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Prior authorization representative education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a prior authorization representative. Prior authorization representatives usually study business, health care administration, or pharmacy. 24% of prior authorization representatives hold a high school diploma, and 24% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,993 real prior authorization representative resumes to see exactly what prior authorization representative education sections show.
The most common colleges for prior authorization representatives are the St. Louis and the St. Louis.
There are also many online prior authorization representative courses to help get the education required to be a prior authorization representative.
There are certain prior authorization representative certifications that you should consider. These prior authorization representative certifications include Medical Assistant and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
What education do you need to become a prior authorization representative?
What degree do you need to be a prior authorization representative?
- High School Diploma, 24%
- Bachelor's, 24%
- Associate, 24%
- Diploma, 13%
- Other Degrees, 15%
What should I major in to become a prior authorization representative?
- Business, 20%
- Pharmacy, 10%
- General Studies, 8%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for prior authorization representatives
| Prior authorization representative common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| St. Louis | 23.89% |
| University of Phoenix | 12.78% |
| Remington College | 6.67% |
| DeVry University | 5.00% |
| Virginia State University | 5.00% |
Best majors for prior authorization representatives
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 20.0% |
| 2 | Health Care Administration | 12.0% |
| 3 | Pharmacy | 9.8% |
| 4 | General Studies | 7.8% |
| 5 | Medical Assisting Services | 7.4% |
Best colleges for prior authorization representatives
The best colleges for prior authorization representatives are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
A prior authorization representative with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for prior authorization representatives. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become prior authorization representatives.
1. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
7. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for prior authorization representatives
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3. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
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Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
5. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
6. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply
How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...
7. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - European Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in real-world situations...
8. Introduction to Medical Imaging
Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...
9. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...
10. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics
Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...
11. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
12. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course
Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course...
13. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
14. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers
An introduction to the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for those involved in developing medical devices...
15. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices
Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...
16. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
17. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
18. Certificate Course in Pharmacovigilance
Drug safety, Drug development and discovery, ICSR , Adverse events, Global guidelines, Med DRA, PV Audits...
19. ISO 13485:2016 - Design and Development of Medical Devices
Design and Development of Medical Devices in the perspective of ISO 13485:2016 and Medical Devices Industry...
20. Deep Learning with PyTorch for Medical Image Analysis
Learn how to use Pytorch-Lightning to solve real world medical imaging tasks!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for prior authorization representatives
The most affordable schools for prior authorization representatives are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for prior authorization representatives are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for prior authorization representatives.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for prior authorization representatives
The hardest universities for prior authorization representatives to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for prior authorization representatives are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for prior authorization representatives based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for prior authorization representatives
The easiest schools for prior authorization representatives to get into are D'Youville College, adventhealth university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a prior authorization representative without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for prior authorization representatives.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
10. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, OK • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,085
Average prior authorization representative salary by education level
| Prior authorization representative education level | Prior authorization representative salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $45,526 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $38,337 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $43,799 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $39,754 |
Prior authorization representative education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common office and administrative questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025