A BCMAS certification is recognized around the world. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). 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. The BCMAS certification is the most comprehensive Medical Affairs professional development and training program in the world. I can briefly share my experience with the ACMA program which I found quite worthwhile: Loved it! 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. These officials will discuss the importance of establishing certification and credentialing standards for medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. Congrats on passing the exam and getting certified. Becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs (BCMAS): The new standard These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Background Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds. This means that as an MSL, you will consistently reach out to people with the intent to educate them about your company and its products. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. I would recommend it. Deepa Sunkari, MD, LME, BCMAS - LinkedIn Pharmacology lecturer for University of the Philippines, and a clinician with expertise on Hypertension and primary care, Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist | Matuto pa tungkol sa karanasan sa trabaho, edukasyon, mga koneksyon, at higit pa ni Raymond Oliva, MD, FPCP, BCMAS sa pamamagitan ng pagpunta sa kanyang profile sa LinkedIn It is designed to assist in the professional development of every MSL. Several Advisory board meetings held with Medical Affairs leaders and subject matter experts. BCMAS established to create standards for knowledge, business skills and professional practice in the pharmaceutical industry. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. I thought it was interesting considering an acquaintance of mine (a former-MSL now in a non-field MedAffairs role) mentioned he didn't know anyone that cared for that certification. This button displays the currently selected search type. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. Associate Global Medical Director, Novo Nordisk. A business opportunity with a 50/50 chance of succeeding. $700. 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. 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. But the BCMAS credential has a unique appeal for medical affairs executives, many of whom dont have a formal medical doctorate. To better understand the overall value of each program it is important to examine what each program provides. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. I applied to a lot of industry positions in the past and never got an interview. Now in virtual format. You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams. Absolutely agree Eric! Given the requirement facing most CPAs that they complete an average of 40 hours of continuing professional education per year, combined with the flexibility inherent in technologybased training delivery, multimedia continuing professional education courses would seem to hold a definite allure for CPAs. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, it's worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. 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). It is designed to recognize excellence among those who wish to specialize as experts in medical affairs. I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid. so though I expand my career. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. Recertification Option 2 : Retaking and passing the board exam But the trend has unmistakably been a steady increase in moving the BCMAS toward the industry standard. Speaking for myself, I can already tell a shift in mentality towards clinical development and regulatory affairs following the BCMAS modules. I work for the ACMA social media staff and was made aware of these threads on reddit. As more medical affairs executives undergo the certification program, theyre seeing the value in it and recommending it to their peers. The BCMAS seal means your medical affairs & MSL team has been rigorously evaluated by the leading . It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. Due to the newness of the certification, there are very few people that have the MSL-BC credential, therefore, it is not well recognized yet. BCMAS was worth it!" Brian Duncan MD, BCMAS Vice President, Medical Affairs . Program Policies | ACMA BCMAS is a Board Certification accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training /American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI). #msl #boardcertification #bcmas #mslbc #medicalaffairs #msls #acma. Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. Online board certification program meant for medical science liaisons (MSL), medical directors, medical affairs professionals, medical/drug information, HEOR, pharmacovigilance, etc.. Includes 20 preparatory modules, case studies, and practice questions to help you best prepare for the board exam. 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. Thoughts on BCMAS? : r/MedicalScienceLiaison - reddit I'm leaning towards the former. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives What Happened to Expanded Access to New Medicines. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. ", Lubna El-Najjar 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. Does it give you an advantage when applying? Just perform a quick search for BCMAS on LinkedIn and the results will show the numerous industry professionals using the BCMAS credential in their titles. This article is meant to help you make that decision. Home Blog Articles Becoming Board Certified in Medical Affairs (BCMAS): The new standard in Pharma. Organization behind the MSL Certification: The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. BCMAS or Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is the first and only certified program designed for MSL professionals who want to be a Board Certified MSL. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for A Tale of 2 MSL Board Certifications: What You Should Know - Part 2 They feel that having the board certification attached to their names gives them a leg up in both hiring and career development. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification. With the growing number of professionals and one of the most varied entry experience requisites of any career field all funneling into a single job description it was certain that the time would come that a board certification would be needed. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Topics include: Maximize your MSL teams emotional intelligence and how to use it to build relationships. Seems like a way to graft $ from you. industry. