2009 Specialty Credentials

We’ve learned a lot in the year we’ve offered specialized certification. For 2009, we will be implementing a number of improvements to what will be 18 specialty credentials, allowing health care professionals to demonstrate superior levels of expertise in selected disciplines.

Specialty	Credential*	Distance Learning Availability	2009 Exam Availability
Anesthesia	CANC	January 1	January 1
Cardiology	CCC	January 1	January 1
E/M Auditor	CEMC	January 1	January 1
Family Practice	CFPC	January 1	January 1
General Surgery	CGSC	January 1	January 1
Obstetrics/Gynecology	COBGC	January 1	January 1
Orthopaedics	COSC	January 1	January 1
Ambulatory Surgical Center	CASCC	January 20	January 20
Cardiovascular and Thoracic	CCVTC	January 20	January 20
Dermatology	CPCD	January 20	January 20
Emergency Department	CEDC	January 20	January 20
Internal Medicine	CIMC	January 20	January 20
Otolaryngology	CENTC	January 20	January 20
Pediatrics	CPEDC	January 20	January 20
Gastroenterology	CGIC	February 15	February 15
Plastic and Reconstructive	CPRC	February 15	February 15
Rheumatology	CRHC	February 15	February 15
Urology	CUC	February 15	February 15
* Please note the credential name change for 2009

Changes for 2009:

Specialty credentials will be stand-alone certifications with no requirement to hold a CPC®, CPC-H® or CPC-P® credential (please note the name change for credentials listed in the table above).
Exams will more aptly measure preparedness for “real world” coding by being operative/patient-note based.
Exams will be 5 1/2 hours in length.
Exam preparation will be available through online operative/patient-note based distance learning.

Note: Existing specialty certified members will be grandfathered and receive an updated certificate in January 2009.