Journey to Certification
Candidates for certification must meet eligibility under three steps, each of which includes education and experience qualification requirements.
Certification Elements:
- ACGME residency/fellowship
- State medical license in good standing
- Completion of the Core Curriculum on Medical Direction within the past 5 years
- Between 2-4 years of experience as a clinician in PALTC within the past 5 years
- Between 2-3 years of experience as a Medical Director in PALTC within the past 5 years
- Clinical education relevant to PALTC (see below)
- Management and leadership education relevant to PALTC (see below)
Note: there is no test for certification.
The body of knowledge required for certification is found in the Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in PALTC (the Core). The Core is divided into two parts, each of which is required.
Part 1: Online Core Curriculum on Medical Direction - covers 22 critical areas impacting PALTC leadership and management.
Part 2: Core Synthesis - comprised of dynamic lectures, spirited role plays, case-based discussion, and small group breakouts.
Step Two: Clinical Eligibility
Option 1
If you are currently board-certified from ABMS or the AOA in Geriatrics or Hospice and Palliative Care:
No additional CME is required above the Core Curriculum.
Option 2
If you are currently board-certified from ABMS or the AOA but not in either Geriatrics or Hospice and Palliative Care:
You will need 60 clinical CME credits earned within the past three years.
Option 3
If you are not currently board-certified from ABMS or the AOA:
You will need 75 clinical CME credits earned within the past three years.
Step 3: Management Eligibility
Option 1
If you are currently board certified from ABMS or the AOA and have completed a Fellowship within the past 5-years in Geriatrics or Hospice and Palliative Care:
No additional CME is required above the Core Curriculum required in Step-One.
Option 2
If you are currently board certified from ABMS or the AOA but have not completed a Fellowship within the past 5 years in Geriatrics or Hospice and Palliative Care:
You will need 14 management CME credits earned within the past 5 years.
Additional Information
While candidates must meet the clinical experience and medical director experience for CMD certification, CMD applications may be submitted for consideration of a letter of education eligibility before the years of medical director experience are completed. The one-time application review fee will be held with a pending application for up to 5-years.
Application deadlines are April 1, and October 1 of each year. Candidates who meet education eligibility will be awarded the education eligibility letter which will be valid for up to five years as the candidate works to complete employment eligibility requirements.
In need of additional education to meet steps 2 and 3? Check out AMDA's continuing education.