Hospice Medical Director Certification Board®

What Hospice Medical Director Certification Board® does

Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB) is an independent, non-profit certifying body founded in 2012 and headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois. It administers the only U.S. credential (HMDC) specifically designed for hospice medical directors and hospice physicians, validated through a Practice (Job) Analysis Study and aligned to five competency domains: Patient and Family Care, Medical Knowledge, Medical Leadership and Communication, Professionalism, and Regulatory, Compliance & Quality Improvement. The 165-question computer-based initial certification examination is administered at 300+ PSI Candidate Services assessment centers nationwide using psychometrically supported processes (modified Angoff method, scaled scoring on a 0–200 scale with passing at 100). HMDCB is NCCA-accredited and recognized by CHAP, The Joint Commission, and AAHPM (2024 Presidential Citation); California bill AB2673 references the credential.

The organization's product ecosystem spans two platform layers: the Application Portal at achieve.hmdcb.org (built on TopClass by WBT Systems) for initial certification applications, and the Certification Center LMS at learn.hmdcb.org (powered by OasisLMS) for the 2024-launched Continuing Certification Program (CCP), annual longitudinal assessments, webinars, Coffee Chats, and an online discussion board. Revenue mechanics combine a one-time, tiered initial exam fee ($1,250 Early Bird / $1,350 Regular / $1,450 Final), an annual $199 CCP renewal, $200 reinstatement fees, $50 educational product sales (Expanded Content Blueprint), and advertising/sponsorship revenue from sale of mailing lists and webinar sponsorships to a base of 1,300+ certified physicians. Go-to-market is a sales-led motion anchored by AAHPM and other professional society partnerships, employer discount programs, and email/webinar-driven physician recruitment, with a 1-10 person operating team.

Name

Hospice Medical Director Certification Board®

Legal name

Hospice Medical Director Certification Board

Website

https://hmdcb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB) is an independent, non-profit certifying body that administers the only U.S. credential (HMDC) specifically for hospice medical directors and hospice physicians, combining an initial psychometric examination, an annual continuing certification program, and a certificant community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Healthcare Certification

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Psychometric Standards, Test Development & Validation Authorities (EDADAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

Keywords

• Physician certification programs
• Hospice medical directors
• Continuing medical education
• Professional credentialing
• Healthcare certification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Schaumburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Initial Certification Examination Fees: One-time examination application fees with three pricing tiers: Early Bird ($1,250), Regular ($1,350), and Final ($1,450). The fee includes a digital copy of the Expanded Content Blueprint. Discounts available for employers certifying multiple physicians.
2. Continuing Certification Program (CCP) Annual Renewal: Annual renewal fee of $199 covering access to the longitudinal assessment, HMDCB webinars and Coffee Chats, online discussion board, and discounts on select CME opportunities from partners.
3. Reinstatement Fees: $200 reinstatement fee for certificants who did not meet annual CCP requirements, available once every 4-year period in addition to completing current year's CCP requirements.
4. Educational Products Sales: Sale of the HMDCB Expanded Content Blueprint for $50 (on-demand digital product). Included at no additional cost with initial application fee.
5. Advertising & Sponsorship Revenue: Revenue from webinar sponsorships, sponsored emails to certificant mailing list, and sale of mailing lists to external organizations. Custom packages available for organizations to reach 1,300+ hospice physicians.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HMDCB administers a hospice medical director certification program consisting of an initial computer-based 165-question examination delivered at PSI testing centers and an annual Continuing Certification Program (CCP) longitudinal assessment. The organization also operates an online Application Portal (TopClass) and a Certification Center LMS (OasisLMS) that supports webinars, Coffee Chats, an online discussion board, and supplementary educational products such as the Expanded Content Blueprint. Certification is recognized by CHAP, The Joint Commission, and AAHPM, and governed by NCCA standards.

