The recertification process for the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) ensures that clinical documentation integrity 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.
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 certification 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.
Only CEU activities completed after a candidate passes the CCDS exam may be submitted for recertification. CEUs must be earned during the two-year period when the certification is valid. Additional CEUs do not carry over to the next renewal period.
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.
Need to know what CEUs are accepted for CCDS recertification?
ACDIS members pay a $125 recertification fee when submitting their CCDS Recertification Application. The fee for non-ACDIS members is $225. Please note that if you log into the certification site with your ACDIS membership credentials, your discount will automatically be applied during checkout.
Recertifying both the CCDS and the CCDS-O credentials
Individuals who hold both the CCDS and the CCDS-O will be required to submit evidence 40 CEUs. Both credentials will be recertified at the same time on the two-year anniversary of the most recently earned credential. The single fee for joint recertification of both the CCDS and CCDS-O together is $200 for ACDIS members, $300 for non-members.
Effective July 1, 2016, ACDIS instituted a policy and penalty fee for late CCDS recertification. ACDIS will continue to maintain a 45-day grace period from the date recertification is due for certification holders to submit their application and proof of continuing education credits. A successful recertification application is one that includes the completed recertification application, proof of continuing education credits (copies of all CEU certificates), and accepted payment, plus a $150 late fee. This must be completed within one year of the original recertification due date.
Certification will be revoked after one year if it is not recertified. Individuals must take the exam again.
Recertification reminders
It is CCDS 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.
