FMC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

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What is FMC?

  • The Fetal Monitor Credentialing (FMC) Exam was developed in January 2014 based on Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) principles defined by national consensus and leading US experts have been involved in its development. The FMC tool measures both knowledge and judgment. Measurement of clinical reasoning is made possible using Script Concordance Testing (SCT), developed more than 10 years ago by Bernard Charlin, MD, PhD from the University of Montreal.

Who developed the FMC exam?

  • The Perinatal Quality Foundation (PQF) grew out of The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and is now an independent affiliate of SMFM. The Foundation Board of Directors is composed of some of the most respected clinicians in Maternal Fetal Medicine.
  • The mission of the Perinatal Quality Foundation is to improve the quality of Obstetrical services. The Board of Directors charged the Fetal Monitoring Credentialing task force to develop the exam. Nurse, nurse-midwife, and MFM experts were involved in developing the exam questions. The questions have been tested by many experts and beta participants and statistically validated.
  • As of September 9, 2022, PQF announced the decision to transfer FMC operations to Inteleos and by December 2023, Inteleos will officially begin operating the FMC program.

Who should take the FMC Exam?

  • The credential is available to physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, nurses, other perinatal clinicians, and institutions who are involved in the management of labor and delivery patients.

How is the FMC exam scored?

  • Script Concordance Test (SCT) is an innovative approach to clinical reasoning assessment. This method of testing includes questions that offer participants an answer key in the form of a 5-point Likert scale, allowing for more than one answer to be acceptable. SCT provides a direct approach for testing the organization of clinical knowledge and how well it is applied in authentic and ambiguous clinical scenarios. Any unanswered question is considered an incorrect answer.
  • The exam will test both knowledge and judgment questions. Knowledge questions have a specific correct answer or answers, and they are based upon specific definitions nomenclature or physiologic facts. They can be used to measure any number of specific teaching objectives.
  • NOTE: Any unanswered question is considered an incorrect answer.

When will I get my FMC exam scores?

  • The results of your exam and an analysis of the knowledge and judgment questions answered will be available in your account through the Inteleos FMC website within 3 hours of starting the exam.How do I take the Exam?
  • The exam will be available online on Inteleos FMC website once developed with the exam content by December 2023.
  • NOTE: This is NOT an open book exam.

What is the cost of the FMC exam?

  • The cost to take the initial FMC credentialing exam is $150.00 per individual; FMC customers and hospital practice administrators will be updated on price changes and discount information when the Inteleos FMC website is in operation.

How do I locate my FMC exam score?

  • You will be able to locate your score on Inteleos FMC website by Dec 2023 and follow the instructions below.
  • Instruction: Log in to your account on the Inteleos FMC website. Under the summary page there will be a button that will bring you to your results.

What if I fail the FMC exam?

  • If a person fails, they may retake the FMC exam at no charge during a period that begins one week from the exam date and extends to 3 months thereafter.
  • If a person fails twice or does not retake the exam during the three month period, they may retake the test but will be charged full price.

How often may I retake the FMC exam?

  • The FMC has retake opportunities. Inteleos does not currently limit the number of times a person may retake the exam to pass.

How long is the FMC exam?

  • The exam must be completed within 120 minutes.
  • There are NO breaks allowed during the exam. Participants may take the exam in their own time (available 24/7). A computer with a stable Internet connection is required. The exam consists of 70-80 questions.
    • NOTE: There is a countdown counter that is displayed when taking the exam.

Will I receive an FMC certificate?

  • Yes, a digital certificate will be issued to you after a passing score is achieved.

Will I receive CMEs?

  • No.

How long is my FMC credential valid?

  • Credentialing will be current for three years after the exam is passed.

What is required for FMC recertification?

  • Within a three-year period from the time the exam is passed, a participant may take a recredentialing exam at half of the original cost.
  • The re-credentialing exam will have fewer questions than the full exam. After three years, and if the recredentialing exam has not been passed, participants will be required to take the full exam.

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