How To Become An Authorization Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is an authorization specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

When we process insurance-related claims, we usually begin by coordinating with the insurance agent involved or with the customer service representative of the insurance company. If transactions can be processed by the people we first talk to; we are not endorsed to the other steps. However, some cases need authorization. As such, authorization specialists become involved. Authorization specialists are members of the insurance company.

They are responsible for taking pre-authorization information from the client or the representative. Upon receipt of the information, they check whether these are consistent with the system. Upon assessment, they would then inform the client or representative if their request can be granted or if there are more requirements needed. Afterward, they endorse the documents to the processing team.

If you would like to try this job, you should be organized, and you should have good decision-making skills. You should also think on your feet. Authorization specialists also need to be stern but fair.

ScoreAuthorization SpecialistUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $36,518

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.3

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.75%

Asian 6.88%

Black or African American 10.77%

Hispanic or Latino 22.55%

Unknown 5.48%

White 53.57%

Gender

female 84.56%

male 15.44%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an authorization specialist

Explore authorization specialist education requirements

Most common authorization specialist degrees

Bachelor's

32.6 %

Associate

27.6 %

High School Diploma

15.6 %

Start to develop specific authorization specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	19.69%
Customer Service	10.27%
Insurance Verification	6.35%
Medical Terminology	5.81%
Insurance Eligibility	4.45%

Complete relevant authorization specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New authorization specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an authorization specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real authorization specialist resumes.

Research authorization specialist duties and responsibilities

Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA by appropriately managing patient confidentiality.
Utilize CMS and InterQual criteria to establish authorizations for members requiring medical services for a Medicare advantage insurance company.
Build authorization, match ICD-10 codes with there procedure codes
Provide patients with patient registration forms in order to follow up on patient check-in and check-out utilizing a proprietary management system.

Prepare your authorization specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your authorization specialist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an authorization specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable authorization specialist resume templates

Build a professional authorization specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your authorization specialist resume.

Apply for authorization specialist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an authorization specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do authorization specialists rate their job?

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Authorization specialist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020

Pros

helping people get their medication and I like the job itself!

Cons

The only thing I dont like is I have a dual job which I am an LPN in an acute psychiatric childrens unit and adults, then I also pre authorize medication for a 100 bed hospital in which I work, so I dont always have the time I need.

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019