The process to become a CMD is an education and experience model. There is no test for certification.  Candidates for certification must meet eligibility under three steps, each of which includes education and experience qualification requirements.  Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements under each of those options in both areas of experience in practice, and in education to become certified. Eligibility is documented on an application that can be downloaded by clicking here.

 

Step one is general eligibility, step two is clinical eligibility, and step three is management eligibility.  Steps two and three require a candidate to choose the options that are based on whether he/she/they have ABMS/AOA board certifications and any certificates of added qualification; and whether he/she has completed a geriatric fellowship in the past five years.

 

Under step one, general eligibility, the body of knowledge required for certification is found in the “Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Long-Term Care” (the Core).  The Core is divided into two parts, each of which is required.  The first part of the Core is available online, and the second part of the Core takes place at a live meeting over a three-day weekend either in person or virtually online.  Information on upcoming offerings of and registration for the Core can be found on the PALTC website at:  https://apex.paltc.org/page/core-curriculum-on-medical-direction.

 

Under step two, clinical eligibility, candidates will document clinical education and experience requirements. 

 

Under step three, management eligibility, candidates will document management education and experience requirements. 

 

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 even 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. 

 

While not required, membership in AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine provides a discount on the education required in step one and on the application review fee.  Click here to learn more about AMDA membership.

 

If you need additional CME credits to meet step-2 or step-3 education requirements, check with CALTCM or AMDA. You can find out more about the AMDA CME on their website at https://apex.paltc.org. 

 

For questions about CMD certification, please contact the ABPLM Director at cmd@paltc.org or 410-992-3117.