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Scribe Education Approval Program

What is Education Program Approval?

The Medical Scribe program approval process was instituted by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) to encourage adoption of AHDI’s Medical Scribe Model Curriculum, maintain sound educational programming, produce competent entry-level medical scribes, and assure consistency and high-quality outcomes for healthcare documentation education. Programs must comply with specific educational and institutional criteria as established by AHDI. There is no formal accreditation process for medical scribe programs; however, AHDI program approval is regarded by industry employers as an emerging benchmark for job-ready workforce candidates.

Education Approval Governing Bodies

AHDI’s Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP) evaluates programs that have voluntarily opted to submit their scribe program and curriculum for approval and determines whether such programs comply with AHDI’s Medical Scribe Model Curriculum. AHDI’s National Leadership Board has oversight over the ACCP. The ACCP has the authority to manage the approval program according to the policies and procedures approved by the Board.

Approved Programs

AHDI recommends approved programs to all potential students seeking an education in the healthcare documentation industry. A successful career starts with a solid education, and students are encouraged to analyze their options carefully. AHDI-approved educational programs may display the approved program logo to denote their approval status and must adhere to the guidelines in the Medical Scribe Manual for advertising approval status.

A Program’s approval period expires 3 years from the last day in the quarter in which the program was approved. For example, a program approved at a third quarter meeting in 2023 is approved through September 30, 2026. For new applicants, the approval period of 3 years starts from the point at which they first become Approved. For renewals receiving Renewal of Approval, the approval period of 3 years starts from the quarterly date in which their renewal expired.

Medical Scribe Model Curriculum

The Medical Scribe Model Curriculum was developed by AHDI to assist educational institutions in the development of Medical Scribe educational programs. The Medical Scribe Model Curriculum incorporates competencies profile for scribe healthcare documentation into an educational program outline. The curriculum materials are intended solely as a guide and carry no explicit or implicit assurances of approval. However, a program intending to achieve program approval must be based on the Medical Scribe Model Curriculum.

 

The Medical Scribe Model Curriculum, which was released on November 1, 2023. Click to download a complimentary copy.

 

Getting Started

Download a flowchart of the application process:

Complete information regarding the education approval process may be found in the Medical Scribe Education Program Approval Manual.

 

Program Approval Fees

Approval Administrative Fees
(Fees are subject to change)
AHDI Educational
Member Fee
Regular
Fee
Preliminary Program Assessment $100 (waived)
$100 (waived)
Self Study Application $1,200 $1,500
Annual Report Included with Self Study fee Included with Self Study fee
Approval and Re-Approval Pending Change Extension $100 $100
Appeal $500 $750
Program Renewal
(every 3 years & preliminary program assessment not required)
$1,200 $1,500

AHDI Educational membership is $200 per year. To view the benefits of membership, please click here. Membership in AHDI is not required for a program to apply for, and obtain, Approved Program status.

ACCP Quarterly Meetings & Deadlines

Quarterly Meeting: March 9, 2024
Self-Study Application Deadline: January 13, 2024
Approval Pending Change Deadline: February 10, 2024
Annual Report due: February 10, 2024

Quarterly Meeting: June 8, 20224

Self-Study Application Deadline: April 20, 2024
Approval Pending Change Deadline: May 17, 2024
Annual Report due: May 17, 2024

Quarterly Meeting: September 14, 20224

Self-Study Application Deadline: July 19, 2024
Approval Pending Change Deadline: August 16, 2024
Annual Report due: August 16, 2024
Quarterly Meeting: December 14, 2024
Self-Study Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
Approval Pending Change Deadline: November 15, 2024
Annual Report due: November 15, 2024

Frequently Used Documents

Medical Scribe Education Program Approval Manual

Medical Scribe Model Curriculum

Appendix C Medical Scribe Preliminary Programs Assessment

Appendix D Medical Scribe Program Source Sequence Grid

Appendix E Medical Scribe Required Textbooks, Materials, and Resources Table

Appendix F Medical Scribe Program Curriculum Spreadsheet

Appendix G Medical Scribe Annual Report

 

Questions

All communications regarding the ACCP Approval Process should be directed to:

AHDI Education Program Coordinator
800-982-2182 x102
edapproval@ahdionline.org