The CMT exam is two parts, $150 each, which is non-refundable. The first test is fairly easy to get (I heard it was difficult, though.), but the second part requires a proctor and specialized equipment (standard recorder rather than the micros I've seen around) and has a big list of requirements.

My personal opinion was that I would wait until I had more experience and knowledge under my belt. Six years later, I'm still not confident enough.

I do know that I have a good job and that I can do a good job with or without the CMT.

However, if you are truly interested in it...there are many places that offer study guides.

Go to the AAMT site and check it out. I still play around with the idea, but just live in such a rural area, it would take a lot more motivation for me to pay $300 for something that, at this moment in time, would not do me, personally, a lot of good.

Another interesting note (to me, anyway) is that the certification/licensure for a lot of professions costs TONS less...but those occupations pay a lot more than the average MT earns. In fact, a friend of mine recently took a Microsoft certification program to learn to be a computer tech. The course, certification, books and all were less than $300 and she used the certification to get a job where she is now making $43,000/yr....

Tell me why I love my job again? (Just kidding, really!)

Good luck, Angi

[This message has been edited by monetbaby (edited 05-25-99).]

Some places do indeed pay a little bonus for the CMT and, like our colleague mentioned, some do require it. However, due to the shortage of MTs, those are few and far between.

I have not kept it up because I found it too difficult and time consuming to get all of the CEUs required. Since it isn't required for my job, I have to pay the expensive membership fee each year myself. No thanks.

I don't know about the rest of the country but, while I am making above minimum wage, I certainly do not earn tons of money...and $300 is a lot of money to me, especially for a test that I am not certain I could pass. Even the study guides cost a fortune, all for a job which, in most areas, usually earns less than $10 per hour.

I have heard of some hospitals or offices paying for their transcriptionists to be certified, but management in my office sits around their boardroom at every meeting they have trying to find a way to get rid of us because we are not "revenue builders". I'm sure they would appreciate me coming to them and asking them for $300 for every transcriptionist at our office to take a certification test whether they pass or not.

I guess what I am saying here (at almost midnight) is that I know a lot of people who could pass the test easily, but are just intimidated about the cost. I myself would love to take the test, but I am not confident enough of my skills under test level stress to ensure that my $300 would not be just wasted.

At the very least, they could offer a course for $300, teach you the skills - a refresher course if you would, and then if you pass the final exam, you are AAMT certified.

Also, since there is no standardized certification for CMT's, then anyone can write up a test and give it to transcriptionists and slap a CMT label on them.

Am I the only person who questions this?

So, here's my organized thoughts:
1. Petition the AAMT to lower the cost.
2. Suggest if they cannot lower the cost, that they include a preliminary study course that could be offered through community colleges or at shopping centers or rented banquet halls...whatever...and the final exam for the study course would be the AAMT certification exam and you don't have to find your own proctor because your proctor is already there!
3. Suggest that perhaps the AAMT start a campaign among the physician's of the country explaining what CMT is, why it is good to have a CMT instead of just an MT, and perhaps why the AAMT's CMT exam is sooo much better!

If these conditions were met, then I'd go in a heartbeat...

For now, I'm still waiting...

Angi (rambling)

[This message has been edited by monetbaby (edited 05-26-99).]

[This message has been edited by monetbaby (edited 05-26-99).]

I'm with you 100% on this one, but have held my silence on what I figured would be a pretty unpopular stand. I see the certification program as primarily a money maker for AAMT and not of great benefit to the MT. I was appalled at the size of the fees for the examines and the study materials.

Most other professions that have "certification" are controlled by state or national boards. I can admire AAMT for trying to raise the standard for medical transcription by offering certificiation, however, I do question their fee. For a nurse to take the exam for licensing, the fee is $50 for the exam and $175 for a two-year license in the state of California.

Heck, to take the examine to practice medicine by the National Board of Medical Examiners is $285. The physician pays $15 less than the transcriptionist?

Would having AAMT's certification make me a better MT? Nope. Would it bring a higher fee for my work? Doubt it. Would it make it easier to find work? Again, I doubt it. I live in New York City and have not ever been asked by a potential contract if I was certified. They are more interested in my past experience and seeing my work.

