Board Certification for MSLs

I'm an MSL thinking about getting a board certification in medical affairs. There's a program I've been hearing about called the BCMAS program. It's offered by the ACMA. Has anyone done it? I heard that they will be requiring it in a few years.

 

I actually did it. Great program. Cost wasn't too bad. I heard they raised it to 2000 now

 

I finished the BCMAS program in September. I would recommend it. I started a new position as a medical science liaison back in May. A colleague who had already done the program recommended it to me because most of my in-house training focused only on my specific disease state.

 

Ya I heard they're going to require BCMAS soon

 

If you read the boards from most of the professional organizations (like ACCP, etc.), you would find most of the opinion about the BCMAS is negative.

Name one company that has required the BCMAS as a credential for hire? The organization behind the certification, ACMA, is a profit-making institution and has no recognition by any professional organization like ACCP, ASHP or AMA.

Most of the input from individuals has been highly skeptical. Until some large, influential player in industry absolutely requires a BCMAS as a valid credential for hire/promotion/tenure decisions, it appears to be yet another money making scheme to wrestle money from those practicing clinicians seeking to get into industry.

I manage the medical affairs division for a pharma company, and right now, we're not buying it--at all.

 

Ok seriously. Are these posts even legit. People are posting on this thread within minutes of each other..something is odd. Anyway I did BCMAS too and gave it to my MSL team. Great program. And very challenging. But they should open it up to non doctoral people

 

Relax.. It's just an educational program

 

actually there are at least 5 companies now who do it for their new hires. so you are incorrect.

 

Name them.

 

google it moron. its on some job requirements.

 

msl society is pretending to be non for profit when really the only people that work there are sam dyer and his wife heliana

 

Hi all,

Thanks for all your input, so I'm a physician, stopped my practice in middle of residency due to persnal reasons and can't get in the system again. Wanted to know whether it is useful and good or not to have the BCMAS. Currently I'm doing clinical trial management and dying to get into the MSL position. I'm qualified and have allthe good background, but you all sound well rounded and experienced. Would it help me?

 

So I've done the BCMAS program and found that it was very helpful in preparing me for the interview and helped me come up to speed fast. The ACMA has a pretty impressive board too. I would highly recommend it.

 

You're right being an MSL or Medical Affairs person requires soft skills but most jobs do. The BCMAS program is certainly not the be all and end all but it gives people broad training and knowledge. Personally, as a PharmD this really helped me. No one is requiring it now but I know that tons of companies are paying for it.

 

Well it seems like ACMA is making a big splash. They are working in South America and were just on ABC news radio which is pretty cool actually. I'm an MSL based in Canada and did BCMAS. It was a very comprehensive program. definitely recommend!

 

Look, I used to intern for ACMA. I can tell you hands down that over 75% of the people that do bcmas are in pharma, they're not trying to 'break in' so I'm not sure where you're getting your info from. The company was definitely legit and I learned a lot. You might think it's a scam but I can tell you that if I was a betting lady, it going to be required in about 2-3 years if not sooner. There are like 4000 people registered! Do the math. They've got a lot of cash and are becoming very influential.

 

I have been in pharma for 20 years and have hired people for the last 7. This certification is useless. I want someone either with real experience or therapeutic knowledge. Going to a meeting and getting a certificate doesn’t get me jack squat
But hey if you want to just throw around money I know these clowns will be happy to take it

 

I did the BCMAS program through my company. It was an excellent program. So not sure why you're so against it
Our company bought it for all of our medical affairs group including all MSLs

 

I just completed it.. I work with celgene. Exam was tough but I just found out that I passed. Learned a lot as well Definitely worth it. BCMAS was great

 

Hi, getting ready to take the BCMAS board exam. Has anyone here taken it? Any pointers? I've been an MSL for 9 with Pfizer so I think it should be OK but there is a lot of material!!