If you’re a freelance medical writer, you’ve probably heard about the CMPPTM certification for medical publication professionals. Maybe you’ve seen it listed in job ads, or colleagues have mentioned it. You might be wondering: is it worth the money, the time, and the effort?
This article is here to give you a clear answer. I’ve looked at the official ISMPP requirements, listened to what experienced CMPP earners say, and reviewed how it’s used in the industry. My goal is simple: to help you decide if the CMPP certification fits your career goals as a freelancer.
You’ll learn what the CMPP is, who it benefits most, how challenging it is to pass, and whether it’s likely to pay off for you. By the end, you’ll have the facts you need to make the right decision for your business.
What the CMPP Actually Is
The Certified Medical Publication Professional™ (CMPP) is a professional credential awarded by the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) that recognises individuals who already have hands-on experience in publication planning.
It was introduced in 2009 to address a gap in the industry: a formal way to certify ethical, competent practice in medical publications, especially in pharma-sponsored research.
To put it simply, the CMPP certifies four things:
- Expertise as a medical publication professional
- Proficiency in Good Publication Practice (GPP)
- A strong commitment to ethical and transparent data dissemination
- Leadership in upholding integrity and professional standards
What it’s not:
- A beginner-level qualification
- A writing-focused exam
- A substitute for experience
As Danita Sutton, Director of Credentialing at ISMPP, explained in the In Plain Cite podcast,
“The exam also covers evolving trends in the industry. These days, that includes patient involvement, plain language summaries, digital enhancements, and even the use of AI in publications. We continue to ensure that our exam content evolves with the field.”
Eligibility
To qualify for the CMPP certification, you must meet one of the following:
Option A
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, as determined by ISMPP), and
- Have at least 4,000 hours of active, verifiable employment (≈ 2 years full-time) in publication planning. This includes developing and implementing publication plans and fostering ethical, compliant practices.
Option B
- Hold a high school diploma (or equivalent), and
- Have at least 10,000 hours of active, verifiable employment (≈ 5 years full-time) in publication planning.
Qualifying work can include employment or freelance contracts with:
- Medical communications or publication planning agencies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology or device companies
- Medical publishing firms
Applicants don’t need to submit transcripts or project lists upfront, but ISMPP audits about 10% of applications — so you may be asked to provide documentation later.
Format
The exam is a 150-question, application-based assessment taken over three hours. It doesn’t just test knowledge: it requires candidates to apply real-world experience to scenario-based questions. This means cramming will not be helpful: candidates are expected to bring real-world experience to the table, particularly in developing and managing publication plans, not just writing manuscripts.
CMPP Exam Format and Scope
- Length: 3 hours
- Questions: 150 multiple-choice, psychometrically validated, scenario-based
- Mode: In-person at Pearson VUE test centres or online via OnVUE, Pearson’s remote proctoring technology
- Pass rate: ~80%
- Domains tested:
- Developing a publication plan
- Implementing a publication plan
- Fostering ethical and compliant behaviour in publications
If you’re hoping for writing samples, feedback, or a crash course in medical comms, the CMPP isn’t designed for that.
If you’re a freelancer who’s worked on multiple publications but never really handled authorship criteria, client compliance issues, or publication timelines: this may not be the right time for the CMPP. But if publication planning is part of your regular workload, it could be a logical next step in your professional development.
Real Talk: Why the CMPP Gets So Much Buzz (and What That Doesn’t Mean)
There’s growing interest in the CMPP credential, especially as more job postings list it as “preferred”—but that doesn’t always translate to tangible benefits for freelancers.
CMPP holders are now found across 6 continents, and the exam has maintained a stable pass rate of 75–85% since its launch in 2009. It’s seen as a marker of professional commitment and ethical rigour.
However, there are limits to what the CMPP delivers, especially if you’re self-employed:
- It’s rarely a client requirement in freelance settings.
- It does not guarantee more work or higher pay.
- It’s possible to hold the credential and still fly under the radar if you’re not actively marketing it.
Does It Help You Get Clients or Jobs?
Short answer: sometimes, the CMPP credential can help you get clients—but usually not in the way you’d expect.
If you’re applying for roles at medical communications agencies or within pharmaceutical companies, the CMPP can help your CV stand out. It’s increasingly marked as “preferred” in job descriptions, especially for roles that involve publication planning or compliance.
But if you’re working as a freelance medical writer, particularly with clients outside of publications—such as in patient education, content marketing, or digital health—the CMPP rarely comes up. Most clients won’t know what it is, let alone expect it. For most freelancers, it’s a “nice to have”.
It can function as a credibility signal, especially if you’re breaking into more technical or regulated work. But for most freelance writers, your portfolio, referrals, and communication skills are still what land you the job.
Is It Hard? Not Exactly – But It Can Be Tricky
The CMPP exam can appear to be challenging as it tests how well you can handle real-world scenarios in medical publication planning.
Rather than asking for definitions, the exam presents situation-based questions, such as:
- What do you do when an author goes quiet?
- How should you handle a compliance issue with a sponsor?
To answer well, you’ll need to apply practical judgement, your skills, and your knowledge using industry standards like GPP and ICMJE and understand how they play out in real situations.
If your freelance work has involved only small pieces of the publication process, the exam may feel unfamiliar. It’s especially tough for those who haven’t led projects or made decisions about authorship, timelines, or compliance.
