Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA®)
Build your future in medical auditing with the CPMA certification.What is a Certified Professional Medical Auditor?
The CPMA credential validates a professional’s expertise in medical auditing. Earning the CPMA demonstrates proficiency in reviewing medical records, coding accuracy, and documentation practices to ensure compliance with federal regulations and payer policies.
This certification is designed for coders, billers, auditors, and compliance professionals who want to advance their careers by specializing in auditing. CPMA-certified professionals are equipped to conduct internal and external audits, identify coding and documentation risks, and support organizations in maintaining compliance and financial integrity.
Why earn the CPMA certification?
Stand out with a core credential that proves your auditing expertise across specialties and settings
Validate your ability to detect compliance risks, identify improper payments, and recommend corrective action plans
Gain skills to conduct focused audits, evaluate documentation for medical necessity, and navigate federal and payer regulations
Position yourself for advancement in auditing, compliance, revenue integrity, and healthcare administration
What does the CPMA cover?
The CPMA credential proves you are skilled in:
Core auditing principles
Understanding the audit life cycle, from planning and execution to reporting and follow-up
Familiarity with different types of audits: prospective, retrospective, random, and focused
Applying OIG, CMS, and payer-specific guidelines to audit processes
Coding and documentation accuracy
Evaluating medical records for proper code assignment in ICD-10-CM, CPT®, and HCPCS Level II
Reviewing documentation for accuracy, completeness, and support of medical necessity
Identifying undercoding, overcoding, and unbundling issues
Compliance and regulatory requirements
Knowledge of federal regulations including HIPAA, False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, and Stark Law
Understanding payer contracts, claim submission requirements, and NCCI edits
Developing corrective action plans to reduce compliance risks
Risk assessment and reporting
Conducting risk-based audits to identify areas of potential exposure
Preparing audit reports with actionable recommendations
Communicating findings to providers, administrators, and compliance teams
Who should earn the CPMA?
Medical coders and billers ready to move into auditing roles
Auditors and compliance professionals seeking formal validation of their expertise
Revenue integrity specialists responsible for monitoring claims accuracy and payer compliance
Healthcare administrators overseeing compliance, risk management, and audit programs
Experience requirements
Please be aware that the CPMA certification exam is a difficult, high-level examination and is not intended for individuals lacking training or experience. Examinees should have CPMA training and/or experience in auditing physician services, and be well versed in different types of audits, including evaluation and management (E/M).
Not ready yet? We recommend taking our CPMA Training Course.
Maintaining your certifications
To maintain your dual credentials, you must maintain your AAPC annual membership, and earn 40 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
Move up in your career with the CPMA.
Becoming a CPMA-certified professional demonstrates your commitment to compliance, accuracy, and financial integrity in healthcare. This credential highlights your ability to evaluate documentation, identify risk, and ensure organizations are audit-ready. Whether you want to transition into compliance leadership, strengthen your role as an auditor, or expand beyond coding and billing, the CPMA is your pathway to professional advancement.