Who can take the ACM Certification Examination?
How do I apply to take the exam?
When can I take the exam?
Where can I take the exam?
How much does the exam cost?
What happens if I miss my exam date?
What material will be on the exam?
How was the examination content developed?
How can I verify the status of an ACM credential?
How can I study for the exam?
What happens if I do not pass the exam?
How do I apply to retest?
How much is the ACM retest?
Where can I find additional information?
What are my recertification requirements?
Do I have the ability to choose to take the Multiple Choice or Simulation First when testing?
Can I preview a sample simulation problem before taking the ACM examination?
How do I get my certificate?
I need testing accommodations; how do I apply for these?
How many individuals are ACM certified?
How many people passed the ACM-SW (ACM-RN) exam?
I need to update my name in PSI’s system. How do I complete this process?
Who can take the ACM Certification examination?
The ACM Certification examination is available to registered nurses and social workers. However, there are specific eligibility requirements necessary to take the examination. These requirements include a blend of education, paid work experience* and professional practice:
- A Registered Nurse (RN) applicant must possess a valid and current nursing license that is in good standing. RN applicants must provide a nursing license number, state and expiration date.
- Social Worker (SW) applicants must have a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited school of social work OR a valid social work license that is in good standing. SW applicants must provide the degree, name of school and year of completion OR a current social work license number, state and expiration date.
- All applicants must have at least 2,080 hours of supervised full-time paid work experience employed as a case manager, or in a role that falls within the Case Management Functions and Expectations of a case manager, by a Health Delivery System.
**Candidates with less than two (2) years of experience must provide supervisor contact information and an attestation that they have at least one (1) year of supervised case management experience on the ACM application. The NBCM recognizes that because case management experience, supervision and education vary, some case managers may be qualified to sit for the exam after only one (1) year of experience.
If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements of both an RN and SW, they must indicate which exam they wish to take and provide the applicable documentation of eligibility.
*Paid or unpaid internship experience does not count toward full-time work experience.
How do I apply to take the exam?
Applications to take the exam are available on this website (click Application in the navigation bar at the top of this page). If you have questions, you may call the national ACMA office at (501) 907-2262.
When can I take the exam?
Candidates have two test scheduling options:
Option 1: Apply Now, Schedule Now. Candidates pay a small premium to schedule their exam to be taken within the next three months.
Option 2: Quarterly Exam Scheduling. Candidates apply and test within the regularly scheduled deadlines and timeframes listed below.
| Candidates applying by: |
Will be eligible to test in: |
| November 15 |
January, February or March |
| February 15 |
April, May or June |
| May 15 |
July, August or September |
| August 15 |
October, November or December |
Candidates may submit their application at any time. All applications must be accompanied by full payment of application fees to be considered complete and ready for approval. Upon receipt of approval, candidates will receive a scheduling notice from ACM's testing partner and will be directed to schedule their examination through the testing partner's online portal, or by contacting the testing partner by phone.
Failure of a candidate to schedule or take their examination within their assigned testing period will result in the forfeiture of all fees.
Expedited (Apply Now, Schedule Now) testing payment is not a guarantee that you can schedule for a specific date. There are no refunds of the expedited testing premium.
Where can I take the exam?
ACMA partners with PSI Services to administer the ACM Certification examination. PSI operates 350+ testing centers across the country. To find testing center near you, please click here.
View the PSI Test Center Experience video.
How much does the exam cost?
The application fee is $359 for quarterly testing, or $405 if the Apply Now, Schedule Now option is selected. Candidates deemed ineligible to sit for the examination will receive a refund of the examination fee, less a $75 processing fee.
What happens if I miss my exam date?
Candidates must take the exam within their allotted testing period. (For example, initial examinations must be scheduled and confirmed for a date within three (3) months following receipt of application approval.) Candidates can reschedule an examination within the same testing period if they contact PSI within two business days prior to their scheduled exam. (To reschedule an exam, call PSI at (855) 539-0716. Do not contact the assessment center directly.)
If a candidate fails to report for an examination, fails to appropriately reschedule an examination within two business days of the scheduled testing date or reschedules an examination more than once, the examination registration fees will be forfeited.
What material will be on the exam?
ACMA makes an outline of content categories publicly available for candidate review. The outline is included within the ACM Candidate Handbook.
How was the examination content developed?
The content of the ACM (Accredited Case Manager) Examination is defined by a national job analysis study. The study is performed every few years and involves surveying practitioners in the field to identify tasks that are performed routinely and considered important to competent case management practice. The examination is developed through a combined effort of qualified subject-matter experts and testing professionals who construct the examination in accordance with the ACM (Accredited Case Manager) Examination content outline. Click here to learn more about exam development.
