Credentialing is the process of collecting and verifying data that will serve as the basis for decisions regarding appointments and reappointments to the medical staff or allied health staff. The JCAHO requires the medical staff to consider information concerning the applicant’s licensure, training, experience, current competence and ability to perform privileges requested.

The credentialing process at CMC consists of a pre-application and initial application. The pre-application is used to determine whether or not potential applicants meet the requirements for membership and privileges. If after reviewing the pre-application, a decision is made to forward an application, that application is forwarded the same day. After the application is returned and all information is verified, the completed file is reviewed by the Section Chief and Department Chairman, their recommendation is then forwarded to the Credentials Committee which then forwards a recommendation to the Medical Executive Committee. The Board of Directors is the final approving body.

The credentialing process takes on average three to four months. Personnel in the Medical Staff Office are available to assist with this process.