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ACM Certification Exam

A Certification for Health Delivery System Case Management and Transitions of Care Professionals.

The ACM Certification was created by ACMA in 2005, and is designed specifically for health delivery system and transitions of care (TOC) case management professionals. It is one program with two different credentials: ACM-RN and ACM-SW.



    This certification is unique among Case Management certifications because the examination:
    • Specifically addresses Case Management in health delivery system settings
    • Tests core Case Management knowledge that is shared by Nurse and Social Work Case Managers, as well as competency in the individual skills of each professional background
    • Utilizes clinical simulation testing methodology to test “competency beyond knowledge” – testing critical thinking skills and the ability to use knowledge in practical situations.

    The exam consists of two components. The first contains core case management questions that test the knowledge skills and abilities of registered nurse or social work Case Managers working in a hospital/health system. The second component is comprised of discipline specific clinical simulations. This discipline specific testing method reflects ACMA’s respect for the different roles practiced by registered nurse and social work case managers. Those who meet eligibility requirements and achieve the required passing scores will be awarded the designation of Accredited Case Manager (ACM-RN or ACM-SW) credential.

    ACMA Position Statement

    Nurses and Social Workers with 36 months of health delivery system experience should have their Accredited Case Manager credential, ACM, to practice Health Delivery System Case Management. ACM exam eligibility requires a minimum of twelve (12) months of Health System Case Management experience.

    Approved on December 2, 2016

    Who can take the ACM Certification examination?

    The ACM Certification examination is available to registered nurses and social workers. However, there are specific eligibility requirements necessary to take the examination. These requirements include a blend of education, paid work experience* and professional practice:

    • A Registered Nurse (RN) applicant must possess a valid and current nursing license that is in good standing. RN applicants must provide a nursing license number, state and expiration date.
    • Social Worker (SW) applicants must have a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited school of social work OR a valid social work license that is in good standing. SW applicants must provide the degree, name of school and year of completion OR a current social work license number, state and expiration date.
    • All applicants must have at least 2,080 hours of supervised paid work experience employed as a case manager, or in a role that falls within the Case Management Functions and Expectations of a case manager, by a Health Delivery System.

      **Candidates with less than two (2) years of experience must provide supervisor contact information and an attestation that they have at least one (1) year of supervised case management experience on the ACM application. The NBCM recognizes that because case management experience, supervision and education vary, some case managers may be qualified to sit for the exam after only one (1) year of experience.

    If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements of both an RN and SW, they must indicate which exam they wish to take and provide the applicable documentation of eligibility.

    *Paid or unpaid internship experience does not count toward full-time work experience.

    When Can I Take the ACM Certification?

    Candidates have two test scheduling options:

    Option 1: Apply Now, Schedule Now. Candidates pay a small premium to schedule their exam to be taken within the next three months.

    Option 2: Quarterly Exam Scheduling. Candidates apply and test within the regularly scheduled deadlines and timeframes listed below.

    Candidates applying by: Will be eligible to test in:
    November 15 January, February or March
    February 15 April, May or June
    May 15 July, August or September
    August 15 October, November or December

    Candidates may submit their application at any time. All applications must be accompanied by full payment of application fees to be considered complete and ready for approval. Upon receipt of approval, candidates will receive a scheduling notice from ACM's testing partner and will be directed to schedule their examination through the testing partner's online portal, or by contacting the testing partner by phone.

    Failure of a candidate to schedule or take their examination within their assigned testing period will result in the forfeiture of all fees. Expedited (Apply Now, Schedule Now) testing payment is not a guarantee that you can schedule for a specific date. There are no refunds of the expedited testing premium.

    ACM Certification Statistics

    • Over 7,000 health delivery system case managers have earned the ACM Credential (as of November 2020)
    • 98% of ACM Credentialed professional feel the certification is applicable to their case management practice.
    • 47% of ACM Credentialed professionals indicate that the certification has increased their professional standing with their direct supervisor, coworkers, and increased their professional knowledge and competency.
    • 65% of case management departments report that case management certification is influential in hiring decisions, and over half prefer the ACM credential.
    • 90% of ACM Credentialed professionals would recommend the certification to other case managers.
    • A summary of ACM Certification Activities is available from the ACMA National Office upon request.

