Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist (CMTMS)

CMTMS (MTM-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the clinical knowledge and skills to provide patient-centered Medication Therapy Management services, optimize medication regimens, and improve health outcomes.

Domain 1: The MTM Process and Patient Assessment (40%)

• Core Elements of MTM: Apply the five core elements of the MTM service model in practice.
• Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR): Conduct a systematic review of a patient's full medication regimen (prescription, OTC, supplements) to assess for appropriateness, safety, and efficacy.
• Patient Interviewing: Employ patient-centered communication skills, such as motivational interviewing, to gather information and assess a patient's medication experience.
• Drug Therapy Problem (DTP) Identification: Identify and categorize all potential DTPs, including unnecessary therapy, subtherapeutic dosage, adverse drug reactions, and nonadherence.

Domain 2: Clinical Decision-Making and Intervention (40%)

• Prioritizing DTPs: Prioritize identified DTPs based on their clinical urgency and potential for patient harm.
• Developing a Medication Action Plan (MAP): Collaborate with the patient to develop a patient-centered MAP with clear, actionable steps.
• Pharmacotherapy Recommendations: Formulate evidence-based recommendations for the prescriber to resolve identified DTPs.
• Disease State Management: Apply clinical guidelines to optimize therapy for common chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma/COPD, heart failure).

Domain 3: Documentation, Billing, and Practice Management (20%)

• Documentation: Document all aspects of the MTM encounter, including the CMR, Personal Medication Record (PMR), and MAP, in a standardized format.
• Billing and Reimbursement: Apply knowledge of Medicare Part D MTM program requirements and utilize appropriate CPT codes for billing.
• Practice Models: Differentiate between various models of MTM delivery (e.g., in-person, telephonic) and their workflow considerations.
• Outcomes Measurement: Describe how to measure and report the clinical and economic outcomes of an MTM program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to sit for a CPS certification exam, candidates must meet the criteria outlined in one of the two pathways below.

Pathway 1: For U.S. Licensed Pharmacists

This pathway is for pharmacists licensed to practice within the United States, regardless of country of graduation.

• Hold an active and unrestricted pharmacist license in any state or territory of the United States.
• Meet educational requirements by being a graduate of an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy or holding a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee® (FPGEC) Certificate.
• Fulfill the specialty experience requirement as outlined below.

Pathway 2: For International Pharmacists (Non-U.S. Licensed)

This pathway is for pharmacists who practice outside of the United States.

• Hold an active and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in their country of practice. A certified English translation of the license must be provided if the original is not in English.
• Hold a professional degree in pharmacy equivalent to a U.S. pharmacy degree, such as a Bachelor’s degree (BPharm), Master’s degree in Pharmacy Practice (MPharm), or Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD).
• Fulfill the specialty experience requirement as outlined below.

Specialty Experience Requirement (for all pathways)

To ensure candidates have foundational knowledge in the specialty, one of the following criteria must be met:

• Standard Pathway:
  Completion of at least one year of professional experience in a practice setting directly related to the certification area.
• Certificate Pathway:
  The one-year specialty experience requirement is waived for candidates who hold an active certificate of completion from a nationally recognized provider in a related subject matter. This includes, but is not limited to, the completion of a relevant PGY residency, fellowship, certificate/training program, or a relevant graduate degree (e.g., a Master's degree in the specialty field). Recognized providers of certificate programs include, but are not limited to:
  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
  • American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
  • American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

Career Path for CMTMS Professionals

The CMTMS certification is ideal for pharmacists in ambulatory care, community, and managed care settings who provide direct patient care. This credential formally recognizes a high level of skill in patient assessment, communication, and clinical problem-solving.

Target Candidates

• Ambulatory care and community pharmacists providing MTM services.
• Managed care pharmacists who oversee or deliver MTM programs.
• Consultant pharmacists serving long-term care or other facilities.
• Pharmacists with residency training or a board certification (e.g., BCACP, BCGP).

Primary Job Roles:

• Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Pharmacist
• Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
• Clinical Pharmacist (Community or Health-System)
• Consultant Pharmacist
• Managed Care Pharmacist (Clinical Programs)

Career Advancement:

A CMTMS is well-positioned to lead clinical service development. They can advance to become a Manager of MTM or Clinical Services for a health plan or pharmacy chain, an owner of a successful consulting practice, or a leader in a value-based care organization.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CMTMS exam with resources designed to master the MTM core elements and clinical application.