Program Info | ACMA BPharm, MPH, MBA, BCMAS Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. According to the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession has exploded to over 3000 MSLs across the country and is still growing. medical affairs professionals. Each of the certifications require you to complete CE and/or retest every few years to keep the board certification current. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. But comprehensive, accredited, educational programs for medical affairs professionals are few and far between. A quick search of Linked In will show a splattering of the newly developed MSL-BC professionals while a similar inquiry will find a larger number of those with the BCMAS credential many of whom are in more leadership medical affairs positions (the larger number no doubt due to the fact that BCMAS is for all of MA not specifically MSLs and has been around for an extended period of time comparatively). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. With the addition of the BCMAS to my LinkedIn profile and resume, it attracted recruiters to me for medical science liaison roles. The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives For medical science liaisons, the BCMAS provides a professional credential that demonstrates a commitment to the role, a dedication to a high standard of excellence and protects the integrity of medical affairs. #msl #boardcertification #bcmas #mslbc #medicalaffairs #msls #acma. Achieving the highly respected Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Accreditation from ACMA provides this proof. Regardless of where you are in your MSL career, obtaining an MSL certification can help advance your MSL career and distinguish you among other MSL candidates when applying for a new MSL job or getting that promotion from MSL to MSL Manager or MSL Director. It is designed to recognize excellence among those who wish to specialize as experts in medical affairs. orgAccreditation Council for Medical AffairsBe in the Know with ACMAs in the news and newsworthy shares. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). and our With increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical industry practices, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies are validating the knowledge of their field teams in medical affairs and sales is imperative. Thanks, I appreciate the up-to-date info! background, so I found the program very helpful. Those are some of the reasons why executives with more than a decade of industry experience have turned to the ACMA to earn their medical affairs credentials. These cookies do not store any personal information. The BCMAS program will expand your knowledge and advance your medical science liaison career. Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program is the first accredited certification for medical science liaisons and medical affairs professionals in the world. JavaScript is disabled. Bachelors Degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited educational institution (a copy of the candidates highest degree or transcript must be provided at the time of registration). While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, it's worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. If you have any questions , please direct them to our staff directly who would be happy to help you , rather than making assumptions about what we do on an anonymous forum. Certainly time well spent! Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Thoughts on BCMAS? : r/MedicalScienceLiaison - reddit Awesome article! MD, MBEE, BCMAS As a result the BCMAS program has several international variations each containing region specific information. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. Since then, many companies have built MSL teams within medical affairs to help provide important educational information to HCPs. The BCMAS Exam. Expanded Access to Advanced Cell Therapies. The National Electrical Manufacturing Association, or NEMA, enclosure standards denote where whole-house surge protectors can be installed. accredited college, university or institution. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. Still others are looking for a challenge to learn what they dont know. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. This is rather controversial around here. so what makes BCMAS so special that you think it's worth thousands of dollars when there are high quality comprehensive free online courses from places like NIH lol? If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Certain aspects I am not familiar with, such as which program came first or whether the organizations are non profit. While the exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. Post title says it all. I was looking for avenues where I can learn more and grow in Medical Affairs. Raymond Oliva, MD, FPCP, BCMAS - LinkedIn Thank you . Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program sets the industry standard for the medical science liaisons and medical affairs professionals by providing an independently accredited award-winning career development program. taking the board exam. The ACMA is the only organization committed to the medical science liaison profession, which has been featured in mainstream media such as ABC News, Forbes and the Boston Herald. And theres certainly no programs offering board certification. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Additionally, we use PayPal, so you can always use PayPal credit if you qualify. While the exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. They do have a chat function but Ive noticed oftentimes its not available every day and at off hours which makes it tough to get answers to important questions. I heard it is becoming the industry standard. MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. $700. ACMA Podcast is focused on establishing benchmarks of excellence in training for the About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). It also customizes BCMAS exams to reflect different regions around the world so BCMAS is a great option for global MSL teams wanting to certify. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. But, how do you go about getting certified? How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring In keeping with this year's emphasis on cloud services, this certification enters this list with a promise to earn its qualifiers an average salary of $142,708. It also sets the stage for continual professional development through values centered on lifelong . Accreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMAS medicalaffairsspecialist. It is also the first board certification for MSLs. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) . But high performers can see their salaries climb above $171,000. Board Certify Your Medical Affairs/MSL Team with BCMAS Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. 