    What Do ACM Credentialed Professionals Say?

    "ACM Certification is well-recognized and respected within the healthcare and transitions of care systems. That is why I prepared for and obtained my certification. As a manager in the oldest public hospital in Arizona, it verifies my competence and expertise to my employers, peers and patients. It demonstrates by commitment to the case management field."

    - Nicole Mielke, LMSW, ACM-SW

    “I achieved my ACM Certification after 30 years of work in case management. Although I knew I had the knowledge, I didn’t have the unquestionable creditability - the credibility that comes with having your knowledge, comprehension and ability to apply tested and validated. That’s sweet!"

    - Ettie Lande, RN, BSN, ACM-RN, CMAC

    ACM Certification Study Guide Available

    How are you preparing to take the ACM Certification Exam? ACMA offers preparatory materials including a study guide and self-assessment exam. To learn more, click here.

    Questions? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions Section.

    Announcements

    SAVE THE DATE | ACMA 2025 National Conference

    Join us for ACMA 2025 National Conference, April 3-6, 2025 in Denver, CO. Don't miss out on the premier case management and transitions of care conference of the year!
    Experience ACMA at National!

    Register Now! | 2024 Leadership and Physician Advisor Conference

    The 2024 Leadership and Physician Advisor Conference is November 18-20 in Huntington Beach, CA! Health plans and providers, this conference has everything you need.
    Register today!

    Care Transitions Today Podcast

    Our upcoming series, Case-of-the-Month, is co-presented by the American Case Management Association (ACMA) and the Association of Physician Leadership in Care Management (APLCM). In the Case of the Month series, we delve deep into real-world medical cases, sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to patient care. Each episode, our panel of experts brings you a new case study, offering a unique learning opportunity for health care professionals at all levels of experience. Learn more!

    Karen Vanaskie Scholarship Fund

    Karen Vanaskie was one of case management's brightest and most dedicated professionals. She was serving as Secretary / Treasurer on the ACMA National Board of Directors at the time of her unexpected passing on June 21, 2024.

    At the request of Karen's family, ACMA has set up the Karen Vanaskie Scholarship Fund. Karen was passionate about the need for case management certification. She actively supported her staff in pursuing the Accredited Case Manager (ACM) Certification. To continue her legacy, this scholarship fund will cover the cost of their ACM certification application fee for those to whom it is awarded. We believe this continues Karen's legacy.

    To apply for the scholarship, click here. For eligibility details, please see below.

    To donate to the scholarship fund in Karen's memory, click here.

    2024 National Survey Results are Live!

    ACMA and APLCM are proud to announce the latest iterations of the National Case Management and Transitions of Care Survey and the Physician Leaders in Care Management Survey, which have been the only source of comprehensive data for the case management industry since 2001. This ongoing research incorporates over 20 years of data, offering invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of case management, transitions of care, and physician advising. Access the full reports through your ACMA and APLCM member portals!

    Share Your Research | Collaborative Case Management

    Do you have a project or measurable initiative you've instituted at your organization? Have you conducted research on a current issue in the field? Share your experiences and results with your professional community! Email your proposal or questions: vmatthews@acmaweb.org.
    Learn more!

    Get ACMA News in the Palm of Your Hand

    Join the conversation with ACMA! Text the keyword ACMA to 844-554-2497 to stay up to date on all the latest news and announcements, delivered straight to your phone!

    Now Accepting Presentations for Chapter Conferences

    We are now accepting presentations for upcoming ACMA chapter conferences. If you have a unique solution, intervention or strategy to improve case management, this is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and be a part of ACMA's national-caliber education at the local level. There is no deadline to submit; presentations will be accepted throughout the year so you can prepare a submission as your schedule allows.
    Submit a presentation!

    SAVE THESE DATES | National Case Management Week

    2024 - October 13-19
    2025 - October 12-18
    2026 - October 11-17
    2027 - October 10-16
    2028 - October 8-14

    American Case Management Association
    17200 Chenal Parkway Ste 300 #345
    Little Rock, AR 72223
    Phone: 501-907-ACMA (2262)
    Fax: 501-227-4247