CRMS™ FAQ

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 (CRMS)™ 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 NORMeducation.org or DMU?

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, CRMS Certification Program, or CRMS Exam, etc., as appropriate, separate emails will be sent to you with your purchase information and unique Login Password.

Who teaches the CRMS curriculum?

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

How do I earn and maintain my CRMS™ certification?

The self-paced CRMS on-line 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 – Satisfy the Prerequisites. This professional learning opportunity specifically focuses on rheumatology practice management and is open to NORM Members who have earned the CMPM or other practice manager, administrator, or executive designation from recognized organizations such as MGMA, PAHCOM or AAPC and have completed a minimum of three years of experience as a rheumatology practice manager.

You will need to upload the certificate you earned when you completed your CMPM or other practice manager, administrator, or executive designation. You may upload to the CEU tracker on this site. Your CRMS certificate will not be mailed and you may not use the designation until this step is complete.

You are encouraged to contact the CRMS Coordinator at 910-520-0515 for more information.

Step 2 – Purchase your online training. Once you are eligiable to set for the training and exam, purchase your on-line training course. You will receive an email receipt of your purchase and a unique password for logging into your account.

Step 3 - Prepare for the CRMS™ Certification Exam. Complete the self-paced CRMS educational presentations on-line here at NORMeducation.org. This comprehensive training consists of ten (10) modules. 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 CRMS Exam. Each presentation has handouts that show the PowerPoint presentation slides along with space for notes. Both the CRMS 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 4 - Complete the on-line CRMS™ Certification Exam. When you are satisfied with your review of all or any portion of the selfpaced presentations and handouts, you may begin the CRMS Certification Exam. 

The Exam is 100 multiple choice questions. A 80% accuracy rate is required to pass the Exam (80 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 hour (2) time 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 CRMS Certification Certificate with a gold embossed CRMS medallion will be mailed to you. Remember we need your CMPM or other designation certificate before we will mail your CRMS certificate. Good luck!

Maintaining Your CRMS™ Certification At this point we do ont have a process for maintaining if you are not a NORM Member due tot he requirements of NORM Live training. This may change in the future if we change our membership structure. Total CEU requirement is 40 hours every two years with 15 of those hours coming from a NORM Live event. Hours must come from approved list. A CEU Tracker is available for your convenience to log your contact hours.

Can I earn the CRMS 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 CRMS requirements to keep the designation current. The Exam is not sold separately. 

What can I do with the CRMS™ credential?

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 attests to your competence beyond general practice management knowledge to one that is focused on rheumatology practice needs. This program is open to those who have earned the CMPM or other practice manager, administrator, executive designation from recognized organizations such as MGMA, PAHCOM or AAPC and have completed a minimum of three years of experience as a rheumatology practice manager.

Are there annual fees to maintain my CRMS™ certification?

Persons who have earned the CRMS certification must satisfy the CRMS™ 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 CRMS™ certification?

Total Continuing Education requirement is 40 hours every two years with 15 of those hours coming from a NORM Live event. Hours must be documented every year from the date your pass the online CRMS Exam.  The contact hours must be rheumatology specific, either administrative or clinical.

Each items must be at least one (1) hour. A webinar scheduled for less than one hour will not count. Each learning must be live - watching a replay of webinar is not acceptable.

Hours must come from approved list. 

How do I document my continuing education contact hours?

Each CRMS 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 Rheumatology Management Specialist certification requirement.

What are Continuing Education Contact hours?

Credit is given for any one 1 (hour) of live learning on medical practice management body-of-knowledge. The topic must be specific to rheumatology medical practice management.  One (1) hour of education is equivalent to one (1) Continuing Education Contact Hour.

Education may be drawn from seminars, webinars, conferences, and meetings. Watching a replay of a webinar does not apply.

Credit must be earned from approved sources. If the source is not approved, you may appeal to the certification committee. Email info@normgroup.org with information about the session. 

Are there study materials that come with the educational presentations and complete CRMS™ 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 CRMS 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 CRMS™ 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 5 hours if you view them nonstop, though not recommended. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions. The length of time it takes to complete the exam depends entirely on how long it takes the student to answer the questions and how well he or she knows the material. A maximum of 2 hours is allowed 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. There is a one and a half (1.5) hour time limit to take the Exam. 

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, the Exam must be completed in one sitting within 2 hours.

How many times can I take the CRMS™ 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 CRMS™ Exam?

The Exam is 100 multiple choice questions. A 80% accuracy rate is required to pass the Exam (80 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 CRMS™ 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 CRMS Certificate with a gold embossed CRMS medallion will be mailed to you. You will be on file with NORM as a Certified Rheumatology Management Specialist (CRMS™). Recipients of the CRMS designation must remain a NORM Member in good standing, satisfy the CRMS Annual Maintenance Fee (waived for NORM Members as a member benefit -- no action required), and annually document 15 hours of continuing education. A CEU Tracker is available for your convenience to log your contact hours.