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

Submitted by Renee Poling on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 20:34

Hello. I have a BSN and have been working as a Director of nursing. Would this meet the requirements needed for be able to get certified as a case manager. Thank you.

Submitted by Rafaela Mullis on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 10:35

i retired years ago but want to go back to work doing something I like, in my vast time and experience often I did duties of CCM but it was an undeveloped area at that time, I have even helped CCMs to develop resources, I would like to take the cert exam and have even done some CCM courses. But, because of my age,no one is going to hire me for any CCM area if I don't have cert already, they are not going to want to OJT me. I have maintained my RN licensure and have been RN since 72....any suggestions

Submitted by MichelleB on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 15:09

I am an RN and have worked part time for the past 9 years in home healthcare, case managing and providing direct care to skilled care patients. Would I be eligible to take the exam?

Submitted by Sherie on Sat, 11/02/2019 - 09:20

I am LVN/workers' comp nurse case manager (+5yrs). Would I qualify if I had bachelors in Health Administration?

Hi Sherie,
Unfortunately, we do not accept the LVN licenses as it does not allow the individual to practice independently, although the LVN experience can be used. Please be sure to view page 5: section 5 of the Certification Guide for more information in regards to eligibility for the 1-2 year requirement. We will not be able to tell you if your work experience qualifies, we recommend that you ensure 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 stated in the certification guide. https://ccmcertification.org/get-certified/certification/guides

Your bachelor's in Health Administration would qualify.

Submitted by Crystal DeGreef on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 16:08

Hi, I am currently precepting under a CCM. When the time comes to apply for the test, what kind of documentation does my boss need to submit to fulfill the 12 months working under a CCM requirement?

Hi Crystal,
Your supervisor would need to be a CCM for the full 12 months of employment, the only thing you as the employee need to do is add the supervisors First/Last name and email address to the employment section. Once the application has been submitted, your supervisor will be contacted for verification.

Submitted by LaSonya Johnson on Fri, 12/06/2019 - 23:04

I have a BS in Human Services. I have been a Case Manager for almost a year. Would I qualify? I would love to sit for the CCM Exam, if I do qualify.

Hi LaSonya,
In order to be eligible, your current title does not have to be "Case Manager." You will just be required to submit employment experience in case management of 12 months or 24 months within the previous 5 years. Please review page 5: section 5 of the Certification Guide for more information in regards to eligibility for the 1-2 year requirement. We will not be able to tell you if your work experience qualifies, we recommend that you ensure 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 stated in the certification guide.

In addition, you must have a license/certification or a degree (bachelors or higher), in health or human services. Your BS would qualify.

https://ccmcertification.org/get-certified/certification/guides 

Submitted by Rachel Blow on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 00:15

I have been a hospice registered nurse case manager for the past 2 years, full time. Am I eligible to take this exam? 

Submitted by Kathryn Anderson on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 17:45

I don't have a certified case manager at my job, can I pay someone with the certification to supervise me? I am an MSW case manager at a mental health hospital.

 

 

Submitted by Latoya on Wed, 01/15/2020 - 12:38

I have a MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management. I've been working as a case manager coordinator for the past 6 years. Do I qualify to take the CCM Exam?

Submitted by Andrea on Wed, 01/22/2020 - 20:16

I'm a Radiology Technologist would I be eligible to pursue getting CCM?

Submitted by Leila Abdulrahim on Thu, 01/30/2020 - 13:14

I'm an RN with working experience of CM for over 19 years in different setting.

I would like to optain ccmc,how can I apply?

thanks

Submitted by HeatherLPN 0719 on Fri, 01/31/2020 - 18:06

I am an LPN currently working in case management and am pursuing a bachelors degree in Health Services Coordination at WGU. After completing my program,I will have worked in case management for 3 years. Will I be eligible to sit for certification upon completion of my program? 

Submitted by Hector Franco on Mon, 02/03/2020 - 11:52

I've been a Depertment of Defense, DOD, Recovery Care Coordinator for the last 11 Years. Prior to that I was an Army Medic for 28 years. I'm also a Board Certified Patient Advocate and an Active DOD Advocate with a case load. I have an MBA with a Healthcare Administration Certificate from Devry University. Do I qualify to take the examination?

