CMT

The CMT credential is awarded upon successfully passing the AAMT 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

Two years of transcription experience in the acute care (or equivalent) setting is required to take the CMT certification examination. 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 AAMT 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 AAMT at the time of application.

Results

Candidates who successfully pass this exam will become CMTs. They will be notified of their successful achievement and will be sent their CMT certificate, wallet-size card and CMT pin.

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 to AAMT 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. 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. This means the CMT exam must be scheduled and taken within the 90 days covered by the Authorization to Test. If the exam is not completed within that time frame, a new application must be submitted to AAMT.

The registration fee is $195 (US dollars) for AAMT members or $275 for nonmembers. Special offers may be made available from time to time.

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 AAMT 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.