What is a Board Certified Medical Illustrator? 

The Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators (BCMI) administers a certification program for illustrators who seek a recognizable means of credentialing. The designation of Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) denotes this voluntarily earned credential and provides a recognizable means of signifying a practitioner’s current competency in the profession of medical illustration. Certified Medical Illustrators have passed examinations dealing with business practices, ethics, biomedical science, drawing skills, and have undergone a rigorous portfolio review.

Once earned, the CMI credential is maintained through meeting continuing education requirements designed to maintain competencies required for practice. Certification is a program endorsed by the Association of Medical Illustrators to encourage lifelong learning and to measure professional competency for those illustrators and clients who voluntarily desire such credentialing. Similar to specialty certification for physicians, the competency evaluation consists of a written test and a practicum. The BCMI objectively measures and evaluates the examination results and awards certification on successful completion.

Any practicing medical illustrator who meets the eligibility requirements may apply to become board certified and obtain the designation Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI).  Certification is for a five-year period and is renewed at the end of each period.

How does a medical illustrator become certified?

The Board of Certification administers a two-part test to verify the competency of medical illustrators. The test includes a written examination that takes approximately a half-day to complete, plus a stringent portfolio review. Eligibility for certification includes graduation from an AMI-accredited graduate program in medical and biological illustration, or five years of experience as a medical illustrator and proof of successful completion of a dissection course in human gross anatomy or its equivalent. Individual practitioners are only eligible to be an applicant for certification if (1) he/she has a degree from a recognized college/university program in medical illustration that includes a course in human gross anatomy with hands on dissection, proven by transcript; or (2) he/she has a minimum of five years full-time work experience as a medical illustrator substantiated by letters of reference from employers and proof of a college-level course in human gross anatomy with hands on dissection or its equivalent.

Why work with a Certified Medical Illustrator?

The competent practitioner performs work accurately and in the best interest of the consumer, makes correct judgments, and interacts with other professionals and customers effectively. The certification program and examination process is based on standards established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) along with it’s parent body, the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), both recognized leaders in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public.

The competent practitioner performs work accurately and in the best interest of the consumer, makes correct judgments, and interacts with other professionals and customers effectively. Competence must be demonstrated and maintained throughout the individual’s practicing life.

{ source: ami.org }