ACDIS update: Don’t forget to keep track of your CEUs and recertification date
The recertification process for the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS)/CCDS-Outpatient (CCDS-O) ensures that CDI professionals stay abreast of changing government and private-payer regulations, documentation and coding requirements, and important developments in the field of CDI.
Individuals who hold the CCDS must apply for recertification every two years. It is due on the anniversary of the date on which they passed the CCDS exam. That date is printed on the individual’s certificate. For example, if you successfully pass the CCDS exam date on October 1, 2022, you must submit 30 CEUs by October 1, 2024.
Make sure you set reminders for yourself for the two-year date when you will need to have submitted your CEUs in order to recertify your CCDS or CCDS-O credential. It is CCDS/CCDS-O holder's responsibility to know their recertification due date. ACDIS sends multiple email reminders to the email address on file. We no longer send paper cards or letters. ACDIS is not responsible for late, suspended, or revoked certifications. Please also note that you can find your recertification due date on your account on the certification site.
Visit the CCDS Certification Holders page to check your due date or verify an employee's credential. The posted list will be updated on a rolling basis.
CCDS certification holders must recertify online, supplying proof of having earned 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) relevant to the CDI field. Individuals may submit no more than 10 CEUs for a single activity from another accredited agency or organization such as AHIMA or ANCC. All CEUs issued by HCPro and ACDIS are accepted for recertification (such as from the annual ACDIS Conference or an HCPro CDI-related Boot Camps). Please follow this outlined process to begin your recertification process:
- Login to the certifcation site (here) with your ACDIS membership login or create a login by clicking the "Register" button.
- Search for your certification ID in the search box to link your current certification to your account. Your certification ID is printed on your original certification certificate. If you need help remembering your CCDS ID, please refer to the list of CCDS holders published on the ACDIS website or contact the Certification Office at certifications@hcpro.com.
- Proceed with the recertification process as outlined on the certification site.
Recertification applications may be submitted no more than 60 days before the due date. Although ACDIS strongly recommends submitting 30 CEUs by the two-year exam anniversary date, CCDS certification holders are extended a 45-day grace period to submit their CEUs. Failure to submit CEUs in a timely manner may result in penalties, late fees and eventual revocation of the CCDS credential. A former credential holder may recertify by reapplying for and successfully passing the CCDS exam.
A percentage of applicants will be audited to ensure that they have met the CEU requirements. Recertification candidates should keep a record of participation in all of their CEU qualifying activities in the event of an audit.
Keep in mind that ACDIS does not keep track of your CEUs upon completion of such events, and it is your responsibility to keep track of those credits and submit proof of them when you are recertifying. Additionally, remember that your ACDIS membership and CCDS certification are not the same thing. Your membership provides you access to ACDIS materials such as white papers, the CDI Journal, and others. Meanwhile, your CCDS is a certification.
Be sure to also keep tabs on your local chapters and networking groups, as they often offer CEUs for meeting presentations.
Click here for more information on the CCDS/CCDS-O and obtaining CEUs.