CMPM® FAQs

What is DoctorsManagement University and NORMeducation.org?

DoctorsManagement University (DMU) (www.dmuniversity.net) is an innovative and dynamic organization with a mission to deliver educational opportunities suitable for clinical and administrative professionals and staff in the pursuit of fast, cost effective, and comprehensive practice management training. Because business education is often not a part of the curriculum for healthcare providers and staff, DMU’s programs offer a way to bridge that gap through convenient, self-paced, and affordable internet-based classes. Our online training programs and other products focus on the essentials of medical practice management success, including: growing profitability, managing risk, practice operations, information technology, and positioning for future growth. The parent company of DMU is DoctorsManagement, LLC, headquartered in Knoxville, TN. The National Organization of Rheumatology Managers (NORM) through NORMeducation.org has partnered with DMU to further advance education, expertise and advocacy for it's membership online education.

What specifically can NORMeducation.org and DMU offer me in medical practice management education?

Through NORM's own expertise and teaming up with DMU it offers practice management certification programs as well as a- la-carte learning opportunities and products to advance current and aspiring medical practice managers, staff members, medical residents and fellows, providers and others in the "Business of Rheumatology Medicine."

The current cornerstone of the educational pathway is the Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM®) program. It is a self-paced, internet-based training format which consists of twenty-one educational sessions and CMPM® Exam. All of which when completed in the convenience of your home or office, lead to the designation of Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM®).

Additionally, the Certified Rheumatology Management Specialist program is an educational pathway that leads to the designation of "Certified Rheumatology Management Specialist" (CRMS™). This professional learning opportunity specifically focuses on Rheumatology practice management, and is open to those who have earned the CMPM or other practice manager, administrator, or executive designation from recognized organizations such as MGMA, PAHCOM, or AAPC.

NORMeducation.org and DMU will continue to grow as versatile platforms to meet the educational needs of persons with a need to know about the “Business of Medicine.”

Will I receive a confirmation of any purchase I make from DMU or NORMeducation.org?

Yes, after we receive your purchase order for online classes or materials, you will be sent a confirmation receipt within minutes that lets you know your order was received. If a purchase involves a secured item, such as educational presentations, CMPM Certification Program, etc., as appropriate, separate emails will be sent to you with your purchase information and unique Login Password.

Who teaches the CMPM curriculum?

The comprehensive curriculum incorporates the experience and knowledge of healthcare industry experts from DoctorsManagement, national healthcare corporations and other professionals with extensive careers in their perspective fields of expertise.

How do I earn and maintain my CMPM® certification?

The self-paced CMPM online program is challenging, yet convenient, allowing you to prepare in the convenience of your home or office and at your own pace.

Here is how to get started:

Step 1 – Purchase your online training. You will receive an email receipt of your purchase and a unique Login Password.

Step 2 - Prepare for the CMPM Certification Exam. Complete the self-paced CMPM educational presentations on-line here at NORMeducation.org. This comprehensive training consists of 21 video and PowerPoint presentations. You have access to the educational presentations for 180 days from the first time you sign-in to your account. Spend a few minutes here and there or sit down and complete the whole course...the choice is yours! The content is specifically designed to cover the topics you need to know to successfully pass the CMPM Exam. Each presentation has handouts that show the PowerPoint presentation slides along with space for notes. Both the CMPM presentations and PowerPoint handouts are available at a secured site. You will need your email address and unique password (provided upon purchase) to access your training, then simply click the "Login" button in the upper right-hand corner of the navigation bar. 

Step 3 - Complete the on-line CMPM® Certification Exam. When you are satisfied with your review of all the selfpaced presentations and handouts, you may begin the CMPM Certification Exam.

The Exam is 105 multiple choice questions. A 80% accuracy rate is required to pass the Exam (84 correctly answered questions). You have 180 days from the time you first sign-in to your account to watch the presentations and take the exam. Your two attempts at passing the exam must both fall within the 180 days. There is a two (2) hour limit to take the Exam. The questions are in no specific order. You will receive your Exam results immediately upon its submission. No waiting for days to know! When a passing score is attained, a Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM) Certificate with a gold embossed CMPM medallion will be mailed to you. Good luck!

Maintaining Your CMPM® Certification Recipients of the CMPM designation must remain a NORM Member in good standing, satisfy your CMPM Annual Maintenance Fee (waived for NORM Members as a member benefit -- no action required); and a minimum of 40 continuing education contact hours must be attained every two years. A CEU Tracker is available for your convenience to log your contact hours.

Can I earn the CMPM certification by successfully passing the Exam without the benefit of the educational presentations?

