Provider Enrollment

Your Guide to Triple Certification

By Summer Bloise, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM

We are pleased to announce that applications for the Certified Provider Enrollment Specialist (CPES) Exam are now officially open! As professionals working in credentialing and provider enrollment, you already understand that attention to detail is paramount in our field. That’s why it’s no surprise we have received a flurry of inquiries regarding the first and only certification for a provider enrollment specialist — the CPES.

Let's break down some crucial information that will help you navigate this exciting opportunity, especially if you are already certified and are considering dual or triple certification.

Recertification Basics

• Single Certification (CPMSM® or CPCS®)
  Requires 30 continuing education (CE) hours every three years. Of those, 15 must be NAMSS-approved.
• Dual Certification (CPMSM® + CPCS® or CPES)
  Requires 45 CE hours every three years, with 20 from NAMSS-approved sources. Your existing certification cycle dates remain the same.
• Triple Certification (CPMSM® + CPCS® + CPES)
  Requires 55 CE hours every three years, with 30 from NAMSS-approved sources.

One of the most frequently asked questions is about the recertification process for medical services professionals (MSPs) who already hold one or two certifications and wish to expand their credentials to achieve dual or triple certification. For those of you who currently hold a single certification, either the Certified Professional in Medical Services Management (CPMSM®) or the Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS®), the recertification process will require you to earn a total of 30 hours of continuing education (CE) within the three-year cycle.

Importantly, of those 30 hours, 15 must come from NAMSS-approved CE sources. This ensures you are receiving quality and relevant education. When a single-certified individual decides to pursue a dual certification, the good news is that your existing certification cycle dates remain intact.

If you obtain dual certification, you are required to accumulate 45 hours of CEs within the three-year cycle, with 20 of those hours coming from NAMSS-approved sources. This adjustment allows you to efficiently manage your continuing education requirements while expanding your qualifications.

For those aiming for triple certification, holding the CPMSM®, CPCS®, and the new CPES certification, the requirements ramp up slightly.

You will be required to obtain a total of 55 hours of CEs spread across the three-year recertification cycle. Out of these, 30 hours must be NAMSS-approved. It’s important to note that the requirements for achieving and maintaining dual or triple certification will start only after you have completed your first full three-year cycle as a dual or triple-certified individual.

This is particularly encouraging for those of you looking to advance your certifications. For example, if you obtain your CPES certification in 2025 and your dual CPMSM® and CPCS® recertification is due in 2026, you will only be required to complete the 45 CE hours necessary for dual certification. You won’t need to meet the 55 CE hour requirement for triple certification until your next cycle, which would end in 2029.

Hopefully, this detailed explanation clarifies the recertification processes and supports your decision to advance your credentials. Good luck on your certification journey — your expertise matters!

Summer Bloise, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM

Summer Bloise, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM, serves as the executive director of managed care, provider enrollment and revenue optimization at UNM Health System in Albuquerque, NM. With over 16 years of experience in medical staff services. She is passionate about fostering high-performing, collaborative teams that exceed organizational goals.  Summer currently serves as the CCN Vice Chair and CPES Test Development Chair.