What you need to know about eligibility before you apply for the CCM® Exam – Fast Facts!

Posted on 05/21/2019 - 9:54 AM by Danyelle Burwell, Customer Service Manager

So, you have taken the first step and decided you want to be a board-certified case manager. Great! Next question is, who do you want to be certified by? CCMC! Our credential, the CCM®, was the first case management credential in the industry, launching the inaugural CCM exam in 1992.

In order, to earn the CCM designation, you must first apply to take the CCM exam. You’re probably asking yourself, “Am I eligible to apply?”

The CCM exam has two major application requirements to apply under. The requirements must be met fully at the time the CCM exam application is submitted. We always suggest that you read the Certification Guide before applying.

There are three eligibility requirements for the CCM Exam: 1) Licensure OR Education, 2) Employment Experience, AND 3) Good Moral Character.

For the Licensure or Education, you must hold at least ONE (see options A and B):

Option A: A current, active, and unrestricted licensure or certification in a health or human services discipline.  The license or certification must allow for you to conduct an assessment independently. If you are unsure that your license or certification allows you to practice independently, please contact your state governing board. Some examples of licenses and certifications that meeting this eligibility requirement are: RN, LCSW, LMSW, LPC, CRC and CDMS.

In the application, you will be asked to Apply with your License/Certification or Degree. You must select the License/Certification option if you have a current, active, and unrestricted license or certification in a health or human services discipline that, within its scope of practice, allows you to conduct an assessment independently.

Option B: A Baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work, nursing, or another health or human services field that promotes the physical, psychosocial, and/or vocational well-being of the persons being served. The degree must be from an institution that is fully accredited by a nationally recognized educational accreditation organization, and as part of the education curriculum, include supervised field experience in case management, health, or behavioral health.

For the Employment Experience, you must meet at least ONE (see options 1-2-3):

Option 1: Twelve months (12) months of acceptable full-time case management employment experience in the last five years, supervised by a board-certified case manager (CCM).  Your Supervisor must be certified for at least one year at the time of your application.

Option 2: Twenty-four months (24) months of acceptable full-time case management employment experience in the last five years. (Supervision by a CCM is not required under this category).

Option 3: Twelve months (12) months of acceptable full-time case management employment experience as a supervisor of individuals who provide case management services. This must also fall in the last five years.

Having trouble determining if you’re employment experience qualifies? Well, at least 30% of qualified work time MUST focus primarily on case management practice.

Remember, you MUST perform at least FOUR of The Five Core Components of Case Management (Page 6, Certification Guide). Within each of the four of the five core components, you must:

» Perform ALL Eight Essential Activities with Direct Client Contact (Page 6, Certification Guide)

» Provide services across a continuum of care, beyond a single episode of care that addresses the ongoing needs of the individual being served

» Be responsible for interacting with other relevant parties within the client’s healthcare system

In regards, to “Good Moral Character,” please, review the questions listed on page 7 of the Certification Guide. Case management is a professional, collaborative and inter-disciplinary practice. Board certification indicates that the professional case manager possesses the education, skills, moral character, and experience required to render appropriate services based on sound principles of practice.

If you meet these requirements, you are now ready to apply! As always, if you have any questions, our Customer Service team is ready to help. You can reach us at 856-380-6836. 

Tags
Board Certification
Professional Case Manager

Comments

Unfortunately, The Commission does not accept CHES as an eligible certification. In order to qualify, you must have a license/certification or a degree (bachelors or higher), in health or human services, in addition to case management employment experience. For more information, please review the Certification Guide (https://ccmcertification.org/sites/default/files/docs/2018/ccmc-17-guid…).

I have been a registered nurse for 21+ years with an associate degree in nursing. I have, and continue to work part-time as a case manager in home health and full-time doing wellness visits for Medicare patients for a large practice. I am wanting to increase my knowledge & certifications. Would I qualify for this exam?

Hi Wendy,
Thank you for reaching out. Please review the Certification Guide (https://ccmcertification.org/sites/default/files/docs/2018/ccmc-17-guid…) for more information in regards to eligibility. In order to qualify, you must have a license/certification or a degree (bachelors or higher), in health or human services, in addition to case management employment experience. If eligible, you will need to apply with your license, not your associates. In regards to employment, please verify that your position performs all "The Eight Essential Activities with Direct Client Contact" and you must perform at least four of the "Five Core Components of Case Management.