Submitted by Janet McBride-Roy on Thu, 02/06/2020 - 08:52

I am considering applying to take the CCMC exam.  I have a BA from an accredited college.  I am also a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Therapist and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. I have over 20 years of experience as a case manager.  I am most intersted to know if my education and certifications meets the criteria.

Thanks,

Submitted by Monique randolph on Wed, 02/12/2020 - 19:00

I am a certfied addition case manager working in a hospital for the past 5 years. Do I qualify to take the CCM certification?

Submitted by Samantha Herrell on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 13:13

Are Pharmacy Technicians Eligble? I have been working in a population health clincally intergrated network for 2+ years and currently am over the pharmacy department works with medication adherence and other case management.

Submitted by ecanady on Mon, 02/24/2020 - 22:14

Hello,

I am a Social Worker in a skilled nursing facility, can I take the CCM exam? 
 

 

Submitted by Jeremy Culberson on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 11:57

I am a MHRT-C on Maine. I have 2+ years exp as a case manager being supervised by LCSW/LCPC CCS. Also 7 years exp as residential coordinator being supervised by LCSW. Would I be elligible?

Submitted by Madelene on Thu, 04/09/2020 - 13:07

Hi I am an RN charge nurse at a skilled nursing facility for a year and was wondering if that is considered a case management experience? I do have pending masters degree that I am finishing on, just working on thesis and im done. We do overall management of the clients every weekends in SNF as there is no management during those times. I work friday, saturday and sunday. I will be waiting for your response.Thanks

Submitted by Rea Ricafort on Tue, 04/14/2020 - 20:09

I have been a case manager in a hospital since March 2015. However, I have only been a part time worker and started perdiem last August 2019 because of kids. During this pandemic, unfortunately I am being flexed off due to census. I thought about getting my certification as case manager during this time but not sure if my accumulated worked hours within the last 5 years as a case manager would be sufficient. I appreciate all the help and info. 
Thank you, Rea Ricafort 310-497-8055

 

 

Submitted by Stephanie Gray on Wed, 01/12/2022 - 22:46

Hi, I have a bachelor degree in Healthcare adminstration and currently work for my local  government Aging and Disability Agency as a Case Manager. Will I qualify to sit for exam. 

Hi Stephanie, 

Thank you for reaching out! Yes, a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare administration would meet the education requirements. If you meet all of the criteria described in the Certification Guide, please consider applying for the exam. To view a schedule of exams for the year, please visit our Exam Application Schedule and Notification Timeline located here https://ccmcertification.org/get-certified/certification/exam-applicati…. 

Submitted by Shayla Yeung on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 17:33

 

I hold an associate of arts and a bachelor of science in Dental hygiene from The University of Texas Health Science Center - at Houston. 
Can I apply for a CCM certification after working as a case manager under a licensed nurse for a year? 
 

Thank you
 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by mlabbree on Fri, 03/25/2022 - 15:36

Thank you for contacting the Commission. The Certification Guide (https://ccmcertification.org/sites/default/files/ccmc-19-guide-certific…) is the best place to start for information on applying for the CCM exam because it details eligibility and fees with regard to the exam. However, a bachelor of science in Dental hygiene would qualify for the education requirement. Please note that you would also need to meet the employment requirement as well. Employment experience requirements must be fully satisfied at the time the application is SUBMITTED and completed within the last years 5 years. To be eligible for the CCM Exam, you can apply using one of these categories:

 
Category 1: 12 months of acceptable full-time case management employment experience supervised by a board-certified case manager (CCM®) who has been certified for at least 12 months. Supervision is defined as the systematic and periodic evaluation of the quality of the delivery of the applicant’s case management services.
     OR
Category 2: 24 months of acceptable full-time case management employment experience. (Supervision by a CCM is not required under this category).
OR
Category 3: 12 months of acceptable full-time case management employment experience as a supervisor of individuals who provide case management services.  

 

Thank you!