Study guide
BOC Certification Eligibility, CEU Requirements & Recertification Policy
BOC Certified Mastectomy Fitter CMF
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1 Facilities Management, Safety & Regulatory Compliance
DMEPOS Supplier Standards, Quality Standards & BOC Facility Accreditation Fitting Room Design, Measuring Instruments & Inventory Controls Environmental Safety, OSHA Regulations & Infection Control Facility Policies, Record Retention & HIPAA Privacy/Security Compliance
2 Professional Practice, Scope of Practice & Ethics
Upholding Patient Confidentiality & Dignity in Clinical Encounters BOC Certification Eligibility, CEU Requirements & Recertification Policy Performance Improvement Systems & Inter-Professional Education BOC CMF Scope of Practice & BOC Code of Ethics Compliance
3 Breast Anatomy, Oncology, Surgical Procedures & Reconstruction
Breast, Chest Wall, Musculoskeletal & Lymphatic System Anatomy Breast Pathology, Cancer Types, Staging & Adjuvant Therapies Breast Conserving Surgery & Mastectomy Classifications Breast Reconstruction Modalities, Tissue Expanders & Going Flat
4 Patient Intake, Physical Assessment & Prescription Verification
Patient Relationship, Clinical Interview & Financial Counseling Evaluating Skin Condition, Healing Readiness, ROM, Strength & Dexterity Assessing Post-Surgical Edema, Lymphedema Risk & Precautions Prescription Assessment, Standard Written Orders & Physician Verification
5 Patient Communication, Psychosocial Care & Care Coordination
Explaining Device Objectives, Procedures & Product Options Psychosocial Impact, Grief, Body Image & Family Dynamics Trauma-Informed Fitting, Special Populations & Patient Autonomy Inter-Professional Communication, Clinical Progress Notes & Referrals
6 Anthropometric Landmarks, Measurement & Post-Surgical Garments
Anatomical Landmarks & Patient Positioning for Measurement Unilateral, Bilateral & Post-Reconstruction Measurement Techniques Post-Surgical Camisoles, Drain Management & Transitional Forms Lymphedema Sleeves & Gradient Compression Garment Selection
7 External Breast Prostheses & Post-Mastectomy Bra Selection
Silicone Weighted vs. Lightweight, Foam & Leisure Prostheses Prosthesis Shapes, Profiles, Partial Shapers & Attachable Designs Custom-Fabricated Breast Prostheses (3D Scanning) & Nipple Prostheses Post-Mastectomy Bra Engineering, Pocket Construction & Specialty Garments
8 Product Alignment, Delivery, Medicare Billing & Follow-Up
Fitting Alignment, Biomechanical Balance & Bra/Form Troubleshooting Donning/Doffing Instruction, Return Demonstration & Product Care Proof of Delivery, HCPCS L-Codes, Modifiers, ABNs & WHCRA Coverage Follow-Up Evaluation, Chart Updates & Replacement Schedules
BOC Certification Eligibility, CEU Requirements & Recertification Policy
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
BOC CMF eligibility requires a BOC-approved entry-level mastectomy fitter course completed within the last 5 years plus at least 120 hours of supervised patient care; initial fees total $200.
Candidates have 3 years from submitting the application to pass the 100-scored-item PSI exam; after a failed attempt they wait 90 days, with at most 5 retakes ($150 each).
Active CMFs renew annually by December 31 ($50 fee) and earn 10 CEUs per 5-year cycle: at least 5 Scientific and at most 5 Business, with up to 2 excess CEUs carried over.
Suspension lasts up to 3 years ($100 reinstatement fee plus past-due fees and CEUs) before revocation; Temporary Leave or Retired status can be reversed within 2 years with a written request and $100 fee.
Last updated: October 2026
Initial BOC CMF Certification Eligibility & Exam Logistics
Under BOC Detailed Content Outline (DCO 1.B.2) , a Certified Mastectomy Fitter ( CMF ) must maintain full compliance with the credentialing and recertification requirements established by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) . To qualify as an initial candidate for the BOC CMF examination, an applicant must satisfy two prerequisites listed on BOC's CMF page:
Entry-Level Mastectomy Education: Complete a BOC-approved entry-level mastectomy fitter education course within the last 5 years prior to application (an official certificate of completion must be submitted with the application).
Supervised Clinical Experience: Complete a minimum of 120 hours (about 3 weeks of full-time work ) of documented patient care under an appropriately qualified professional: another mastectomy fitter, or a professional whose own scope of practice includes mastectomy fitting. BOC runs random audits, so keep patient care logs or a notarized attestation letter from the supervising practitioner; failure to document the hours can lead to revocation. BOC suggests earning hours by volunteering at a hospital or clinic, contacting BOC-accredited facilities, or bringing a mastectomy fitter into your facility.
BOC's CMF page does not list a diploma or minimum-age requirement. (Those requirements belong to the American Board for Certification's separate mastectomy fitter credential, so do not mix the two programs up.) BOC says applications are typically accepted within 24 hours of receipt.
Official BOC CMF Parameter Verified Requirement / Rule
Total Initial Cost $200 total ( $50 non-refundable application fee + $150 multiple-choice exam fee; $35 returned check fee)
Self-Assessment Exam (SAE) Free online practice exam for CMF applicants, available once the application is processed (BOC notes the SAE does not predict your result)
Exam Format & Duration 100 scored MCQ items plus unscored pretest items (BOC's outline instructions describe 15 pretest questions; the outline footnote refers to two sets of 15) in 2.5 hours (150 minutes) via PSI Services (test center or live remote proctoring)
Cognitive Item Breakdown 38 Recall (RE) , 52 Application (AP) , and 10 Analysis/Evaluation (AN) scored questions
Passing Score Standard Pass/fail; BOC set the initial base-form passing point with the Angoff method in 2017, and later forms may be linearly pre-equated
Application Validity & Retakes 3 years to pass, counted from when you submit the application; 90-day wait after a failed attempt; maximum of 5 retakes within the 3 years ( $150 exam fee each time)
Candidates test year-round via PSI Services , either at a PSI test center (some open on Saturdays) or with a live remote proctor; BOC asks candidates to schedule at least three business days ahead. Results appear immediately for computer-based exams. BOC does not yet offer instant scoring in Canada or Puerto Rico, where written results arrive by mail in two to three weeks.