How can I verify the status of an ACM credential?
Status of an ACM credential can be verified online, by written request (mail, fax or e-mail) to the ACMA National Office. Inquiries about an individual’s credential status will be answered with the category, certification number, validation period and statement of standing.
Mailed requests can be sent to: National Board of Case Management (NBCM) c/o ACMA National Office, Attn. Certification Department, 17200 Chenal Parkway Ste 300 #345, Little Rock, AR 72223
Faxed requests can be sent to: (501) 227-4247
How Can I Study for the Exam?
It is never too early to start making your plan for exam preparation! Start by accessing the ACM Candidate Handbook to ensure you have the most current information about the test. The handbook contains important information such as examination procedures the content outline, scoring and policies.
Candidates should also take advantage of any available preparatory workshops or study groups as well as the ACM Certification Study Guide. The study guide is an all-inclusive resource for case managers preparing to take the ACM Certification Exam and includes opportunities for practice and self-assessment. All materials are written by leaders in the case management profession to help challenge and prepare candidates for the exam. Click here to learn more and to purchase your electronic guide and assessment tools today.
Local ACMA Chapters can be a great resource when studying for the ACM exam. Many state chapters have study sessions and groups that meet on a regular schedule. You can find the nearest chapter by clicking here.
When purchasing any preparatory course, be aware that ACMA has not provided, to any third party, any details regarding exam content beyond the publicly available materials published on ACMA’s website. Any preparatory course or study materials available from a third party are based on their own knowledge, experience and publicly available information. Preparatory courses may or may not accurately predict the material that is on the examination. No developer of preparatory materials can know for certain what will appear on the examination, nor can they guarantee that you will achieve a passing score on the examination. Be wary of any party making such claims.
What happens if I do not pass the exam?
Candidates who do not pass the exam can apply for a retest through their ACM portal. You have 3 attempts within each calendar year (this includes initial and retest attempts) to take and pass the ACM examination. Please note that both parts of the exam must be passed within a 6-month window, whether that window falls within a single calendar year or spans two calendar years.
Passing scores for test candidates who did not successfully pass both the Core and Simulation Examinations, but did pass one of them, will be kept on file for six months from date of issue. Test candidates can apply to take only the portion of the examination they did not pass. If retesting has not occurred within the designated six months, or if the candidate does not successfully pass both portions of the exam within the designated six months, the original passing score will not be applicable toward certification and the candidate will be required to sit for the entire examination.
How Do I Apply to Retest?
To apply for a retest, candidates should go to the ACM Portal and log in using the credentials provided at the time of their initial account setup. Clicking on the “Retest Application” tab available within the account will open a pre-populated application form. Candidates should verify the information is correct and complete, and then submit, their application for approval.
Verification of receipt will be emailed by ACMA. Once candidates receive a scheduling notice from PSI, the exam can be scheduled online or by phone with the testing provider.
Please note that effective April 1, 2024, the number of times you may test on either exam part will be limited to three (3) in a calendar year (January 1-December 31).
How Much is the ACM Retest?
Candidates are only required to retest for the section(s) of the exam they did not pass. The fee to retest for both sections is $359. The fee to retest for only one section (Core or Simulation) is $200.
Please note that effective April 1, 2024, the number of times you may test on either exam part will be limited to three (3) in a calendar year (January 1-December 31).
What are my recertification requirements?
The ACM credential is valid for a four (4) year period. To recertify, forty (40) hours of continuing education are required.
- Thirty (30) of the forty (40) hours must be specific to health care delivery system case management in your field of practice. The remaining ten (10) hours can be non-case management related.
- Ten (10) hours of non-case management specific continuing education must be related to the practice of healthcare in the certificant’s field of practice.
NOTE: For option #1 below, one (1) continuing education credit (CE) equals one (1) 60-minute hour.
Continuing Education for Recertification
Approved ACM educational programs must be sponsored, presented or approved by one of the ACM accepted approving organizations, and include courses for which the content/subject matter is specific to either (A) health care delivery system case management or (B) related to the practice of healthcare in the certificant’s field of practice.
