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Best collections specialist certifications

Collections specialist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an collections specialist to employers. However, not all collections specialist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a collections specialist are Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM).

Below is a list of the best collections specialist certifications. Obtaining an collections specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

20 best collections specialist certifications

1. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

2. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Practice Management Institute

4. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)

ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? No

5. Professional Collection Specialist (PCS)

This designation honors collectors who complete training on professional and ethical collection practices.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

6. Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Introduction to Criminal Justice
udemy
4.8
(205)

7. Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)

Medical Office Assistants typically perform administrative duties for health care providers in office settings, although some may also perform basic clinical tasks (as allowed by state laws). Their responsibilities will vary by employer, but may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing or bookkeeping.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

8. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations, and has an impact on revenues and describing health outcomes. In fact, certification has become an implicit industry standard. Accordingly, the CCS credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

9. Certified Professional Collector

Certification provides comprehensive instruction and proficiency testing on the key elements and skills necessary to perform specimen collections in a manner that ensures the security of the specimen and the privacy of the donor.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying organization
Drug & Alcohol Testing...

10. Microsoft Office Specialist Master Certification (MOS)

The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Master certification helps demonstrate an individual's overall comprehension and expertise of Microsoft Office programs. Microsoft Office Specialist Masters have more than a working familiarity with Microsoft Office programs-they are technically skilled to take advantage of the breadth of features efficiently and effectively.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Microsoft Corporation
Course that help you to prepare for certification
PowerPoint 2013 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
udemy
4.3
(229)

11. Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF)

The CDI Certified Industry Resume Specialist allows you to gain certification in your chosen industry.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
Career Directors International

12. Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019)

Demonstrate that you have the advanced skills needed to get the most out of Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert certification in multiple Office programs.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

13. Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)

A Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) is a Certified Public Accountant recognized for his or her unique ability to provide business insight by leveraging knowledge of information relationships and supporting technologies.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

14. Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional coding, reimbursement and claims management skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS) exam. Practice Management Institute® has helped raise the bar of knowledge with its CMIS credential, designed to demonstrate outstanding skill in outpatient claims and reimbursement.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 

15. Nationally Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist (NCICS)

The Insurance and Coding Specialist can find a rewarding position as a health insurance claims processor or coder in a medical office practice. The Examination content areas include medical billing procedures, insurance claims processing, medical terminology, CPT coding, ICD-9-CM Coding, and HCPCS Level II coding.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

16. Professional Credit Associate (PCA)

Certification enables you to make your clients, customers, colleagues,employers and others with whom you do business aware of the knowledge and skill you have invested in your career in the credit industry.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
Credit Professionals International

17. Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)

Medical Assistants typically perform both clinical and administrative tasks that keep the offices of physicians and other health care practitioners running smoothly. The exact duties of medical assistants will vary by employer, depending upon the specialty of the practitioner, and the location & size of the practice. Administrative office responsibilities may consist of handling insurance forms, billing and bookkeeping; updating and filing medical records; scheduling appointments and arranging for hospital admissions; and more. Clinical duties will vary according to State law. They may range from taking medical histories and vital signs, to collection of laboratory specimens, to providing basic patient instructions, and all such duties are generally under the supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

18. Professional Certification in Customer Service and Sales

National Professional Certification in Customer Service® is an industry credential that facilitates career mobility for employees, applicants, and students; adds value to education and training programs; and helps employers identify the qualified professionals.The exam is computer-based and is proctored at one of the many recognized testing centers throughout the nation.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Telephone Etiquette - Customer Service Certification Course
udemy
4.2
(154)

19. Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT)

The Certified Patient Account Manager exam is every bit as challenging for patient account managers as the CPA and Bar exams are for their respective fields. Sitting for this exam takes commitment and dedication. That's one of the reasons it is so prestigious in our industry. For over 25 years the Professional Certification exam has set the standard of excellence in patient accounting.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

20. Certified Professional Biller (CPB)

The Certified Professional Biller (CPB™) credential prepares medical billers with skills to maintain all aspects of the revenue cycle. Without expertise in medical billing and the nuances of payer requirements, reimbursement may be compromised.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

What is the best certification for a collections specialist?

The best collections specialist certification is Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS). The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this collections specialist certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 2 year.

What certifications can impact a collections specialist career and salary?

The Certified Management Accountant certification will help you to secure a office manager position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A office manager's average salary is $43,471 whereas collections specialists make an average salary of $35,164.

Best certifications

The most common combination of collections specialist certifications include: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM).

Online courses for collections specialists to earn certifications

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