Note
The 3-Year Application Window & 90-Day Retake Rule: Once a candidate submits the initial CMF application, the candidate has a 3-year window to pass the Multiple-Choice Examination (MCE). If a candidate does not pass on the first attempt, they must wait at least 90 days before retesting and pay a $150 retake fee per attempt. A candidate is allowed up to 5 retakes within the 3-year validity window; if they do not pass within 3 years or exhaust their allowed attempts, they must start over with a new application and meet the eligibility criteria in effect at that time.
Annual Renewal & The 5-Year 10-CEU Recertification Cycle
Maintaining active CMF certification requires satisfying both an annual financial/ethical obligation and a 5-year Continuing Education (CE) cycle governed by the BOC Recertification Policy (Rev. 5/2025) :
Annual Certification Maintenance: Every CMF must pay a $50 annual certification maintenance fee due on or before December 31 of each calendar year and attest to ongoing compliance with the BOC Code of Ethics .
5-Year CEU Cycle Requirement: Every CMF must earn a minimum of 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during each 5-year CE cycle , distributed across two credit categories:
Scientific Credits — Minimum 50% (≥5 CEUs): Educational activities directly advancing clinical and scientific competency in mastectomy fitting, including breast anatomy and pathology, oncology symposiums, post-surgical wound and lymphedema management, infection control, and external breast prosthesis/garment engineering. Because 50% is a minimum floor , a CMF may earn all 10 CEUs as Scientific credit.
Business Credits — Maximum 50% (≤5 CEUs): Educational activities focused on business administration, DMEPOS billing and reimbursement, marketing, customer service, or healthcare operations. Business credit is capped at 5 CEUs per 5-year cycle.
CEU Earning Methods, Carryover & Audit Retention
Certificants may accrue CEUs through BOC-approved courses (whose providers report credit directly), manufacturer in-services on new products or techniques, conferences, college courses, teaching or writing a course (3 CEUs per hour, once a year), publishing articles (1 CEU per page), independent study of journal articles (1 CEU per 250–500 word summary ), and trade-show exhibit halls (0.25 CEU per exhibitor visited, up to 5 CEUs per year).
CEU Carryover (20% Rule): A certificant in good standing who earns more than the required CEUs within the 5-year cycle may carry excess credit into the next cycle. The carryover is limited to 20% of the cycle requirement , which is 2 CEUs for a CMF (BOC Recertification Policy, Section F.6).
Audit Documentation Retention: The Recertification Policy tells certificants to keep CE records for at least 12 months after the cycle ends, because BOC runs random CEU audits.
Loading diagram... BOC CMF Certification Maintenance, CEU & Status Progression
Certification Statuses, Lapses & Reinstatement Pathways
BOC defines specific administrative and disciplinary statuses when a certificant's practice status or compliance changes:
BOC Certification Status Triggering Condition Credential Use & Reinstatement / Reactivation Requirements
Active in Good Standing Annual $50 fee paid by Dec 31, 10 CEUs completed every 5 years, and ethical compliance Authorized to practice as a BOC Certified Mastectomy Fitter and display the CMF designation
Suspension Immediate upon failing to pay annual fees by Dec 31 or failing to complete 10 CEUs by cycle end Must immediately cease representing oneself as BOC-certified ( CMF ). Lasts up to 3 years ; reinstated by paying a $100 reinstatement fee , all past-due annual fees, and submitting deficient CEUs
Revocation Remaining suspended for >3 years , or revocation as an ethics sanction Loss of certification. To return, the person reapplies under Section H of the Recertification Policy: with evidence of continued active practice, retake and pass the MCE, pay the MCE fee, and pay a $100 administrative fee; without that evidence, retake all applicable exams and pay all application and exam fees
Temporary Leave Voluntary request by a certificant in good standing who will not practice for a period (including military active duty); CE and renewal fees are waived during leave ≤2 years: written request + $100 reinstatement fee. >2 years: written request, $100 administrative fee, and retake and pass the MCE (plus its fee). >3 years: reapply under Section H
Retired Status Voluntary request by a certificant in good standing who has retired; may use the title "BOC Retired Status certificant" but not claim active certification ≤2 years: written request + $100 reinstatement fee. >2 years: written request plus retake and pass the MCE (plus its fee). >5 years: reapply and retake all exams
Voluntary Relinquishment Written request to give up certification (inactive status) Reinstatement within 1 year of the expiration date: written request + $100 ; later than that, reapply under Section H
Understanding the distinction between voluntary inactive statuses ( Temporary Leave and Retired Status ) and non-compliance ( Suspension and Revocation ) is essential: a certificant must already be in good standing to request Temporary Leave or Retired Status before a lapse occurs.
Warning
Mandatory Cessation of Credential Representation During Suspension: A certificant placed on Suspension for missing the December 31 annual renewal fee or failing to complete 10 CEUs is not in good standing and must immediately stop using the CMF credential on business cards, clinic signage, prescriptions, or Medicare claim documentation until BOC formally processes their $100 reinstatement fee , past-due fees, and CEU compliance.