Basic Rules

1. A candidate must take an issue spotter test and find over 70% of the mistakes.
   
   
2. If the candidate finds between 50% and 70%, s/he may either take the test again after three months, or submit an outcomes report -- either presented to them or presented by them -- and critique it. In the judgment of DMPC, a sufficiently insightful critique will earn a passing score
   
   
3. Individuals who pass this test will receive a "virtual certificate" as well as a listing (without the name of their organization) on the DMPC website "honor roll." (A brass-on-wood plaque can be ordered for $75.)
   
   
4. This certification is valid for two years, at which point a re-certification test must be taken
   
   
5. The individual may use the certification as a professional credential attesting that he or she is CORA-Certified but may only claim that his or her organization is CORA-Certified if indeed Corporate Certification, described below, is received.

In addition to the Certification rules above, here are the nine things you need to know about today's audioconference.

1. ONE person per certification test -- no team responses are allowed. If you are not taking the test officially, you can "play along at home" in a team if you prefer, of course
   
   
2. If you have questions during the test you can email to me at DiseasMgmt@aol.com (or call at 781 856 3962) and I will write a response to everybody via email, which means that...
   
   
3. ...your email should be turned on during the test, at least checked a few times
   
   
4. You need to return the answer sheet by the time which I give during the audioconference. That time will be roughly one hour after the test starts
   
   
5. You should probably complete the administrative portion of the answer sheet now if you are taking the test officially.
   
   
6. You need to delete the test after the answer sheet is turned in
   
   
7. The answers will not be distributed for obvious reasons. We will go over them during the audioconference, though
   
   
8. The rules for CORA Certification are otherwise at http://dismgmt.com/outcome_report_certification_rules.htm. Note that one item not listed is -- if you don't pass -- that a test re-take costs the same as the test today, but submitting an outcomes report and critiquing it is included.
   
   
9. Tests will be scored within two weeks. You will not get the scored tests back. You'll be notified if you pass, if you are in the "gray area," or if you don't pass. Note; If more than one person within an organization is taking the test, it is not likely that all the people in that organization will be scored at the same time. So if you don't get notified and someone else within your organization does, it doesn't mean anything other than that I can't score them all at the same time, because I have a life.
   
   
10. If you recognize one or two of the questions, it doesn't give you an unfair edge. Virtually every vendor has at least one question as do some health plans.

And if you noticed that this list of "nine things you need to know" contains ten items, you are well-positioned for success.