You may challenge the Exam. This is an individual decision and there is no guarantee of passing the Exam (not recommended). Moreover, a NORM Membership is still required and you must maintain all CMPM requirements to keep the designation current. The Exam is not sold separately. 

What can I do with the CMPM® credential?

Many professional opportunities desire or require certification in a particular field. When you pass the CMPM Exam, you earn the designation of “Certified Medical Practice Manager.” It is a professional credential that attests to employers, colleagues, and the general public that you have gone the extra mile to demonstrate your commitment to a body of knowledge and experience necessary to be or possesses the knowledge of a competent medical practice management professional.

Are there annual fees to maintain my CMPM® certification?

Persons who have earned the CMPM® certification must satisfy the CMPM Annual Maintenance Fee. However, this fee is waived for NORM Members as a member benefit -- no action required.

Is continuing education required to maintain my CMPM® certification?

Yes, a total of forty (40) continuing educational contact hours must be documented every two years from the date you pass the online CMPM Exam.

How do I document my continuing education contact hours?

Each CMPM recipient is provided access to a personal CEU Tracker. You gain access to the Tracker by logging into the same “My Account” you accessed for the training curriculum. It is here you will document all continuing education contact hours to satisfy this Certified Medical Practice Manager certification requirement.

What are Continuing Education Contact hours?

Credit is given for any minimum 15-minute increment of time spent in educating yourself in the medical practice management body-of-knowledge. The topic must be applicable to medical practice management. Any educational source and associated contact hour(s) can only be documented for credit one time. One (1) hour of education is equivalent to one (1) Continuing Education Contact Hour. Education may be drawn from seminars, webinars, conferences, meetings, publications, class room instruction, etc. 

Are there study materials that come with the educational presentations and complete CMPM® certification program?

Yes, handouts of the PowerPoint presentation(s) PDF format is provided. Each set of handouts has space for note taking. You can use the handouts along with your notes as reference materials to study the material.

How do I access the educational presentations and CMPM® Exam?

You will receive by email a username (an email address provided by you at registration) and a unique password. Click the "Login" button at the top right-hand corner of most any NORMeducation.org webpage. You will be prompted to enter your username and password to access the site (My Account).

How long does it take to complete the CMPM® curriculum and attempt the online Exam?

The online program is self-paced and can be taken at your convenience. The presentations can be viewed in about 15 hours if you view them nonstop, though not recommended. The exam consists of 105 multiple choice questions. Students have a maximum of two (2) hours to complete the exam. The questions are in no specific order.

How long do I have access to the educational presentations and Exam?

You have 180 days from the time you first sign-in to your account to watch the presentations and take the exam. Your two attempts at passing the exam must both fall within the 180 days.

How do I access the CEU Tracker?

The CEU Tracker is on a secured site. Go to "Login" in the upper right corner of this page to sign-in; you will gain access to your "My Account" where the CEU Tracker is located. Continue to access your “My Account” in the future by using your same username and password. You have access to the CEU Tracker, despite the expiration of your access to any training curriculum or Exam.

Am I able to tell when I’m getting close to the expiration date for accessing the educational presentations and/or Exam?

Yes, after logging in both the educational presentations and exam landing page shows your date of expiration. No additional notices are provided.

Once I start the online Exam, do I have to complete it in one sitting?

Yes, students have a maximum of two (2) hours to complete the exam.

How many times can I take the CMPM® Exam?

A student may attempt the Exam a maximum of two (2) times during a 180 day period, measured from the date you first sign-in to your account.

When will I know if I pass the Exam?

Students who complete the Exam will instantly be shown their score once the Exam is submitted.

Will I know which questions I missed on the Exam?

No, but once you submit the completed exam you will instantly learn your score.

What is a passing score for the CMPM® Exam?

The Exam is 105 multiple choice questions. A 80% accuracy rate is required to pass the Exam (84 correctly answered questions).

Will I receive CEUs?

All educational presentations are eligible for approval for continuing education units (CEUs) by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Managers (PAHCOM) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Check with these and other organizations of choice for credit availability for viewing educational recordings.

Once I pass the CMPM® Exam then what happens?

You will receive your Exam results immediately upon its submission online. No waiting for days to know! When a passing score is attained, a CMPM Certificate with a gold embossed CMPM medallion will be mailed to you. You will be on file with NORM as a Certified Medical Practice Manager (CMPM®). Recipients of the CMPM designation must remain a NORM Member in good standing, satisfy the CMPM Annual Maintenance Fee (waived for NORM Members as a member benefit -- no action required), and complete a minimum of 40 continuing education contact hours every two years. A CEU Tracker is available for your convenience to log your contact hours.