American College of Physician Advisors Certification (ACPA-C)

FAQs

What is ACPA-C?

The exam associated with earning the designation of ACPA-C is engineered to be practical and immediately useful – designed by physician advisors, for physician advisors. It mirrors the topics covered in the American College of Physician Advisors’ Essentials & Fundamentals one-day, in-person course as well as the virtual TLC (The Learning Center) Certification Module bundle.  This exam is really meant to be a way to check your knowledge about the day-to-day skills of a physician advisor.  For example, do you truly understand the basics of the Medicare Two-Midnight Rule? Do you understand what is involved in clinical validity denials and how to effectively appeal them?

What is the value of ACPA-C to me as a physician advisor?

The value of ACPA-C is dependent on your physician advisor career stage. If you haven’t yet started working as a physician advisor, this is a great way to demonstrate to potential employers that you know the basics.  Later in your career, it may be a good way to brush up on your knowledge base.

What is the value of ACPA-C to me as an employer?

ACPA-C means that your physician advisor hires have already been exposed to and tested on topics essential to the day-to-day activities of a physician advisor working in Utilization Review, Clinical Documentation Integrity, and/or Case Mangement.

Is this exam/certification required for employment in a physician advisor role?

No, it is not required. However, as this industry grows, it is likely to become increasingly important to have an outside validation of the essential skills required for this job.

Why should the American College of Physician Advisors (ACPA) be involved in certification?

The physician advisor industry is growing and it's important for ACPA, as the preeminent physician advisor association led and run by physicians, to set the standards of what knowledge and skills are expected to excel in the role.

Why are there so many pathways to certification?

The ACPA wants to give individuals with varying learning styles, different options for exploring the material. The TLC Certification Module bundle gives people the flexibility to learn at home or in the office at their own pace. The one-day, in-person Essentials & Fundamentals course gives participants the ability to absorb the material in-person and ask the faculty questions. For physician advisors who have already been working in the field for a few years, there is also an option to take the test directly, without pre-test preparation.

What is the timeline for completing Certification?

With the purchase of the Test Only pathway, participants will have 3 months from the date of notification of approval to complete up to 3 attempts to pass the test.

With the purchase of the Preparation Course and Exam package, participants will have 6 months from the date of purchase to complete the 13 modules and then 3 months from receiving notification of the completion of the modules to complete up to 3 attempts to pass the test. 

With the purchase of Essentials and Fundamentals, participants will have 3 months from the date of the event to purchase access to the test and complete up to 3 attempts to pass the test.

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