Medical Writing Certification: The Time is Now

FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS, AMWA has promoted excellence in medical writing and communication, offering resources and education in support of that goal. AMWA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an educational mission. The association's extensive program of workshops and other opportunities allow members to benefit from and participate in the development and dissemination of information and resources across the spectrum of medical and scientific communication. This endeavor is particularly expansive when considering the various audi ences for medical writing, which range from patients to researchers to health care providers to regulatory authorities. AMWA's educational certificate program has been a cornerstone of its mission and has grown considerably over the past 30+ years, not only in terms of the numbers of workshops offered at national and chapter meetings (this year's annual conference alone will feature 100 workshops), but most recently in the number of certificates available (moving from a 2-certificate to a 9-certificate program in 2010). (1) The establishment of text-based workshop modules (with mail-in tests to earn workshop credit) has been immensely successful. The opportunity to earn the entire Essential Skills certificate will soon be available via these modules, should a person choose to use them in fulfilling the required credits.