10 Essential IT Certifications for 2023 | Coursera At this time, its difficult to tell how recognized the MSL-BC mark will become in the future and whether it will stand the test of time. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. Recertification Option 1 : Completing twenty (20) hours of continuing education modules provided by the ACMA and successful quiz completion of each module. Everything including the exam fee is ~$1000. MSLs help facilitate research and educate residents/fellows and much more. But you can clearly see on our website, our position. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. But how can one get all this info? Hi It is legit. As for ACMA, the content of modules and associated tools, access to online chat, and opportunity to get board certified, are well worth the cost. I have nothing against the guy but I don't trust his company. Career-minded medical affairs professionals want to show senior leaders that their role is not just a job for them. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. There are BCMAS programs for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Canada, and South America where material is customized based on regional differences in the regulatory & compliance landscape (For example, FDA vs. EMA vs. Health Canada) 5. BCMAS Home | ACMA With BCMAS certification, you demonstrate that you've mastered the industry standard of knowledge through intensive study, self-assessment, and evaluation. Very good article! New Data From Trials of Evolocumab, Olpasiran Show Promise for Cardiovascular Disease Care, Pharmacy Focus: Public Health Matters - Motivational Interviewing, Avadel Seeks FDA Approval for Sodium Oxybate to Treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Independent Rx Forum - Preparing for DIR Fee Changes, COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Found to Protect Infants Against Infection, Hospital Admission, Study: Remote Dietary Intervention May Reduce Chronic Fatigue for Lymphoma Survivors. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders And often, medical affairs executives get so engrossed in their day to day activities that its challenging to gain a deep understanding of how other departments and functions operate, let alone train another colleague on these functions. Speaking for myself, I can already tell a shift in mentality towards clinical development and regulatory affairs following the BCMAS modules. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for A displaced senior pilot-with 100,000 hours of heavy airline transport time, earning $150,000 a year-would have a hard time finding an equivalent highpaying job in school teaching. Medical Director of Astellas Pharma Philippines. Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. Youre Certifiable! ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. Home Blog Articles Becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs (BCMAS): The new standard in Pharma. Would anyone that has completed the program recommended it? Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. SALARY Inc! But the BCMAS credential has a unique appeal for medical affairs executives, many of whom dont have a formal medical doctorate. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA Investing in a board certification at this age of growth is definitely time well spent. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. I view them as a way to develop and solidify already gained experience. MSLs may serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. You can do this by either 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. Reem El Barrani, B. Pharm, MSc Clin. Pharm, BCMAS Program Policies | ACMA Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3cb49ddf8da07e17af6d699a0ebe2fc" );document.getElementById("ae49f29f56").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its the benchmark of excellence for Medical Affairs in the industry for over 5+ years. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. And going from a medical 7+ Year Member. Do you need prior experience before taking this? BCMAS established to create standards for knowledge, business skills and professional practice in the pharmaceutical industry. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. Dr. Hughes achieved the Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) certification from ACMA in May of 2021 and believes that it will open new doors and provide her with more in-depth industry training that is needed to excel in the medical affairs career path. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives Loved it! BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful comments. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA We hope this MSL article was helpful! Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. Our training programs can be customized to meet your companys specific needs (disease state, clinical, and soft skills training). The BCMAS certification is the most comprehensive Medical Affairs professional development and training program in the world. The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc. We are going to break down the pros and cons of each. The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. But a MSL position is not right for everyone. The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. Privacy Policy. The BCMAS program connects you to the clinical knowledge real-world experience, and leadership skills needed to be successful within the pharmaceutical industry's clinical medical affairs / MSL space. The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. Once hired by a pharmaceutical company, they will be trained on (1) compliance rules and regulations related to interactions with HCPs and other important regulatory and compliance matters pertinent to the pharmaceutical industry to comply with PhRMA guidelines and (2) disease state and product(s) information related to the companys pipeline and currently marketed product(s). They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification? And some of the more seasoned industry veterans have found so much value in the BCMAS program, that theyre championing it within their companies. In contrast the MSLS made their program available earlier this year following a reported two-year collaboration process and after passing the MSL professional will be entitled to the credential MSL-BC. Many of the comments here are false and misleading. Thanks for sharing Jill! You will have a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS). The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs' (ACMA) BCMAS certification fee (more on that later) comes along with. