BCMAS® Program Information
Let ACMA guide you with our comprehensive, best-in-class medical affairs and medical science liaisons (MSLs) board certification program, equipping you with the expertise and skills to gain a competitive edge in the industry.
What is BCMAS®?
The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS®) program is the best path you can choose to enter the Medical Science Liaisons (MSL) /Medical Affairs industry or to elevate your existing career as an MSL.
This comprehensive, 20-module, self-paced, e-learning, online program trains you on the core competencies crucial for success as a medical affairs or medical science liaison professional. With BCMAS certification, you demonstrate that you've mastered the industry standard of knowledge through intensive study, self-assessment, and evaluation.
BCMAS® Background
Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They may have backgrounds in nursing, pharmacy, medicine, or a PhD in the life and physical sciences. Medical affairs professionals work in various settings such as the pharmaceutical industry, medical device, diagnostics and biotechnology companies. They may work with medical education companies, or medical advertising agencies. Some work at Clinical Research Organizations (CROs); Site Management Organizations (SMOs); independent research and development organizations; or organizations involved in the management of clinical trials. These varying backgrounds and settings contribute to the unique knowledge and diverse expertise of the medical affairs or MSL professional.
The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) has developed the first and only recognized US and International Board Certification Program for medical affairs and MSL professionals in order to create an internationally-accepted standard of knowledge, education, and experience by which medical affairs will be recognized as Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialists (BCMAS®) in the life sciences and medical communities. The standards upon which this certification program is based have been set forth by this organization to promote recognition and continuing excellence in the ethical conduct of clinical trials.
Learn more about BCMAS eligibility criteriaACMA developed the BCMAS® Certification program to evaluate the knowledge, understanding, and application of the best practices for the profession, including the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the ethical principles that guide good practices within medical affairs and in alignment with the principles of the Nuremberg Code, the Belmont Report and the Declaration of Helsinki. This Examination does NOT test on state, provincial, Ministry of Health, local, or institutional policy.
Meet the experts who developed BCMASBCMAS® By the Numbers
20
the number of learning modules included in the program
06
the number of months afforded to complete the program
40
the average number of hours it takes to complete the program
80+
the number of countries where our graduates reside
8000+
the number of certified BCMAS professionals worldwide
05
the number of attempts allowed for each post-quiz
04
the number of attempts allowed on the board exam
01
the number of clicks required to elevate your career
BCMAS® Program Curriculum
The BCMAS program covers life sciences understanding across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and emerging areas like AI and blockchain, regulatory and compliance issues, core technical competencies in pharmacoeconomics, clinical trials, and drug development, key Medical Affairs processes such as publications and advisory boards, as well as essential soft skills for effective communication and presentations.
Life Sciences Understanding
Covers traditional pharmaceutical, medical devices, and diagnostics industries, as well as emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology
Regulatory & Compliance
Focuses on ethical and compliance issues relevant to any Medical Affairs professional
Core Technical Competencies
Provides a comprehensive understanding of pharmacoeconomics, clinical trial design, evidence-based medicine, drug development, REMS, and pharmacovigilance
Processes
Centers on important functional areas within Medical Affairs, such as compliant publication practices, advisory boards, continuing medical education, investigator sponsored research, and post-marketing studies
Soft Skills
Provides basic presentation and communication skills essential for any effective Medical Affairs professional
BCMAS® Program Structure
Each of the 20 BCMAS modules includes:
Pre-Quiz (Optional)
Establishes your existing knowledge of the specific module's content
Module Content
Consists of multiple sections that vary from module to module
Post-Quiz
Determines how well you've absorbed and retained the module content
Time needed to complete
The BCMAS is a self-paced program, and you have six months of access to complete the board certification. On average, most learners complete the program within 2-3 months (approximately 40 hours). You will be given 6 months to complete the program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Align the direction and goals of a Medical Affairs organization by better understanding the cross-functional areas that relate to Medical Affairs. These areas include regulatory affairs, clinical development, marketing, compliance, and drug development
Understand health economics outcomes research (HEOR) as it relates to Medical Affairs
Learn about clinical trial design and evidence-based medicine (EBM)
Become an expert at interpreting medical literature
Broaden your knowledge in diagnostics and medical devices
Understand publication planning and regulations
What's included in the BCMAS® program?
Documentation & Policies