Do you need a license to be a medical scribe?

Per the Joint Commission, medical scribes are unlicensed individuals who assist a medical provider with documentation. The most basic requirement for being a medical scribe is a high school diploma; however, a college degree is preferable. Many programs will also require you to complete a series of training sessions in topics like the medical chart, medical coding, and HIPAA.

While medical scribes do not require a license to work, there are a variety of certifications available. The American College of Medical Scribe Specialists (ACMSS), for example, offers a Certified Medical Scribe Specialist certification, which can be earned by taking the Medical Scribe Certification and Aptitude (MSCAT) Licensing Examination. The American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group (AHDPG) also offers an accreditation exam called the Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE) , which can earn you an Apprentice Medical Scribe Profession (ASMP), or, after 200 hours on the job, a Certified Medical Scribe Professional (CMSP) credential.

For more information on medical scribing, check out this article: How does a medical scribe assist a physician?