How To Become A Prior Authorization Representative: What It Is and Career Path

What is a prior authorization representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average prior authorization representative salary is $38,726. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an business major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a prior authorization representative. Prior authorization representatives with a Medical Assistant certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -4% and produce -105,300 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScorePrior Authorization RepresentativeUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,726

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.3

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67%

Asian 5.80%

Black or African American 9.74%

Hispanic or Latino 18.04%

Unknown 5.17%

White 60.58%

Gender

female 78.92%

male 21.08%

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

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a prior authorization representative

Explore prior authorization representative education requirements

Most common prior authorization representative degrees

High School Diploma

24.2 %

Bachelor's

24.2 %

Associate

23.8 %

Start to develop specific prior authorization representative skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	25.80%
Customer Service	7.93%
Outbound Calls	5.14%
Medical Terminology	4.41%
Data Entry	3.98%

Complete relevant prior authorization representative training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New prior authorization representatives 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 a prior authorization representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real prior authorization representative resumes.

Research prior authorization representative duties and responsibilities

Manage inbound/outbound calls for medical personnel and patients, along with computerize data entry to regulate proper distribution of prescription medication.
Utilize knowledge of physician office policies, CPT and ICD-9 coding, procedures, and equipment.
Provide compassion without judgment in regards to patient's finances.
Determine if CPT and ICD-10 codes are correct and qualify for coverage.

Prepare your prior authorization representative resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your prior authorization representative 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 a prior authorization representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable prior authorization representative resume templates

Build a professional prior authorization representative 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 prior authorization representative resume.

Apply for prior authorization representative jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a prior authorization representative 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

Average prior authorization representative salary

The average prior authorization representative salary in the United States is $38,726 per year or $19 per hour. Prior authorization representative salaries range between $29,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average prior authorization representative salary

$38,726 Yearly

$18.62 hourly

How do prior authorization representatives rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Prior authorization representative 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

Pros

Meeting new people and working with other healthcare specialist

Cons

Sitting for long periods

What is a prior authorization representative and how to become one

Prior authorization representative career paths

Key steps to become a prior authorization representative

Explore prior authorization representative education requirements

Most common prior authorization representative degrees

Start to develop specific prior authorization representative skills

Complete relevant prior authorization representative training and internships

Research prior authorization representative duties and responsibilities

Prepare your prior authorization representative resume

Choose from 10+ customizable prior authorization representative resume templates

Apply for prior authorization representative jobs

How did you land your first prior authorization representative job

Average prior authorization representative salary

How do prior authorization representatives rate their job?

Prior authorization representative reviews