NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner Program

As the definitive resource for healthcare issues relating to menopause, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) developed a competency examination program in 2002 to:

• Set the standards for menopause practice
• Assist women in locating clinicians who could provide optimal menopause-related health care

Benefits of NCMP Credential

If you are a licensed healthcare provider, you are invited to earn the prestigious credential of “NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner” or “NCMP.” Benefits include:

• Validation of a level of expertise from the preeminent scientific organization focused on menopause management
• Enhanced credibility among patients and other healthcare providers
• Opportunity to enhance promotion of your menopause practice in your community, leading to expansion of your patient base
• Potentially higher income and job promotion
• Permission to use “NCMP” every time you feature your name and other credentials (eg, MD, NP)
• Special recognition on the NAMS Web site, in referral lists mailed to women 
  without Internet access, and among peers at the NAMS Annual Scientific Meeting
• Personal satisfaction of knowing you are providing your patients with the best possible care

If you earn the NCMP certification, you would receive from NAMS the following materials to proudly display your accomplishment to patients and colleagues:

• Certificate suitable for framing
• Annual lapel pins
• NCMP logo for your use (eg, letterhead, Web site)
• Suggested press release for alerting your local media outlets

The NAMS Referral Service offers a search function by zip code, making it even easier for women to find an NCMP for their health care.

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How to Earn the NCMP Credential

Details and an application form are found in the printed Candidate Handbook, a copy of which can be downloaded. It’s important to review the entire handbook, but here are the highlights:

Content

• A national role-delineation study defined the content of the examination, which includes tasks that are performed routinely and considered important to competent practice.
• The examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions in English, developed through a combined effort of qualified subject-matter experts and testing professionals who have constructed it in accordance with the examination content outline. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Candidates must be a licensed healthcare practitioner, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and psychologists.
• A photocopy of the applicant’s current license must be submitted with the examination application 
  and fee.

Fees

• The fees to either take the exam or maintain the credential are $200 (NAMS member) and $400 (nonmember). Join NAMS and save! 
• Additional late application fee: $75
• Extra custom exam location/date fee: $500

  “By taking the NAMS competency exam, I have proved that I am continuing to keep up with the latest menopause information.”   
                                  —Robyn B. Faye, MD, NCMP, FACOG
                                                                   Ft. Washington, PA

  “The NAMS credential has provided an additional level of credibility of my practice.”
             —Diane T. Pace, PhD, FNP, CCD, NCMP, FAANP
                                                                             Memphis, TN

Regularly Scheduled Exam Locations 
& Dates for 2010

• 2/25 Johannesburg, S. Africa
• 5/16 Variou US Locations
• 6/27 Phoenix, AZ
• October 6, Chicago IL (2:00 PM)
  (prior to NAMS Annual Meeting)

Customized Exam Locations & Dates

• In addition to regularly scheduled locations and dates, you can customize a location and date, choosing from over 120 exam locations. 
• An extra test center fee of $500 is required, but this fee can be shared among those registered for that location and date. 
• If there is a group of 15 or more exam candidates for the customized location and date, NAMS will waive the extra test center fee. 
• Often, candidates willingly pay the extra fee just for the convenience of having the exam close to home at a time that fits into their schedule. 
• For more information about this custom program, contact Mary Nance, coordinator of the NAMS Exam Program in the Society’s Central Office. 

Recognition of Competency

• Eligible candidates who pass the examination will receive the NCMP credential.
• The credential is valid for three years. For example, if you received your credential at any time during calendar year 2006, you have through December 31, 2009, to maintain it.
• To maintain credential status, there are two options: re-examination or submit the appropriate continuing education credits (45 hours, with 30 from NAMS, during the 3-year timespan). 
• For more detailed information, see the Certification Maintenance Application. 

Questions?

If you have any question about the NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner program, please contact Mary Nance by e-mail or telephone (440/442-7845). She is the coordinator of the program in the Society’s Central Office.