Some find the CMPP exam frustrating not because it’s overly difficult, but because more than one answer may seem right. If you’re used to straightforward, black-and-white assessments. Linda Goldstein, PhD, ISMPP CMPP™, Owner of The Write Source MSC and an experienced medical writer specialising in regulatory writing, publications, and medical education, shares her experience:
“I waited until I had many years of experience before taking the exam (which I did not study for!).”
In short: if you’ve been doing the work, the questions will feel familiar. If you haven’t, they won’t.
How Much Does the CMPP Cost?
According to the ISMPP website, here are the costs related to the CMPP in 2025:
- Exam fee: USD $575 for most candidates
- Reduced fee: USD $385 for candidates in developing countries
- Retake fee: USD $225 if you do not pass and retake the exam in the next testing window
- ISMPP membership: Non-members must pay a USD $235 administrative fee, which includes a complimentary one-year membership. Membership also provides access to archived ISMPP U webinars.
Even if you’re not a member, you can access study materials, a mentoring programme and earn recertification credits from the ISMPP website.
ISMPP occasionally offers discounts for freelancers, making the cost more accessible for those funding it themselves.
I think it’s also worth considering indirect costs such as travel if choosing an in-person exam, although some agencies and pharma clients may cover the expense if it benefits their projects.
Is the CMPP Worth the Investment?
As Linda Goldstein, PhD, ISMPP CMPP™, explains:
“There is no substitute for ongoing on-the-job experience with publications; however, there has been increasing emphasis on having the CMPP certification as a qualification for many freelance and contract opportunities.”
Whether the CMPP is worth the investment depends on your career path. It can be valuable if:
- You work primarily in publications or plan to grow that part of your business.
- You’re applying for agency or in-house roles where it’s listed as “preferred.”
- You want a formal credential to signal credibility and ethical expertise.
For freelancers in content marketing, medical copywriting, or broader health comms, the CMPP’s return on investment is less clear. Many freelancers only pursue it if:
- An employer or client funds it, or
- They are intentionally repositioning into publication-heavy work.
Lisa Baker, PhD, CMPP, HEOR Publication Consultant and Freelance Medical Writer for HEOR Pubs, agrees:
“I believe the CMPP credential is valuable for any freelancer who wants to focus in the area of industry-sponsored medical publications. The credential demonstrates the freelancer’s professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to Good Publication Practice. For many potential clients, the CMPP is a ‘gold star’ that can make the writer more attractive to hire.”
Bottom line: The CMPP certification is worth the cost for dedicated publication professionals; harder to justify if publications are a small part of your workload.
Why the CMPP is on My Radar (Even as a Freelancer)
From one freelancer to another, here’s why I keep the CMPP certification in the back of my mind:
- Credibility signal: In a crowded field of content writers, having a recognised industry credential can help you stand out.
- Sharpening professional awareness: While the exam may not teach brand-new skills, it reinforces the ethical and professional standards that guide good publication practice.
- Brand alignment: It fits with my own values of transparency, trust, and building something sustainable over the long term.
I don’t need it right now, but I can see how it could open doors in the future, or at least make me think twice before ruling it out entirely.
Final Take: Should You Pursue the CMPP Certification for Medical Publication Professionals?
The CMPP certification isn’t right for everyone. This quick checklist will help you decide if it’s a good fit for your work, goals, and budget:
| Consider CMPP if… | Maybe skip it if… |
|---|---|
| You regularly develop publication plans or work within pharmaceutical or med comms agencies. | Your work is mainly website copy, blogs, or general medical marketing. |
| You’re aiming for a long-term career focus on publication-heavy work | You’re early in your career and unsure how much publications will feature in your future work. |
| Having a recognised credential would add weight to your client pitches or proposals. | You’d need to fund it yourself and the cost would outweigh any near-term benefit. |
If you’d like to compare it with other recognised options — including AMWA, EMWA, and university programmes — I’ve put together a guide to medical writing certifications with details on costs, time commitments, and when each is worth it.
For more ongoing tips, resources, and real-world advice for freelance medical writers, you can join my free newsletter, and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
FAQ: Everything Freelancers Need to Know About the CMPP Credential
Q: Is the CMPP worth it?
The CMPP certification is worth it for freelancers and medical writers who work in publication planning, pharmaceutical companies, or medical communications agencies. It can improve credibility and career opportunities. If you mainly write medical marketing content, blogs, or website copy, the cost and effort may not provide a strong return on investment.
Q: What does CMPP mean?
CMPP stands for Certified Medical Publication Professional. It is a professional certification for publication professionals.offered by the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP).
Q: How much does it cost to join ISMPP and get CMPP certified?
To apply for the CMPP certification, non-members pay a USD $235 administrative fee, which includes a one-year ISMPP membership. The exam fee is USD $575 for most candidates or USD $385 for candidates in developing countries. If you do not pass, the retake fee is USD $225 (price as of September 2025). For freelancers, it’s worth factoring in indirect costs such as travel if you sit the exam in person—though some agencies and pharma clients will cover the cost if the qualification benefits them.
Q: How do you get CMPP certified?
To earn the CMPP certification, you must meet ISMPP’s eligibility criteria—either 4,000 hours of publication-related work experience (with a college degree) or 10,000 hours without a degree. You then apply through ISMPP, pass a 150-question scenario-based exam, and agree to follow ISMPP’s ethical standards. The certification lasts five years and must be renewed through recertification either by taking the exam again or earning the required number of CE credits.
If your career has already taken you deep into publication planning, the process can feel like formalising what you already know; if not, it’s better to gain more experience first.
