Pathway to Certification
The CMD credential is an experiential and education-based certification. There is no exam. Candidates must meet eligibility under three steps, each of which includes education and experience qualification requirements.
Applicants will have up to one year to complete all the application requirements after paying the CMD application fee for initial certification. Those who have not yet registered for the Core Curriculum on Medical Direction will be prompted to do so during the application process.
The CMD application fee is non-refundable.
STEP 1: Eligibility
To be eligible for the CMD Certification you must have:
Completion of a U.S. ACGME or AOA accredited post-graduate training program (or a Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons or College of Family Physicians accredited post-graduate training program).
- Or - Completion of relevant U.S. post-graduate training and successful attainment of U.S. state licensure to practice medicine.*
- Current, unrestricted state license in good standing as an MD or DO in the U.S. (or Canadian equivalent medical license).
- Current DEA license in good standing.
- Consent to background check (FACIS level 3).
- Spend a minimum of 8 hours each month in service as a current medical director/associate medical director in a post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) setting.
- Completed at least 1 year of experience as a clinician in PALTC, or completion of a geriatric fellowship, within the past five years.
Note: recertification is required every six years.
*Waiver requests can be submitted to certification@paltmed.org
STEP 2: Application
Once eligibility has been met, Log into the Certification Portal to complete the CMD application.
STEP 3: Complete Core Curriculum
The body of knowledge required for certification is found in the Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in PALTC (the Core). The Core is divided into two parts, each of which is required.
Part 1: Online Core Curriculum on Medical Direction
Part 2: Core Synthesis
Option 1: Current ABMS or AOA board certification in a primary specialty
In addition to the Core Curriculum, 60 clinical CME credits in the field of geriatrics/long-term care from within the past three years.
Option 2: Current ABMS or AOA board certification in a primary specialty with ABMS/AOA secondary specialty in geriatrics
0 clinical CME credits are required beyond the Core Curriculum
Option 3: Without active board certification in a primary specialty
At least two years of clinical practice in post-acute and long-term care within the past five (5) years
AND
In addition to the Core Curriculum, 75 clinical CME credits in the field of geriatrics/long-term care
STEP 5: CMD Certification
Upon successful completion of steps 1–4 and clearance of the FACIS Level 3 background check, your CMD credential will be awarded, and your certificate will be emailed.