Product overview

HMDCB operates as a unified certification platform consisting of two core programs: the Initial Certification Exam (computer-based examination at PSI testing centers) and the Continuing Certification Program (CCP) launched in 2024 with annual longitudinal assessment. Supporting infrastructure includes the Application Portal (TopClass-based system at achieve.hmdcb.org) for initial candidates and the Certification Center (OasisLMS-powered platform at learn.hmdcb.org) for ongoing access to educational content. The product ecosystem encompasses educational modules including webinars, Coffee Chats, and an online discussion board through the HMDCB Community, plus supplementary products like the Expanded Content Blueprint ($50), annual longitudinal assessments, employer discount programs, and partner events. The Initial Certification Exam ($1,250-$1,450 depending on window) and CCP annual renewal ($199) represent the primary revenue-generating certification products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Initial Certification Exam Computer-based 165-question multiple-choice examination (150 scored) administered at PSI testing centers across the U.S., covering five competency domains for hospice medical directors. Candidates have a 3-hour time limit and must achieve a scaled passing score of 100 on a 0–200 scale. Priced at $1,250 (Early Bird), $1,350 (Regular), or $1,450 (Final) per application window.
• Continuing Certification Program (CCP) Annual longitudinal assessment program for certified hospice physicians requiring completion of 30 assessment items with an 80% competency threshold, attestation to the Code of Professional Conduct, and a $199 annual renewal fee. Includes access to webinars, Coffee Chats, the online discussion board, and partner CME discounts. Open-book, untimed, with questions re-answerable until competency is achieved.
• Expanded Content Blueprint Detailed educational resource for candidates preparing for the initial certification examination or longitudinal assessment, offering five content domain outlines, recommended preparatory resources, and sample questions per domain. Available for $50 standalone purchase or included at no additional cost with the initial application fee.
• HMDCB Reinstatement Reinstatement offering for certificants who missed annual CCP requirements. Available once every 4-year period for a $200 fee, which is in addition to completing the current year's CCP requirements and paying the annual renewal fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2019, nearly 75% of physicians who took the exam said they did so to be recognized for their knowledge and skills in hospice medicine.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• PSI Candidate ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationHMDCB's testing partner for administering the computer-based certification examination. Provides over 300 assessment centers across the US for exam delivery. Uses modified Angoff procedure and psychometric support for exam development.
• WBT Systems (TopClass)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloper of TopClass eLearning application used for HMDCB's online application portal (achieve.hmdcb.org).
• OasisLMScoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform powering HMDCB's Certification Center learning management system (learn.hmdcb.org) for delivering continuing education, webinars, Coffee Chats, and the annual longitudinal assessment.
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary professional organization partner. AAHPM recommended HMDCB certification to Congressman for hospice program integrity. AAHPM provides self-study products and HPMD exam prep. HMDCB Board includes AAHPM Liaison. AAHPM awarded HMDCB Presidential Citation in 2024.
• Weatherbee ResourcescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading provider of hospice consulting services and educational resources. Provides HMDCB certificants and applicants a 10% discount on 2026 events including Hospice Physician Compliance Conference, GIP Level of Care Intensive, and Hospice Regulatory Boot Camp.
• GentivacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of HMDCB webinar series. National hospice provider whose leadership participates in HMDCB webinars as faculty.
• nVoqcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of HMDCB webinar series.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)minorOthersFederal agency whose Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and regulations are central to HMDCB examination content. Referenced as resource for exam preparation.
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)minorOthersNonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs. Referenced as exam preparation resource.
• Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)minorOthersOrganization providing webinars and resources referenced for exam preparation.
• Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin (Fast Facts)minorOthersProvides peer-reviewed Fast Facts on palliative care topics referenced as exam preparation resource.
• AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care MedicineminorOthersProfessional association for physicians in long-term care settings. Referenced as resource for hospice medical directors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM): ABIM administers the Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) subspecialty certification, the primary alternative pathway to the HMDC credential. Both organizations certify physician competency in hospice and palliative medicine, making ABIM the most direct competitor in this specialty.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): NBRC is a comparable-scale healthcare professional certification body that develops and administers credentials for respiratory therapists. It represents a similar operating model (specialty certification, computer-based testing, ongoing continuing competency) at a comparable size tier.
• Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR): CDR is the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, administering RD and specialist credentials. Like HMDCB, it operates as an independent credentialing body with NCCA-accredited programs, computer-based examinations, and continuing competency requirements.
• Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC): HPCC credentials hospice and palliative nurses and other interdisciplinary team members. It shares HMDCB's hospice/palliative credentialing focus but targets nursing and allied health professionals rather than physicians.

Broad incumbents

• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM): AAHPM is the leading professional society for hospice and palliative medicine physicians and runs the HPM fellowship pathway that feeds the ABMS HPM subspecialty certification. It is also HMDCB's flagship strategic partner and awarded HMDCB a 2024 Presidential Citation.
• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): ABMS is the parent organization of multiple physician specialty boards including ABIM, ABFM, and others that offer HPM subspecialty certification. It represents the established incumbent structure in physician board certification against which HMDCB's standalone credential is positioned.
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA): AOA offers osteopathic physician board certification including HPM subspecialty certification, representing an alternative specialty-board pathway comparable to ABMS for DOs practicing hospice medicine.

Emerging players

• Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC): CAPC provides palliative care training, education, and tools to clinicians and health systems. Its educational catalog is referenced as an HMDCB exam preparation resource, positioning it as an adjacent ecosystem player rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO): NHPCO is the largest U.S. membership organization for hospice and palliative care programs and providers. It is referenced as an exam preparation resource for HMDCB candidates and shapes hospice industry standards that inform certification content.

Others

• National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA): NCCA is the accreditation body under the Institute for Credentialing Excellence that accredits certification programs including HMDCB's. It is the regulator/accreditor of HMDCB rather than a competitor, but it shapes the standards HMDCB must meet.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hmdcb

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hospice Medical Director Certification Board®