I'm sure there are others who will feel very differently about this, and others who might find that having certification makes a difference in their career. For me, at this point in my career, having that "CMT" would only serve as a costly ego boost. I'd rather continue to put my dollars towards furthering my own education.

Joann

I tell you...I was almost afraid to see what people would say about my comments, I tend to say what I think and sometimes it makes me unpopular with some people.

I personally think that the AAMT overcharges for a lot of services that they offer. I can't even afford the membership fee at my salary.

I would love to see a work sheet of their expenditures every year. It amazes me that they can keep non-profit status...

My suggestion (for what it's worth) to AAMT would be to lower it's membership costs and lower the fee for the tests. The volume of people who would then sign up would most likely balance it out.

A lot of transcriptionists I know are working two and sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. Some of them are single mothers, some of them are just working harder to afford things like a nice home and education for their children.

When their priorities are examined, then I can tell you, CMT certification ranks pretty close to bottom!

I, personally, am single. I have a financially stable boyfriend (I tell him he is my sugar daddy! *Grin*) who, if I asked, would gladly pay the fee. But, heck, I'd rather go on one of our bed-and-breakfast tours where we get to stay in the nice rooms with the jacuzzi in the room.

Maybe I'm not serious about my career. Maybe I'm not THAT much of a perfectionist. Maybe I just have better things to do with my money!

Angi

I tell you...I was almost afraid to see what people would say about my comments, I tend to say what I think and sometimes it makes me unpopular with some people.

I personally think that the AAMT overcharges for a lot of services that they offer. I can't even afford the membership fee at my salary.

I would love to see a work sheet of their expenditures every year. It amazes me that they can keep non-profit status...

My suggestion (for what it's worth) to AAMT would be to lower it's membership costs and lower the fee for the tests. The volume of people who would then sign up would most likely balance it out.

A lot of transcriptionists I know are working two and sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. Some of them are single mothers, some of them are just working harder to afford things like a nice home and education for their children.

When their priorities are examined, then I can tell you, CMT certification ranks pretty close to bottom!

I, personally, am single. I have a financially stable boyfriend (I tell him he is my sugar daddy! *Grin*) who, if I asked, would gladly pay the fee. But, heck, I'd rather go on one of our bed-and-breakfast tours where we get to stay in the nice rooms with the jacuzzi in the room. Or, go on one of our shopping trips to NYC. (Joann, maybe we could have lunch?)

I agree with you that I admire the AAMT's efforts. I am personally, however, no closer to being recognized as a "professional" than I was when I started MT.
Some doctors would, no doubt, think that CMT stood for "certified medical typist" just like they consider us typists now.

I have come to realize that, if anyone is going to change people's perception of what I do for a living, then it is going to be me and I don't need to pay ANYONE $300 to speak my mind!

Angi

I take that back. One good thing was the Book of Style. That has helped people standardize. However, $75 for a nonmember to purchase a thin little book, or $45 for a member??? I can buy a huge reference book for less than that through Stedman's.

Sorry. Needed to vent. I believe in the mission of AAMT, I just don't believe they're accomplishing it.

George

I think that the decision should not be based on money. Yes, the fees are expensive and hard for some of us to cough up....but so are a lot of things.

For me, it's a question of what I want to accomplish or the goals I have set for myself in the MT business. If I want to stay home and work for somebody else, then I guess certification is not necessary...at least not at this point.

If I want to develop clients, build a business, teach, or in any other way be "public," then being a CMT is mandatory. Unfortunately, "others" want to see a piece of paper and some letters behind your name before they take you seriously.

I would imagine that a physician even has a bit more respect when you have demonstrated that you have gone "beyond" the certificate you earned through a correspondence school.

Also, as keyword said, there is a sense of pride...accomplishing a benchmark (of sorts) for proficiency.

On the other hand, the flip side is valid also. It's expensive, isn't necessary, and won't get me more money (maybe...could be shortsighted thinking).

Just as a question.......how many of you HAVE gone to the local chapter meetings? What are your impressions?