Certified MedDRA Coder Examination

The Certified MedDRA Coder (CMC) examination is an online assessment of one’s knowledge of MedDRA coding and of the MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider (PTC) document. The CMC examination includes short verbatim questions requiring single answers and narrative questions from which various data (e.g., medical history, indication, events, etc.) can be coded.

Cost: $400
Length of Examination: 90 minutes
Corporate discounts available. For more information contact the CMC Help desk

The CMC Examination is a service of Northrop Grumman Information Systems and is not a program or service under the auspices of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the MedDRA Management Board, or ICH.

Certified MedDRA Coder: Examination Preparation Training

This webinar is designed to aid examinees in their preparation for the CMC Examination.

Cost: $100
Course Length: 1 hour

 

Before you register:

• Have a working knowledge of the principles of MedDRA term selection as outlined in the MedDRA Term Selection PTC document, including preferred options. The current examination uses MedDRA Version 13.0 and the Term Selection PTC, Release 3.14.

Beginning on 1 November 2010, the CMC examination will be based on MedDRA Version 13.1, and TS:PTC Release 4.0.

• Prepare for the examination (even experienced coders)
• Please review sample questions – short verbatims and narratives
• Please review screen shots of the examination format
• You will need a computer with internet access. We recommend taking the online CMC examination through a direct connection to the internet, not through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.
• You are free to use any reference materials or software tools during the examination. We recommend using a MedDRA browsing tool to eliminate typing errors which are considered wrong answers.
• CAUTION: You must complete the entire examination in one session (90 minutes). You will not be allowed to log out and return later to complete the examination.

The CMC Examination is a service of Northrop Grumman Information Systems and is not a program or service under the auspices of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), MedDRA Management Board, or ICH.

You will need a credit card to register.

The following are basic instructions for registering for the CMC examination. Also available are detailed instuctions including screenshots.

1. Go to the CMC Examination log in page

2. Click Need to create a new user account? link below the login fields.

3. Fill in the following fields to create your account:

1. Your name as you would like it to appear on your CMC certificate
2. Login – select a name to use when logging in to the CMC examination. NOTE: Do not include spaces in the login name. For example, if you choose to login as John Doe, enter JohnDoe
3. Email address – this is where your pass/fail notification and CMC certificate will be sent
4. Email (validate) – enter your email address again to validate
5. Password – create a password you would like to use. NOTE: Do not include spaces in the password. For example, you could use XXYYZZ, but not XX YY ZZ
6. Password (validate) – enter your selected password again
7. You may ignore the Time Zone Default and Time Zone Override fields
8. Please keep track of your login name and password. You will need these again to re-take the CMC examination for any purpose.

4. When complete click the Create New User button.

5. To take the CMC examination, you need to submit your credit card information. Click the Google Checkout icon.

6. If you already have a Google Checkout Account, fill in your password, sign in, and continue. If you do not have a Google account, fill in all of the required information and click on Agree and Continue.

7. After paying by credit card, the intial examination page opens. Click on Start Taking this Test to begin. If you wish to take the test at a later time, click on Not interested in taking this test?

Following registration and payment, you will have up to 30 calendar days to take the examination; otherwise, payment will be forfeited.

Upon completing the examination, you will receive an email indicating if you have passed or failed; a score will not be provided. Your certificate will be emailed to you within thirty days. If you have not received your certificate by then, please notify the CMC Help Desk at CMChelp@ngc.com.

Payment will not be returned if you fail the examination. However, if you wish to re-take the examination, the fee will be reduced to $275 USD.

CMC certification is valid for two years from the date you passed the examination. You will be sent a reminder in advance that your certification is about to expire, and you may register again to take the examination for recertification.

Once I pass the CMC examination, will I have credentials?

Yes. A MedDRA coder will become certified and eligible to use "CMC" after their name.

What if someone (e.g., a prospective employer) would like to verify my certification status? What should I do?

Send an email to the CMC Help Desk (CMChelp@ngc.com) with the name and email address of the person you wish to receive verification of your CMC examination status along with your certificate number. The CMC Help Desk will only send verification to individuals that the test taker identifies, and we will only include the status (i.e., Pass or Fail) and not the specific score of the examination.

Is the CMC certificate required by regulatory authorities or a recommended "Best Practice" by the MedDRA Management Board?

No, the CMC Examination is a service of Northrop Grumman Information Systems and is not a program or service under the auspices of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), MedDRA Management Board, or ICH.

What is a passing score for the CMC examination?

A score of 70% is required to pass the exam. All questions require a response.

What is the format of the CMC examination?

There are 50 "short verbatim" questions which require you to select a single LLT as the correct answer. There are also 3 "narrative vignettes" that require you to select at least one or, typically, multiple LLTs for each vignette. Note that the examination is not a multiple choice format. You will have to select the appropriate LLTs from a MedDRA browser. Please be sure you have access to a browser before you take the examination. No browser is presented to you in the examination itself.

When is the CMC examination given?

The CMC exam is online and can be taken at any time.

Upon which version of MedDRA will the exam questions be based?

The exam is based on the current version of MedDRA and the corresponding version of the Term Selection: Points to Consider document; e.g:

• As of 3 May 2010, MedDRA Version 13.0 and TS:PTC Release 3.14
• Beginning on 1 November 2010, the CMC examination will be based on MedDRA Version 13.1, and TS:PTC Release 4.0.

If I fail the exam, can I re-take it at a reduced fee?

Yes. You will have up to 90 days to re-take the exam at the reduced fee of $275 USD.