I have a Bachelor degree in General Studies and a minor in Child & Family Studies. I was short just a few hours from a Child & Family Studies degree with a concentration in Family Studies. I work at a mental health urgent care center and am applying to graduate programs for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Would I qualify to become certified as a case manager?

Unfortunately, The Commission does not accept degrees in general studies, however, we will accept a Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling.

Hi! Could I become employed as a case manager with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology?

In regards to becoming employed as a case manager, employment will be determined by the employer, as each case management job is different.

Can a registered pharmacist become CCM certified?

Registered Pharmacists are eligible to take the CCM exam, as long as they meet our employment qualifications. In regards to employment, please verify that your position performs all "The Eight Essential Activities with Direct Client Contact" and you must perform at least four of the "Five Core Components of Case Management."

I’m certified pharmacy technician and I work for Walgreens in the hospital, we have a meds to bed program would I be qualified to become case manager.

Unfortunately, The Commission does not accept Certified Pharmacy Technicians. In order to qualify, you must have a license/certification or a degree (bachelors or higher), in health or human services, in addition to case management employment experience. For more information, please review the Certification Guide. (https://ccmcertification.org/sites/default/files/docs/2018/ccmc-17-guid…)

Hello:
I am a Cuban doctor 8 years ago, I have my title with me, I would like to know if I can qualify for certification. Thanks.

In reply to by Liliet Valverde

In order to qualify for the CCM certification, you must have a license/certification or a degree (bachelors or higher), in health or human services, in addition to case management employment experience. Your employment experience and license/certification and/or degree must be obtained in the United States. If you have employment experience in the US, please verify that in your position you perform all "The Eight Essential Activities with Direct Client Contact" and you must perform at least four of the "Five Core Components of Case Management. These can be found in our Certification Guide. In regards to your foreign medical degree, please, complete a degree equivalency report upon applying. You may use websites such as https://www.wes.org/tools/degree-equivalency/, https://www.ierf.org/ and https://www.fis-web.com/.

I am a licensed RN and have approximately 3.5 years of full time experience as a case manager in the home health and hospice field. I am not currently working in that setting but the bulk of my case management experience has been within the last 5 years. Am I eligible to apply to take the exam at this time?
Thank you for your assistance

CCMC requires that your employment experience must be obtained within the past 5 years. It is not required that you currently work in the case management field. Also, please, remember that your license must be active and unrestricted. Please make sure to review the Certification Guide (https://ccmcertification.org/sites/default/files/docs/2018/ccmc-17-guid…) for more information about eligibility.

Hello,

I have been employed by the State of Texas for four years as a Family and Child caseworker, I also have a BSW. Will i be able to apply. I feel that i know the answer, just want clarification.

In reply to by Tatyania Broussard

Hi Tatyania,
Thank you for reaching out. Please review the Certification Guide (https://ccmcertification.org/sites/default/files/docs/2018/ccmc-17-guid…) for more information in regards to eligibility. In order to qualify, you must have a license/certification or a degree (bachelors or higher), in health or human services, in addition to case management employment experience. A bachelors degree in Social Work will qualify. In regards to employment, please remember your position must perform all "The Eight Essential Activities with Direct Client Contact" and you must perform at least four of the "Five Core Components of Case Management.

Hello

I am a clinical reviewer for oncology/hematology and do case management work. I am also a certified pharmacy technician. Does the this certificate meet the criteria for licenses obtained?

Thanks

Hello,
I have a bachelors degree in Biology and I am a teacher. Do I qualify to take the CCM certification?

I currently am QMHP-A certified does this qualify?

I am a LMSW who has worked for over 24 months (combined)in 2 MLTC (Managed Long Term Care) agencies, will I qualify to apply to take the CCM exam?

I have an ASN in nursing and have been practicing for 8yrs as Labor and Delivery and Nursery nurse. I am looking to change to case management, any advice on steps to achieve that would be really appreciated.

Hello, I'm a RN and I work as a clinical reviewer, specifically utilization management. I've done this for the last 3 years. Does my work experience qualify me to apply for the certification?

I have been working as a Medical Case Manager for 12 years in Ryan White Program would I be eligible for certification for Case Manager

Hi I have an MEd in applied behavior analysis and I'm also a registered behavior therapist. I worked under a BCBA for almost 2 years. Does that qualify me to take the exam?

