The most important consideration in finding successful employment in the Medical Transcription industry is your skill set. Certification, while not essential, can be very helpful in advancing a career in Medical Transcription. When people speak of certification in the Medical Transcription field, they are typically referring to certification with the AAMT (American Association of Medical Transcriptionists). The official designation of the AAMT certification is "CMT" - Certified Medical Transcriptionist.

While the CMT is certainly highly regarded, it is by no means a prerequisite for entry into, or advancement within the field of medical transcription. Many competent trancriptionists do not have the designation. However, if your time and resources permit, it is something that should be seriously considered.

The CMT credential is particularly important for those interested in pursuing a management level or supervisory position in the industry.

Becoming a CMT requires an investment - both in time and money.

The CMT exam is a two part exam. Each part must be taken separately and each requires the payment of a fee. You are required to pass Part I before sitting for Part II.

Part I

The first part of the exam is a multiple-choice, objective examination. This exam measures overall competence in the foundation knowledge required to be a successful medical transcriptionist. Test sections and weighting are as follows: Medical Terminology (30%), English Language and Usage (25%), Anatomy & Physiology (20%), Disease Processes (15), Healthcare Record (5%), and Professional Development (5%). The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions in the 6 major content areas listed above. The exam is administered electronically on touch-screen computers. The time allowed for this exam is 3 hours. No reference materials are permitted in the testing center.

Scheduling the Exam

This exam is administered year-round at nationwide testing centers. Exams can be scheduled by calling 1-800-274-8719 or 610-617-9300. Alternatively, information can be obtained from the Medical Transcription Certification Commission (an AAMT organization) by calling 1-800-578-9823. The exam is open to anyone who feels prepared to take it. Self assessment tools are available from AAMT.

Exam Fee

This exam fee for Part I of the CMT is currently $150. The same fee applies to retakes.

Part II

The second part of the CMT exam is a transcription exam. This is a rigorous, competency based exam that tests an applicant's ability to accurately and proficiently transcribe physician dictation. This exam is administered in a controlled setting and requires several years of experience transcribing a broad array of complex medical records. The exam consists of approximately 15 minutes of dictation representing a broad cross section of report types and specialties. Applicants are allowed 2 hours for this portion of the exam. Reference materials, notes, spellcheckers, and abbreviation expanders are permitted.

Scheduling the Exam

This exam is offered several times per year and must be scheduled in advance by calling the Medical Transcription Certification Commission at 1-800-578-9823 or e-mailing them at mtcc@aamt.org. The exam is available for anyone who has successfully passed the Part I exam within the previous two years.

Exam Fee

This exam fee for Part II of the CMT is currently $100 for Members and $150 for Non-Members within the US; $200 for Members and $250 for Non-Members outside of the US. The same fee applies to retakes.

Of course, the best preparation for the CMT exam is a number of years of intensive experience transcribing medical records reports for a hospital or medical transcription service provider. Many graduates of medical transcription training programs elect to sit for Part I of the exam shortly after completing their training - while the foundation material is still fresh in their minds. Part II of the exam, however, requires a significant amount of practical experience.

AAMT also offers a number of self-assessment products that can be purchased in advance of taking the exam. These are essentially simulated tests that allow a prospective candidate to assess whether they are ready to take the actual exam. These practice tests also help prepare a person for the actual exam experience. Self-assessment simulation exams are available for both Part I and Part II and can be purchased on-line at www.aamt.org.

In order to maintain the CMT designation a transcriptionist must continue to demonstrate progress in the field by periodically fulfilling approved continuing education requirements.

AAMT offers an overview of the certification process on it's web site. Go to www.aamt.org and click the "certification" button.