AMS Program Guidelines
Preparing for the AMS exam
Becoming Accredited in Medical Sales begins with the AMS Core Curriculum. Anyone preparing for the AMS exam should read and study each Core Curriculum course. The progress checks and course test for each course are particularly helpful for exam preparation. In addition, the candidate can test their own mastery of each course using the online prep tests on HIDA’s AMS Website (www.hidaeducation.org) (license required).
The AMS exam covers content from the 13-course Core Curriculum. Although completion of the Core Curriculum is not a prerequisite for testing, it is highly unlikely that someone would pass the AMS exam without studying this material.
Registering to take the AMS exam
Online testing for individual candidates
The AMS exam is administered online at frequently-scheduled testing dates and times. To sign up for a scheduled exam, download the AMS exam application and send it to support@hida.org no less than two weeks prior to the testing date.
Online testing for your team
HIDA’s staff can also work with licensee companies to schedule additional exam times to suit the needs of specific sales teams. To do so, a company manager or trainer must contact support@hida.org at least one month prior to the desired test date, and exam applications for each candidate must be received no less than 2 weeks prior to the test date.
Proctoring requirements for online testing
All online testing requires an in-person proctor to monitor the exam process. The candidate or his/her manager may arrange for proctoring, and exam applications must be signed by the person who will proctor the exam. The proctor may be a company manager, supervisor, trainer, or a member of the HR staff. A proctor may not be a family member or co-worker. HIDA must approve the proctor choice and reserves the right to contact requests proctors and to reject requests for a specific proctor.
The proctor must visually monitor the exam-taker(s) while they are taking the exam. The proctor’s role is to ensure the integrity of the testing process by verifying:
- The identity of the exam candidate
- That the exam is taken without use of course materials, notes, or use of online resources
- That the exam content remains confidential
- The test is working properly and Internet connectivity is maintained
Taking the exam
To take the AMS exam online, candidates will log on to the HIDA AMS Website (www.hidaeducation.org) using their regular ID and password. The exam will be available for 90 minutes total, only during the scheduled exam timeframe. The exam includes 95 multiple-choice questions. The candidate automatically receives his or her grade after completing the exam. A passing grade is 72% or higher.
Retaking the exam
Candidates who do not pass the exam may apply to retest by completing a new exam application and submitting the appropriate retesting fee. A minimum four-week period is required between exam attempts, to allow each candidate to adequately review the material before retesting. To protect exam-takers’ privacy, HIDA publishes only the names of candidates who pass the exam and does not publish the names of those who do not.
Maintaining accreditation through AMS points
Passing the AMS exam earns accreditation for one year beginning January 1 or July 1 following the exam (whichever comes first). After that initial accreditation period, accredited professionals must earn 6 AMS points each year to maintain the AMS designation. Points do not roll-over from one year to the next. This ensures that accredited reps stay current and continuously seek opportunities to increase their competence through professional education.
AMS points can be earned in several ways:
- AMS Masters Curriculum courses: Each Masters course is worth 1 AMS point. To earn the point, the AMS professional should log on to the AMS website, study the course, and take the online test for that course. A passing score of 80% is required for credit. If the tester fails the test, he or she may study the course further and take the test again.
- HIDA MedSurg Conference & ExpoTM: Most education sessions at the HIDA trade show qualify for AMS points. An AMS professional can earn the full 6 points required for the year in just two days at the HIDA MedSurg Conference & ExpoTM. To receive points, the AMS-holder must fill out an evaluation form for the session and include their name and company on the form.
- HIDA-approved training programs: HIDA can approve other training programs for credit on a case-by-base basis. To request credit, the AMS-holder should submit a form available on the HIDA website and provide proof of attendance. The program content must be relevant to medical products sales. HIDA has sole authority to determine whether a program qualifies for AMS points.
Lapse of accreditation
AMS-holders who fail to earn the required 6 AMS points by the deadline will lose their accreditation, and all rights and privileges associated with this distinction will be revoked. If an AMS-holder cannot complete the point requirement by the deadline, he or she may, in extenuating circumstances, request an extension during which AMS point requirements will continue to accrue. If accreditation lapses without a request for extension, the former AMS-holder must retake the AMS exam to become accredited again. Contact support@hida.org for further information.
For further information, see the AMS Frequently Asked Questions.
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