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Exam Information, Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program The National Electrical Manufacturing Association, or NEMA, enclosure standards denote where whole-house surge protectors can be installed. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Would anyone that has completed the program recommended it? So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. The BCMAS helped me to tie together my story as a candidate.. Both are official board certifications, not certificate programs meaning the idea isnt to simply learn about being an MSL the goal is to prove you know what the credential specifically implies, BCMAS leaning towards overall medical affairs (MA) and MSL-BC focusing on the MSL career specifically. 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. See previous posts: https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cfurwp/is_a_bcmas_a_good_idea_if_you_have_no_previous/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/diiyry/is_the_bcmas_worth_it/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cnlgqp/how_many_of_you_are_board_certified_by_acma_is/. diagnostic company that is focused on data generation and data dissemination to The truth is, I had a pretty cushy academic experience. An important caveat is that, unlike the BCMAS program, with MSL-BC the additional cost to retake the exam can be as high as $400. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Awesome article! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. ProctorU is utilized by both organizations for proctoring of the exam and both are completed under timed conditions following an identity verification process. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Take the first steps toward achieving the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. It's always a challenge to transition from academia to industry. Part 2 of this short series will dive deep into the specifics of each of the certifications, including detailed descriptions of both programs, cost of the certification and exam fees and who is eligible to sit for each exam (spoiler alert: it is not the same group of test takers). medical affairs and MSL colleagues to enroll in BCMAS. Myth: is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Some are looking to add to their personal understanding of medical affairs role in the life sciences industry. The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. ACMA is proud to offer scholarships to all of our eligible enrollees. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. It is meant to establish uniform standards for a profession that we advocate for (namely MSLs/med affairs professionals). Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy | Site Map. MSL-BC requires this be accomplished every 3 years while BCMAS has an every 5 year requirement. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program The exam has a 3 hour time limit. Get your Medical Science Liaison (MSL) & medical affairs team COVID-19 ready, Ensure compliant & ethical field medical affairs team interactions during COVID-19, Enhance trust with the medical (and patient) communities and your accredited medical affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team. What do you guys/gals think? Toll Free: +1 (855) 255-7137, Rio de Janieiro St 212, Suite 151 Sao Paulo, SP 01240-010 Brasil, 202, Jai Omkar, Plot No. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. Medical Science Liaison Certification that You Should Get I am recommending it for my colleagues as well. But high performers can see their salaries climb above $171,000. 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. BCMAS is the first and only accredited program, as well as the longest standing MSL/Medical Affairs Certification program in the industry. They want to exhibit their dedication to the task with something tangible. Emanuel clarified his point: Its an opportunity to do things that you had never considered, or that industry professionals, I strongly encourage all Cookie Notice And while some Americans are waiting in line to get their COVID-19 vaccine, others are cautious due to doubts about the rapid vaccine development process and questions that have plagued the FDA about whether clinical data from pharmaceutical companies are being reviewed thoroughly. 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. Either way you will be watched and recorded while sitting for the test. Medical affairs is the division within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. About 100 questions in total (Multiple choice, case studies and True/False). Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. sciences industry, cross-functionality within life science companies and the regulatory and ethical requirements of medical science liaisons. I have been authorized to respond as ACMA. 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. 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). Hughes Receives Board Certification as Medical Affairs Specialist healthcare providers (HCPs). and our In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS). Many pharmaceutical industry futurists believe that certification and credentialing via the BCMAS program will be the norm in years to come as regulators push for higher standards of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, which has received negative attention due to the opioid crisis and other debacles in years past. Medical Affairs, talks about the organizations certification process. Videory can be a good size for data scientists; enough other data scientists are around to provide mentorship and support, but the team is still small enough that you can get to know everyone. Never allow a serious crisis go to waste. So said former Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of MSL launch readiness is an important skill and many medical affairs teams intently focus on the activities that will be most important when preparing for a products launch. The average medical science liaisons salary is $136,000. 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. It has left me, a medical science liaison of less than two years, feeling more confident and equipped. 5 Myth Busters: MSL Board Certification - Medical Affairs How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring Format- 100% Online, Self-Paced, Audio Time Needed to Complete - 40 hours Exam Required- Yes (online) The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc..) which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry.