Organizations and associations are encouraged to apply for prior approval of their program or product with the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) in order to obtain Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that may be applied toward recertification of the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS).

Purpose of prior approval

The purpose of seeking prior approval is to provide associations and organizations with CEUs that may be used towards CCDS recertification. Prior approval does not constitute endorsement of a program or a product, only that ACDIS has designated it as a product related to clinical documentation improvement. Prior approval adds value in that it provides organizations and associations with ease of submission of CEUs for attendees and may increase participation in programs and services.

The application process

To apply for prior approval, fill out the Application for Prior CEU Approval and include all required supporting documentation (see below). In addition, applicants must submit a fee based on the amount of CEUs for which they are seeking approval. This fee is based on the association or organization’s status:

For profit: $150 1–5 CEUs, $30 each CEU above 5
Nonprofit: $75 1–5 CEUs, $15 each CEU above 5

Required supporting documentation

The program sponsors must submit copies of the following documentation at the same time they submit the Application for Prior CEU Approval:

• Marketing materials
• Program agenda (hour-by-hour content outline)
• Bio/description of speaker(s)/presenter(s)
• Temporary access (for Web-based programs) to ACDIS
• If a nonprofit, documentation of nonprofit status

Please send your completed application to with the appropriate supporting documentation and CEU fee to:

HCPro, Inc.
Attn: Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist Program
75 Sylvan Street, Suite A-101
Danvers, MA 01923
 

Or fax to 800/738-1553, Attn: Certification Program Manager.

Please anticipate approximately 3-4 weeks for processing from the date that ACDIS receives the Application for Prior CEU Approval.

Calculating number of CEUs

When calculating the number of CEUs on the Application for Prior CEU Approval, please abide by the following rules:

• CEU hours are based on clock hours of instruction. ACDIS will grant one CEU for each 60 minutes of live instruction or fixed length instruction. Fractional parts of an hour of 45 minutes or more will be awarded a full hour credit.

Use of CCDS language in marketing

Once an association or organization receives prior approval in writing from ACDIS, it may be used in advertising with the following statement:

ACDIS - This program has been approved for XX continuing education units towards fulfilling the requirements of the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) certification, offered as a service of the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS).

Valid dates of pre-approval

Pre-approval by ACDIS lasts one year from the date on which pre-approval is granted. Pre-approval is only valid for dates and locations of the course or activity for which an application is submitted; additional program dates and locations require a new application.

Questions? Call 877/240-6586