CCMC

What is the Commission for Case Manager Certification® (CCMC®)?

The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies case managers. The CCMC is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification. The CCMC is positioned as the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the case management industry.

What is the Certified Case Manager (CCM®) Certification?
The CCM is the first nationally accredited case manager credential.

Why should I become a certified case manager?
When you receive the CCM credential, your experience, scope of practice and preparation in the field is officially recognized. Certification tells employers and prospective employers that you have met a high standard of excellence and have proven experience and training.

What is the difference between the CCM and other case manager certifications?
The CCM credential is considered the gold standard of case manager certifications because it is the oldest and most demanding certification in the case management industry. The certification exam is based on ongoing scientific research and practice-based questions are developed by case management subject matter experts who are your peers. The quality of the exam and renewal requirements are rigorously upheld by the Commission and accreditation.

Am I eligible to earn the CCM?
In order to take the CCM exam, you must meet requirements including licensure/certification, employment and moral character. Eligibility requirements are clearly outlined in the Certification Guide.

How much does it cost to become certified?
The CCM application fee is $150 and the fee to take the exam is $175. If you choose to defer your exam to another cycle within your window of eligibility, you will pay a $80 deferral fee. All fees subject to change at any time without prior notification as deemed necessary by the Commission.

What is the process to become certified?
You must meet all eligibility requirements, fill out and submit a complete application, including employer and primary license information, with complete fees. Once your application is approved, you will be notified and assigned an ID number. You may then schedule your exam at a local computer-based testing site. After you take the exam, you will be notified of your test results, and mailed a certificate and letter of certification if you've passed.

If my application is accepted, how should I prepare for the CCM Exam?
The CCM exam is a practice-based exam, meaning all questions are based around knowledge that an experienced case manager should know and understand. The Certification Guide contains a complete list of domain areas that will be included on your exam. A list of suggested references is available on the CCMC website, but it is not meant to be a required reading list, nor should it be considered all-inclusive. You will also find, on other websites, or through other entities, offerings of preparatory classes and materials. However, please note that CCMC does not promote or endorse any programs nor guarantee results.

What type of exam is the CCM Exam?
The CCM exam is a computer based test, comprised of 180 multiple-choice questions, 150 of which are operational, scored items. The remaining 30 are pre-test items, which are not scored.

How many people pass the CCM Exam the first time?
The average pass rate of individuals who are taking the exam for the first time is 70.8%

I need special testing accommodations. Will CCMC help me?
All of the computer-based testing sites operated by Prometric (CCMC's computer based testing contractor) are ADA compliant. Special accommodations must be documented by your physician or other professional familiar with your case and submitted to CCMC. If your accommodations are approved, you will schedule your exam appointment by calling the Prometric special accommodations line.

How long will it take for me to be notified of my results?
Immediately after completing your exam, the computer station at which you are working will display your immediate, preliminary pass/fail score. You will have an option to print the result and take a hard copy with you. This result, while 99% accurate, is considered preliminary until you receive your official score notification via dashboard and U.S. mail.  You may not use the CCM credential until you have been officially notified of your results. CCMC provides exam pass/not pass results on your individual candidate dashboard four (4) weeks after the last exam of the testing window is issued. You will receive a detailed score report if you do not pass or a certificate if you do pass by U.S. mail two (2) weeks after your exam outcome has been posted to your private dashboard.

How do I promote my certification after I pass the exam?
After you have been notified that you've passed the exam, you may begin using the CCM credential after your name. You may provide your employer a copy of your certificate. You may also take advantage of the "Certificant Tool Kit" portion of the CCMC website, which offers employer endorsement letters and press release templates that you may use to promote your achievement.

How often do I have to renew my certification?
Your initial certification is valid for five years, at which point you must renew in order to continue using the credential.

What is the cost to renew my certification?
The fee to renew your certification is $175 and can be paid online by credit card or by check.

What are the renewal requirements?
In order to renew your credential, you must continue to meet all initial eligibility requirements, as well as have completed eighty continuing education credits over the course of your 5-year certification period. You can read more in the Renewal Guide.

Do I have to be a member of a case management organization?
Being a member of a case management membership organization is not a requirement for earning or maintaining your CCM credential.

What products and services does CCMC offer?
CCMC offers a number of resources on its website, as well as a quarterly newsletter containing industry and CCMC news. Stay tuned to our website and newsletter for updates on new products and services.

How many people currently hold the CCM certification?
More than 30,000 individuals currently hold the CCM certification.

What is CCMC's relationship to CMSA?
CCMC is the gold standard credentialing organization for case managers nationwide. CCMC is not affiliated with the Case Management Society of America (CMSA), which is a national membership organization that serves case managers. Please visit CMSA's website for more information on CMSA.

Where can I find CEU providers?
The continuing education provider list on our website is provided by CCMC as a service to its certificants, and is not meant as an endorsement of the programs or services the organizations provide. The list is not an all-inclusive list of providers, and listing does not guarantee that the organization has applied for pre-approval of its continuing education courses, seminars, or conferences. The providers listed have paid a fee to be listed on this web site. There are, however, many other places you can find CEU providers.

Summary: CCMC believes that certification is valuable to case managers and knows from the growing demand for certified case managers that employers acknowledge this value as well. Our goal is to ensure that those who achieve certification possess the education, skills, and experience needed to deliver appropriate services to all they serve.

More questions? Check out our About CCMC page. Also, download and read thoroughly the complete Certification Guide. For more information, please visit the Certification page .