Before I tell you about the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT), let me clarify a doubt that many aspiring and new transcriptionists have. The certificate awarded on completion of the medical transcription training does not make you a CMT. Now, let’s see who or what the CMT is.

CMT is a credential offered by the Association of Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). AHDI awards this credential recognizing your expertise in the field. You have to take a test to become a CMT. Anyone who has two years of medical transcription experience in acute care is eligible to take the test. If you are wondering what acute care is, here’s the definition from AHDI:

(Source) …hospital-based dictation comprised of a variety of dictators (including ESL), and multiple report types and specialties, primarily operative reports, consultations, discharge summaries, and history and physicals.

The CMT test lasts for five hours, and you get to know how you fared as soon as you complete the test. You are given a report containing detailed feedback on your performance, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses. If you don’t pass the test, you can take it again after six months.

Currently, you need to pay 275 dollars (USD) to take the test. If, however, you are an AHDI member, you have to pay only 195 dollars.

Once you are awarded the CMT credential, it stays with you for three years. You have to take another test to renew it after that.

You don’t have to be a CMT to prove your merit in the medical transcription industry, but the recognition from AHDI definitely helps.