The Certified MDS Assessment Coordinator Certification is the only industry certification that requires certificate holders stay current with CMS legislative changes annually. CMAC certificate holders are required to meet the annual update requirements.


Another distinguishing feature of the certification program is that access to course content, free attendance to AIS webinars and access to industry to industry bulletins are available 24x7, 365 days a year.


Initial Certification Requirements

To complete the CMAC learning requirements, learners will need to successfully pass the Post-Test for the following courses within six months of enrolling:

    Coding Section A, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section B, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section C, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section D, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section E, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section F, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section G, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section GG, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section H, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section I, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section J, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Sections K&L, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section M, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section N, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section O, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section P, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section Q, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Coding Section Z, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Intro & Basics, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    OBRA, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Interview Techniques, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    CAA and Care Plans, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    Submissions, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    QM and the MDS, Passing Grade Required: 80%

    RUG IV for LTC, Passing Grade Required: 80%


    Note:  Pre-Tests are provided to give you a baseline of your knowledge before the training. They are not required to earn your CMAC certification.

    Post-Tests completed prior to enrolment are counted towards your CMAC certification, only if they were completed in the six months prior to enrolling.

    Annual Recertification

    Annual Recertification is available to learners who have already earned their CMAC certification. To maintain your certification you must complete an annual recertification every 365 days. 

    The annual recertification will provide certification holders online access to learning content that is focused on CMS related changes and MDS content related to high impact operational areas. Certificate holders will be required to successfully complete a proficiency exam on the related content.


    AIS will email learners a reminder notification 90, 60, and 30 days prior to the renewal date of your CMAC certification. Learners will be required to complete the recertification exam prior to their renewal date. Failure to complete the recertification on time will result in the expiration of your CMAC designation. 


    Should a learner's CMAC designation expire, learners will be required to complete the Initial Certification Requirements and pay the associated fee to earn the CMAC designation again.


    Exam Retakes

    Learners will be able to retake any exam up to three (3) times. Should additional attempts be required, the learner will be be able to have the exam reset for one (1) additional take. For Personal edition CMAC candidates, there is a $50 reset fee for each exam retake. Enterprise CMAC candidates, can see their local RAI educator or help contact for retakes.


    Examination Honor Policy

    All certification exams will be completed online and may be completed in one sitting or in sections. Prior to starting each exam, learners will be required to complete an attestation statement before exam access is granted. The attestation statement captures the learner’s commitment not to seek assistance from other individuals while completing the course exams as well as the learner’s declaration that their performance on the certification exam reflects their own personal knowledge.