The Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) examination is designed to test an applicant's ability to recall documentation and coding guidelines and industry regulations pertaining to clinical documentation improvement and apply that knowledge to real-life scenarios clinical documentation specialists face every day. Achieving this credential recognizes that a clinical documentation specialist possesses prerequisite educational requirements as well as proven, hands-on experience performing the function of a clinical documentation specialist.

CCDS prerequisites

Candidates who wish to take the certification examination must meet all the general requirements (see below) and ONE of the following four routes in order to sit for the CCDS exam:

• Route 1. Minimum two years full-time (24 months or 3,900 hours) or equivalent experience as a documentation specialist, AND formal training (accredited, college level course work) in human anatomy and/or physiology, medical terminology, and disease processes.
• Route 2. Minimum one year full-time (12 months or 1,950 hours) or equivalent experience as a documentation specialist, AND successful completion of a minimum of an Associate’s degree [or equivalent (4 semesters/6 quarters)] in an approved college level curriculum in a recognized allied health field*, as determined by the ACDIS certification board. A recognized allied health field for certification purposes includes human anatomy and/or physiology, medical terminology, and disease processes as part of its curriculum.
• Route 3. Minimum one year full-time (12 months or 1,950 hours) or equivalent experience as a documentation specialist AND successful completion of a minimum of an Associate’s degree [or equivalent (4 semesters/6 quarters)] AND license or certification in a recognized allied health field, as determined by the certification board. A recognized allied health field for certification purposes includes human anatomy and/or physiology, medical terminology, and disease processes as part of its curriculum.
• Route 4. Minimum one year full-time (12 months or 1,950 hours) or equivalent experience as a documentation specialist AND successful completion of a Baccalaureate Degree or higher college level curriculum, AND formal training (accredited, college level course work) in human anatomy and/or physiology, medical terminology, and disease processes.

General requirements

• Candidates applying for the examination will be required to list their documentation specialist experience. Applications may be audited to verify work history.
• Once a candidate has accumulated the necessary hours these do not expire.
• All work experience must be met by the application deadline.
• At least one year of documentation specialist experience or equivalent is required for each eligibility requirement.

Frequently asked questions

Click here to download a PDF of frequently asked questions.

Recertification

The goal of recertification is to assure continuing competence of each CCDS and maintain the standard of professionalism in clinical documentation improvement. Those applicants who become a CCDS will be eligible for recertification every two years for a $200 fee ($100 for ACDIS members). Additionally, 20 CEUs are required. Recertification does not require a CCDS to retake the certification examination.

Continuing education hours will consist of activities including, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Listening to audio conferences
• Submitting article summaries
• Attending annual conferences
• Taking e-learning courses

For more information or to submit your CEUs for recertification, please visit our recertification page.