is submitted at the end of the cycle.

Effective January 2001, AHDI will automatically accept approved continuing medical education (CME) credits as CE credits for CMTs when submitted at the time of recertification and accompanied by documentation of CME approval. CMTs do not need to request separate approval by AHDI for CME programs directed to physicians and other healthcare providers.

Continuing Education Activities

All creditworthy continuing education activities must be formally presented by qualified professionals on creditworthy topics relevant to medical transcription and directed to professional audiences. Articles, presentations, and workshops directed to lay audiences or the general public are generally not creditworthy. Live presentations must be given by someone with expert knowledge of the subject sufficient to respond to questions.

CMTs are required to earn at least 30 CECs in several areas of study over their 3-year cycle. The distribution is as outlined in the table below.

CEC Requirements Table

Approval of Continuing Education Activities

All CE activities presented by components must be approved using a credit approval request form, or a likeness of it, via mail, fax, or email. Computer-generated forms and email requests may be used as long as information is complete. If approval requests are faxed or submitted electronically, do not also mail originals; AHDI will return a copy of the approved form to the person requesting approval. Approvals are not considered finalized until and unless they have been signed off by certification staff. Requests for approval should be made either before an activity or within 30 days after it if possible.

Individual CMTs must request credit approval from AHDI for any CE activities that have not been prior approved by AHDI. Quizzes, narrative summaries of prior-approved articles, and article summaries from other educational transcription-related sources must be submitted along with the Continuing Education Summary Form at the end of the Recertification Cycle in order to demonstrate completion.

AHDI local chapters and state or regional associations must request approval for creditworthy activities they sponsor. They should provide proof of attendance to CMTs and others who are present. The proof of attendance must indicate the numbers and categories of CE credit approved by AHDI. The component associations are encouraged to keep records of attendance and make them available to CMTs upon request.

Each CMT attending a program should confirm that the activity has been approved for credit and obtain proof of attendance at the time of the activity.

College courses/independent study

Requests for approval of college courses and independent study programs sent after the course or program is completed must include (1) a copy of the catalog description or other evidence of course content demonstrating creditworthiness, (2) a transcript showing a passing grade of C or better, and (3) a notation regarding whether the course or program was on a semester or quarter basis and number of credit hours earned. Requests submitted prior to enrollment in a course may be approved pending a final passing grade (which must be submitted before credit approval is finalized).

Written summaries to be submitted

Activities requiring written summaries must be completed during the current 3-year CE cycle; that is, creditworthy material must have been read, viewed, or heard during the CE cycle, although it may have been published previously. The information must still be current and relevant.

Summaries should be submitted and should contain the source of the article or location/sponsor of the program; name and qualifications or credentials of author or presenter; date of activity; page number(s) and volume or publication date of printed source. websites should be identified by their Internet address and date accessed. These summaries are to be submitted along with the Continuing Education Summary Form at the end of the Recertification Cycle.

These summaries should be brief (about 200 words maximum) and written in outline or narrative form so that they convey the essence of the article or presentation. Summaries must be typed or legibly printed and suitable for photocopying. AHDI will not process illegible summaries.

For group component association activities requiring a written summary, one person (such as the program chair) may submit the summary and credit approval request on behalf of the group.

When available, a graded and scored post-test or quiz may be submitted in lieu of a summary. This is to be submitted with the Continuing Education Summary Form at the time of recertification.

Filling Out Credit Approval Requests

To facilitate processing approval requests, submit one form for each activity, even when there are several activities on the same day or within the same symposium, seminar, or convention. Fill out the form completely. You may attach supporting documentation if it will not fit in the space provided and further clarifies the request. (Send copies only, or make copies for your records; AHDI will retain documentation for our files and will not return copies to you.) If submitting requests electronically (using a downloaded form or email message), you may list all activities for one event on one request. Make sure to include all required information, as described below.

• Name and address of the person to whom the response to the request should be returned.
• Name of the sponsoring chapter, organization, institution, or article source.
• Complete name of the presentation, article, or activity.
• Brief description of the activity content.
• Speaker's (or author's) name and credential or title.
• Speaker's (or author's) qualifications to address the topic.
• Date(s) of activity.
• Length of time of the activity in hours and/or minutes, or beginning and ending times. (Do not include breaks or meals.)
• Number of CECs requested. Mark the appropriate category as you understand it. See table above.
• Sign section A if you are submitting an approval request on behalf of an AHDI component association or other organization. Otherwise, sign section B. Provide daytime contact information in case we have questions. No signature is needed for electronic requests.

Send your request to AHDI and keep a copy for your records. The approved form will be returned to the person requesting approval by the same manner it was sent unless you instruct us otherwise.

If information is insufficient to determine creditworthiness, you will be notified so that additional information can be provided and processing completed. If approval is denied, a reason will be given. Contact certification staff any time you disagree with a decision or need further clarification. It is possible that a decision may be reversed following discussion.

CE Approval Request Form Adobe PDF or MS Word

Filling Out CE Summary Forms

Forms must be completed as directed; those filled out incorrectly or incompletely will be returned for correction or completion. Additional summary forms are available online or by request, and blank forms may be photocopied. Other computer-generated forms may be submitted as long as all information requested on the CE summary form is provided.

Note: Summary forms received more than 3 months before the end of a cycle will be returned to you for submission at the appropriate time.

Carefully follow the directions below for submitting CE summary forms at the end of each 3-year cycle.

• Type or carefully print all information.


• Fill in name and address. Indicate any recent changes.
• Fill in CMT number and date submitted.
• Check appropriate CE cycle dates.
• Provide contact information (phone, fax, email).
• List only one activity per line.
• Include for every activity: title, sponsor or source, month/day/year of activity, number and category of CECs approved for that activity.
• Attach copies of all activities such as Article Summaries, quizzes, Word Warriors, Medicine Matchups to the Continuing Education Summary form to demonstrate completion of the activity.

List each educational session or speaker separately when part of a symposium or meeting with multiple sessions. EXCEPTION: For events consisting of multiple sessions, you may attach a copy of the proof of attendance or meeting program and enter the event title, sponsor, date(s), and total number of CECs by category if and only if ALL the following information appears on the documentation:

• name of program/event
• program sponsor
• date(s)
• title of each presentation
• category and number of CECs for each approved presentation
• Do not write in the section labeled "For Certification Use Only."
• Send your completed summary form (and any copies of proofs of attendance or programs, if needed) to AHDI. Keep a copy for your records until you receive notice of recertification.

Before submitting paperwork, ask yourself these questions.

• Do I have a total of 30 approved credits in the required distribution (at least 24 in the core categories)?
• Have I provided all information requested on the form?
• Have I attached all the quizzes such as Word Warriors and article summaries
• Have I signed and dated my recertification agreement and paid all fees?
• Am I meeting the deadline?

If you can answer yes to all the above, congratulate yourself for doing your part. Validation of recertification will be sent to you as soon as processing is completed.

CE Summary Form (PDF) or CE Summary Form (Word)