CEs must come from one or more of the following options:
| OPTION |
ACTIVITY |
HOURS GRANTED |
| 1 |
Participation as a student in an on-site or virtual educational session, provided by one of the following:
- American Case Management Association (ACMA)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- State nursing and social work board-approved educational courses
- Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) and the CCMC Pre-Approved Continuing Education (PACE) program
|
As noted by provider |
| 2 |
Participation as a committee member, co-chair, or chair for a full term on an ACMA committee (e.g., ACM or CMAC rewrite committee); subject to chair confirmation of attendance and participation |
10 per year of participation |
| 3 |
Participation as a Board member for a full term on an ACMA Board (e.g., ACMA Board of Directors, National Case Management Board); subject to chair confirmation of attendance and participation |
10 per year of participation |
| 4 |
Obtain an additional ACMA certification by taking and passing a certification exam |
5 per certification |
| 5 |
Instruction of a case management-related course for an accredited academic institution; courses can be counted twice per four-year period |
10 for each academic credit hour |
| 6 |
Participation as a speaker at a case management-related live or virtual conference or presenter of live or virtual session provided by ACMA, ANCC, NASW, ASWB, state nursing or social work boards, or CCMC/PACE |
10 for each session presented |
| 7 |
Participation as a student in an accredited academic institution, not to exceed 40 hours in a four-year period. Credit is only provided for passing classes in an academic program that are related to case management, leadership, nursing, social work, and support activities and are subject to review. Participation must be within the dates of your recertification term. |
10 for each academic credit hour |
NOTE: Along with your continuing education requirements, you will also be required to submit a recertification fee of $209.00 by the end of your recertification term. CEs must be earned within the dates of your recertification term.
As a reminder, recertification emails are sent as a courtesy. It is the certificate holder's responsibility to renew within the recertification term. Failure to renew on time may result in an expired certification.
Please note that under NBCM guidelines, the ACM certification cannot be used in any way if it is expired.
Where can I find additional information?
More information regarding the ACM Certification can be found on the ACMA website and in the Candidate Handbook. ACMA staff is also on hand to answer any questions you may have. Click here to contact us.
Do I have the ability to choose to take the Multiple Choice or Simulation exam first when testing?
The exam sections (i.e. multiple choice and simulation) are administered in a random order. A candidate cannot request a specific exam section be administered in any specific order
Can I preview a sample simulation problem before taking the ACM examination?
To preview sample simulation exercises, please visit PSI and click on "Test Instructions".
How do I get my certificate?
ACMA provides a wall certificate to every new and renewing certification holder. Effective for those certifications achieved January 1, 2021 or later, ACMA will no longer mail you a copy of your certificate. You can instead access your certificate in your certification portal on the ACMA website within 24-48 hours.
- Go www.acmaweb.org/acm
- Log into your account
- Go to your certification portal
- Click on “My Credential”
- Your certificate is available to view, print, or download as PDF
I need testing accommodations; how do I apply for these?
If you need accommodations for a visual, sensory or physical disability, you may request these by completing this form. All accommodation requests are reviewed by PSI’s accommodations team. Please note: PSI’s accommodation team will assist with scheduling your exam appointment after your accommodation(s) has been approved. If you call PSI’s regular testing scheduling number, you must tell them you are approved for accommodations, or you may not receive your accommodations in a timely manner. Some accommodations may not be available when using the remote proctoring modality.
Candidates are required to undergo a security check before entering PSI's testing centers. This check involves passing through a metal detector or being scanned with a metal wand to ensure no unauthorized devices or items are taken into the testing areas. If a candidate needs an exemption from this protocol for medical reasons, they must fill out an accommodation request form and provide proper documentation. For more information on the security protocol, please click here
Please contact ACMA National Office at (501) 907-2262 if you have additional questions.
How many individuals are ACM certified?
As of December 31, 2022, there were 5,118 certified ACM-RN professionals, and 1,724 certified ACM-SW professionals.
How many people passed the ACM-SW (ACM-RN) exam?
Passing rates show the percentage of candidates who pass an exam, and these rates are further differentiated between those candidates testing for the first time and those retesting. With multiple forms of each exam, the pass rate will also vary slightly dependent on the form administered.
Summary of Certification Activities:
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
ACM-RN Core - Total Test-Takers
Pass Rate (Total Test-Takers) |
689
63.7% |
818
64.7% |
664
64.9% |
ACM-RN Simulation - Total Test-Takers
Pass Rate (Total Test-Takers) |
656
64.5% |
846
60.6% |
695
60.3% |
ACM-SW Core - Total Test-Takers
Pass Rate (Total Test-Takers) |
283
59.4% |
300
59.0% |
314
50.2% |
ACM-SW Simulation - Total Test-Takers
Pass Rate (Total Test-Takers) |
255
71.0% |
268
72.0% |
269
67.6% |
I need to update my name in PSI’s system. How do I complete this process?
To update your name, please call ACMA at 501-907-2262 ahead of your exam (at least 48 business hours before your scheduled appointment). Failure to provide proper identification can result in a forfeit of your exam fee.