Body of Knowledge

Assess and develop your expertise in medical practice management.

Group practice management is unique, and the profession’s nuances make it unlike any other. That’s why the Body of Knowledge (BOK) for Medical Practice Management is so essential to success. It serves as a repository of industry knowledge, a guide to practice management, an assessment of competency and a learning tool.

The BOK also serves as the exam blueprint for MGMA members who are pursuing certification and Fellowship through the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), the certification and standard-setting entity of MGMA.

Domain exam percentages

Operations Management	25%
Financial Management	25%
Human Resource Management	15%
Risk and Compliance Management	12%
Transformative Healthcare Delivery	13%
Organizational Governance	10%

The BOK domains

See what it takes to become a successful medical practice executive — select a domain to see the performance objectives the BOK can put you on track to master.

Financial Management

Performance objectives to sucessfully maintain financial systems to ensure a profitable practice.

Human Resource Management

Performance objectives to better utilize human resources to achieve & enhance organizational performance.

Organizational Governance

Performance objectives to ensure effective governance and leadership through policies & strategic direction.

Operations Management

Performance objectives for building an effective business plan and managing daily operations.

Transformative Healthcare Delivery

Risk and Compliance Management

Performance objectives for protecting organizations from medical malpractice and adverse legal events.

2020 Updates

The medical practice management profession has always and will continue to evolve and change. To ensure that board certification continues to be the most effective, and contemporary assessment of skills and abilities, the ACMPE exam blueprint has been updated.

Psychometric standards dictate that the content standards for the exam be determined by conducting a Job Analysis Survey. This study uses healthcare administrator professionals to identify and prioritize the critical tasks of a profession. This data was then used to calculate the relative proportions of each subject area, or domain, and reviewed and compiled by subject matter experts.

While the exam content will contain common information, the organization of the information and the level of emphasis will change, as well as added areas of study and more concise tasks.

Download the Examinations Guide

Download Full FAQs

Download 2013 and 2020 Comparison

Download New Framework

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to update the Body of Knowledge for Medical Practice Management (BOK) and exam standards now?
The psychometric standards upon which ACMPE Board Certification is built require that testing materials be rooted in a contemporary study of the state of the profession. Industry standards dictate that exam blueprints be updated approximately every five to seven years. Much like the current update, changes consisted largely of increased or decreased emphasis on functions based on practice management trends.

What has the BOK revision process been?
Psychometric standards dictate that the content standards for the exam be determined by conducting a Job Analysis Study. This study uses subject matter experts to identify and prioritize the critical tasks of a profession.

What is a Body of Knowledge?
Every profession possesses a body of knowledge representing the sum total of information about that profession. Every book that’s written, every article published, every change in legislation -- they all add to the body of knowledge. A formal, documented body of knowledge undergoes a continuous, rigorous review and validation by members of that profession. It’s one way for professionals to establish their claim to an expertise that deserves recognition. Its contents are based on extensive studies by ACMPE, which engaged hundreds of group practice management professionals to identify and validate the role of the medical practice executive and the knowledge and skills required for competent performance.

What MGMA members/leaders were involved and how were they chosen?
As referenced earlier, this process was driven by the ACMPE Certification Commission. The Commission appointed a committee of members to review the current BOK and recommend updates to reflect current industry practices. These leaders were chosen based on guidance from a psychometric consultant and current MGMA demographics, with differing locations and employment types were selected from members of MGMA. The group contained both members who were newer to the field and understood the eligibility requirement of at least two years’ experience, as well as experienced members who have been part of the profession for many years. Other members included a liaison from the ACMPE Certification Commission, members from the ACMPE Examinations Committee and a member of the 2013 update.

What does this mean for professionals who are currently pursuing certification or Fellowship?
The essential content is more up to date with today’s industry, including the domain for Transformative Healthcare Delivery. However, some nominees may feel more comfortable taking the exams with the current blueprint.

What if I have already taken the exam(s)?
The current requirements to advance to CMPE status are: pass the scenario-based exam, pass the multiple choice exam and log 50 continuing education credits on your transcript following the continuing education specifications (in no particular order). It does not matter if your exams were taken and passed using the 2013 exam blueprint or the 2020 blueprint. You do not need to retake an exam you have previously taken and passed to become certified if your application is still active.

What does this mean for my existing credential?
In a broad sense, it means your existing credential will continue to be regarded as the most contemporary assessment of proficiency for the medical practice executive profession. It also means that as a Board Certified member or Fellow, you will receive continuing education from MGMA that is relevant and directly tied to competency.