I am interested in case management. I have been a supervisor for RN's and have recently returned to bedside nursing again. I have my BSN, but my studies were all completed outside the USA.
What would I have to do to be able to qualify to sit for the Case Managers credentialing exam?
I feel that bedside nursing is not for me at this time of my life as I am older than most of the nurses I work with, and physically it is very hard for me.
Can you please provide me with information. Thank you

Hello, I have my undergrad degree in Social Psychology and a graduate degree in Human Service Counseling. I have been working for the last year in a non-profit Medicaid provider. Would I qualify to take the CCM?

I have been a registered respiratory therapist for 20 years. working in hospitals, LTACs,and homecare. Would I be eligible to take the CCM exam

Hi! I am a registered respiratory therapist. Do I qualify?

I’ve been a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant working in case management for 3 years. I will be graduating from University of Arlington with my Bachelors Degree in Public Health. I will like to knowing this will qualify me with CCM certification, since this is Public Health?

I have a MS degree in leadership, Certificate in drug and alcohol, Licensed Nurse,been in the field of mental heath for over four years and a Clinician at a facility. Do I qualify to take the CCM certification exam?

I have an associates degree in nursing and have been working as an RN case manager for 4 years. Do I need a BSN to take the CCM exam ?

I am a physical therapist and have practiced for 21 years in all settings. Would I be qualified to take the exam. I work in home health and have to manage my own cases all the time.

I am a teacher with a Master's degree in Elementary and Special Education. What do I need to do in order to qualify?

I’m an RN with Clinical reimbursement experience. Also worked as Director of Nursing and supervised Case Managers. will l qualify to take CCM exam

Hello,
I meet the educational requirements with a BA in Sociology, but not field work experience. My Masters is in Educational Ministries, with two supervised work experiences. I would venture to say these do not qualify, as it were for Bible teaching. I've worked 7 years as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and believe my job duties would qualify. But, I thought I would ask for clarification just in case for these two items?

Hi, I have been a RN for several yrs and completed my BSN recently although I have experience in case managing for about 2 -3 yrs Homecare. I would like to know the difference between a CCM vs a ACM-RN ?

I have 4.5 years of case management experience and I do not have a BSN. I plan on getting my BSN this year. Could I still qualify?

Hello. I have an associates degree in psychology. I have been turned down at most places because i don't have at least a Bachelors degree. How does one become a case manager in the first place? I really want to be certified so how do I go about getting started? Thank you

I have a BAT- Healthcare focusing as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Do I qualify to take this exam?

Hello,
I have worked as a case manager in the hospital setting and community setting full time for the past 8 years. I recently (May 2019) accepted a position as an auditor of case managers. My previous positions meet the criteria of member/patient contact. My current position as an auditor does not require member/patient contact. Am I still eligible to apply for CCM?

Thank you!

I have been a RN with a Master's for over 30 years acute setting, Med/Surg, administration.  I wish to transition to case manangement.  How can that be accomplisihed.  WIthin the hosptital setting they want experience and certification, but you can't get certification without the expereince.   

i am a registered nurse for ten years now doing bedside care in a hospital. Am interested in switching career to case management. How do I go about it in getting certified ?

I am an RN with ~9 months case management in home health supervised by someone with CCM then 1 year 10 months providing care coordination, not supervised by CCM. Is this an acceptable amount of experience since I was doing care coordination, not other aspects of case management?

I am a registered nurse with an associate degree. I am qualified to get this certification? If so How to apply for it. Thank you.

I am an RN who has been working 32 hours weekly as Care manager under the supervision of a Nurse practicioner who has taken Care management courses and is eligible to bill for care managmement services. How long must I work before I am eligible to apply for certification? Is there a conversion formula for 32 hours to full time hours? Thank You.

I'm an rn/bsn that currently works as clinical nurse liaison. I have been in the role for over 5 years and perform a multitude of tasks ranging from obtaining insurance authorization for skilled nursing, assessing patient needs related to equipment or the type of care/therapy needed. Does my work experience meet the requirements to sit for the exam?

Hello,

Would a B.S. in Healthcare Management meet the degree requirements for CCM?

Thank You,

Tracy

I have my Master's Degree in Gerontology and have several years experience as a Social Services Director in LTC.  Would I qualify for the exam and thus go forward?  My cirriculum did not include the experience, however, I got the experience following the degree.

 hello

I’m currently a case manger assistant and have been for 4 years I have a certification in human services, will I be able to take the case manger exam