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. Seems like a way to graft $ from you. But does that mean anything? The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. Becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs (BCMAS): The New Standard BCMAS was worth it!" Brian Duncan MD, BCMAS Vice President, Medical Affairs . Listen Now! meet great people and appreciate the continued online education available. Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? We are an accredited organization and take what we do very seriously as it impacts careers, company policies, etc.. You can email us directly at research@acmainfo.org. (1) completing 20 hours of continuing education credits approved by the ACMA or (2) by MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. from Asia who were Board Certified, so I decided to complete the program. With a curriculum that includes best practices across the organization, the ACMAs aim is to reinforce an integrated, cross-functional approach to medical affairs that makes medical affairs to be viewed as a true partner by other departments. A yearly membership to ACMA is approximately 2/3 the cost of MSLS ($200 vs. $290), but the outward appearance is that MSLS is a more active society and the membership includes the newly published digital MSL Journal. It should be stated that all attempts were made to write an unbiased review article, however, only going through 1 of the certification programs and exams may have made it more difficult than expected. Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! With us it's easy to find the job you want! They constantly blast promotions about this certification and how important it will be without much substantiation. The certification offered is not meant to train people, it isn't meant to help them "break in." What do the study materials cost? Board certifying medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals is critical to ensure ethical practices, compliance excellence, and public trust at this crucial time. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. It is impossible to operate in such scarcity. That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). Doing the job well requires diverse set of competencies that develop over time, often with use of industry trainings that focus on individual topics, such as advisory panels or medical communication. Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. Therefore, the chances of failing the exam are higher. Wow, those are pretty serious allegations to put out there. Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. By looking at the job postings it seems this certification is meaningless. Yes, we have more time on our hands right now! ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. To better understand the overall value of each program it is important to examine what each program provides. BCMAS MENA | Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, its worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. BCMAS allows up to 3 hours for their four-section exam which includes multiple choice, true/false, select all that apply and case study formatted questions totaling between 90-100 questions. Yes. None of the posting mention it in required or preferred qualifications. Please select your appropriate region below to learn more about becoming certified today! The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist or BCMAS is a credential that goes right up there next to your name after MD, DO, PhD or PharmD. Online, proctored by a webcam. The BCMAS provided me with a thorough knowledge of medical affairs operations, the life Several years ago many did not believe that it would be possible to have a certification that broadly sweeps small and large organizations and everything in between including all therapeutic areas. These cookies do not store any personal information. One credentialing note of differentiation here: there is an amount of verbal diarrhea when it comes to whos the first this or which company has the only that, and both credentialing bodies claim to be the worlds first and/or only fill in the blank. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. Currently the only accredited board certification for MSLs worldwide. by Michael Grahame Moore, William G. Anderson. Now in virtual format. It features data and insights from policymakers, industry and academic leaders, and patient advocates working to ensure equity, trust, and excellence in Medical Affairs professional engagements. Does it give you an advantage when applying? BCMAS offers you more than just the certification exam by including in-depth learning modules, a practice question bank, case studies, and more. #BCMAS #PACS #PRC Board Certifications in Life SciencesACMA in the Newsmedicalaffairsspecialist. industry professionals, I strongly encourage all *If you do not have a terminal degree (i. e. PhD, etc. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. Medical affairs is a growing component of Tel: +1 (201) 688-2230 I had the opportunity to Required fields are marked *. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Several Advisory board meetings held with Medical Affairs leaders and subject matter experts. CompTIA A+ is widely considered one of the go-to certificates for a well-rounded entry-level introduction to IT. A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The certification is a relatively new one, having launched in 2021. Both are serving a purpose for their intended audience. in our pharmacy industry. Achieving the BCMAS demonstrates the highest standards of knowledge and excellence in the Medical Affairs profession. Cost-benefit comparison As seen in Figure 1, MSL Society's program costs $450-$550, the BCMAS program costs $1,999, and the IFAPP program costs $8,600-$9,600. Hi Not sure if you saw this recent PR release: I'm connected on social media with the founders of the org. The growing demands on pharmaceutical medical affairs professionals as a critical interface between the health care companies and stakeholdersincluding physicians and patientsemphasizes the need to standardize and certify core competencies and practices across medical affairs teams. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. If you are planning to join Medical Affairs, I will update this community should that change. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. The MSL-BC includes only the certification exam and the onus is on the learner to try and find material to help them prep for the exam. I am recommending it for my colleagues as well. To keep your certification active, there are two paths:. Medical Liaisons help to ensure that products are utilized appropriately. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Medical affairs departments throughout the industry have thousands of executives with medical or pharmacy doctorate degrees, along with their associated credentials. I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. The path to becoming an exceptional Medical Science Liaison or Medical Affairs professional starts with BCMAS.