CCDS update: Exam available in Puerto Rico starting this fall
ACDIS is pleased to announce that the CCDS exam will be open to candidates in Puerto Rico in September.
PSI/AMP offers two testing sites (in San Juan and Yauco) with exams given one day a week at each location. Each location has five seats, so can accommodate multiple testers. Exam candidates will follow the same processes as state-side candidates (two forms of ID, same books permitted, same restrictions on items allowed in the testing room, proctored exam, and so on).
We recommend that interested individuals download the CCDS Exam Candidate’s Handbook from our website. It explains the application process and has recommendations for exam preparation.
The application is on the ACDIS website. The cost for the exam is $255 for ACDIS members and $355 for non-members. CCDS holders do not have to be ACDIS members, but we hope they will explore membership. Among the many valuable benefits is the option to earn 10 free continuing education units each year toward the 30 that are required every two years to recertify their CCDS.
The recommended exam prep resource is the CCDS Exam Study Guide, available on the ACDIS web site. The Guide includes a link to an online practice exam.
There is also a CCDS Exam Prep Boot Camp, available as both an online or open registration/classroom program.
There is one important difference for Puerto Rico candidates—they will not receive their scores on site. Results will be mailed within two business days from the exam company’s home office in Kansas.
You may be aware that ACDIS will begin offering a new certification for Outpatient CDI professionals in the fall. Once the CCDS-O exam is in place and on-site scoring is in place, we will offer that exam in Puerto Rico as well.
More good news—all of the above applies to potential candidates in Canada.
Individuals in Canada who may wish to take the exam should email exam coordinator Penny Richards for more information.
Finally, we continue to explore offering the exam overseas and will provide details when that opportunity is available.
We are pleased to bring the CCDS certification opportunity to clinical documentation professionals in Puerto Rico and Canada. Please contact us with your questions.