There are currently two national tests for Anesthesia Certification.  They are both very good tests and my recommendation is to review each to determine which best suits your particular needs. 

Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC) -  BMSC Certification Home Page

BMSC is an organization of coders, clinicians and compliance professionals dedicated to the evaluation, recognition anad advancement of professional medical coders.  Whether you are currently a certified coder or not, BMSC addresses the need for recognition and continuing education in YOUR SPECIALTY!  BMSC also offers two levels of certification, Specialty Coding Professional (SCP), aimed at coders with two years experience or less, AND Advanced Coding Specialist (ACS) aimed at coders with more than two years experience OR a higher level of understanding in their specialty.

Specialty coders do not need to be knowledgeable in every area of coding, and BMSC recognizes this fact.  Whether you are a physician, work in a physician's office, or are a facility coder, successful completion of the BMSC qualifying examination in YOUR SPECIALTY will certify you as knowledgeable in your field.  Each two years, BMSC coders are re-tested on changes that have occurred in YOUR SPECIALTY over a two-year period since the initial test was taken.

Currently, the BMSC offers examination in the following specialties:

Specialty Coding Professional (SCP):	Advanced Coding Specialist (ACS):
Anesthesia Cardiology Emergency Medicine Family Practice/Pediatrics Gastroenterology General Surgery Obstetrics/Gynecology Orthopedics Pain Management Radiology Urology	Anesthesia Cardiology Emergency Medicine Evaluation and Management Auditing Family Practice/Pediatrics Gastroenterology General Surgery Obstetrics and Gynecology Orthopedics Pain Management Radiology Urology

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) - AAPC Certification Home Page

AAPC is an organization of coders, clinicians and compliance professionals dedicated to the evaluation, recognition anad advancement of professional medical coders. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) currently provides medical coding certification exams for coders in physician practices and the outpatient/facility environment. It is also the first organization to offer a medical coding certification exam that recognizes medical coders in the payer community. The purpose of the AAPC certifications are to test an examinee’s knowledge of coding principles and proficiency in coding accurately and efficiently. The AAPC examination measures a coder’s skill of both coding accuracy and efficiency.

Choose Your Specialty
Ambulatory Surgical Center – CASCC™	General Surgery – CGSC™
Anesthesia and Pain Management – CANPC™	Internal Medicine – CIMC
Cardiology – CCC™	Obstetrics Gynecology – COBGC™
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery – CCVTC™	Orthopaedic Surgery – COSC™
Dermatology – CDERC™	Otolaryngology – CENTC™
Emergency Department - CEDC™	Pediatrics – CPEDC™
Evaluation and Management – CEMC™	Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery – CPRC™
Family Practice – CFPC™	Rheumatology – CRHC™

DISCLAIMER:  Printed with permission.  Affliation - Kelly Dennis, MBA, ACS-AN, CANPC, CPC, CPC-I BMSC Anesthesia Lead Adviser and Board member