Prior Authorization Specialists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of prior authorization specialists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for prior authorization specialists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of prior authorization specialists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for prior authorization specialists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Prior Authorization Specialists?
Do prior authorization specialists need a degree? What kind of experience do prior authorization specialists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for prior authorization specialists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Prior Authorization Specialists
Jobs Postings for Prior Authorization Specialists By Education
- No Education Listed: 7,344 (39%)
- High School or GED: 7,224 (38%)
- Bachelor's degree: 3,363 (18%)
- Master's degree: 659 (3%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 389 (2%)
No education was listed by most employers of prior authorization specialists. According to job data, no education was required for 39% of positions. In 38% of job listings a High School diploma or GED was required and in 18% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Prior Authorization Specialists
Jobs Postings for Prior Authorization Specialists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 3,711 (32%)
- 2-3 Years: 5,952 (51%)
- 4-6 Years: 1,446 (12%)
- 7-9 Years: 162 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 309 (3%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for prior authorization specialists. In 51% of job postings for Prior Authorization Specialists, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 32% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 12% of job postings for prior authorization specialists.
What Kind of Degree Do Prior Authorization Specialists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for prior authorization specialists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 2 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective prior authorization specialists, and in 2023 a total of 14 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective prior authorization specialists.
Top Degree Programs for Prior Authorization Specialists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Prior Authorization Specialists (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Information Privacy Assurance and Security. | 8 |
| Disease Registry Data Management. | 6 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Prior Authorization Specialists
Turn patient data into knowledge that improves lives with Franklin’s M.S. in Health Informatics. Finish your master's online in as few as 12 months.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 12
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Healthcare 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Prior Authorization Specialists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by prior authorization specialists to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for prior authorization specialists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Prior Authorization Specialists
Based on 20,225 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Prior Authorization Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Records | 9,898 | 49% |
| Electronic Medical Record | 5,783 | 29% |
| Medicare | 3,924 | 19% |
| Nursing | 3,914 | 19% |
| Auditing | 3,744 | 19% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Prior Authorization Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 6,861 | 34% |
| Customer Service | 5,704 | 28% |
| Management | 4,365 | 22% |
| Detail Oriented | 3,338 | 17% |
| Writing | 3,206 | 16% |
Based on 20,225 job postings related to prior authorization specialists, medical records was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 49% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for electronic medical record, medicare, nursing, auditing and medical terminology were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for prior authorization specialists, followed by customer service, management, detail oriented, writing and english language.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Records | 9,898 | 49% |
| Electronic Medical Record | 5,783 | 29% |
| Medicare | 3,924 | 19% |
| Nursing | 3,914 | 19% |
| Auditing | 3,744 | 19% |
| Medical Terminology | 3,653 | 18% |
| Health Information Management | 3,552 | 18% |
| Data Entry | 3,130 | 15% |
| Medicaid | 2,949 | 15% |
| Billing | 2,886 | 14% |
| Process Improvement | 2,292 | 11% |
| Office Equipment | 2,250 | 11% |
| Long-Term Care | 2,035 | 10% |
| Medical Privacy | 1,902 | 9% |
| ICD Coding (ICD-9/ICD-10) | 1,798 | 9% |
| Managed Care | 1,703 | 8% |
| Minimum Data Set | 1,637 | 8% |
| Workflow Management | 1,551 | 8% |
| Outbound Calls | 1,379 | 7% |
| Opening Mail | 1,342 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 6,861 | 34% |
| Customer Service | 5,704 | 28% |
| Management | 4,365 | 22% |
| Detail Oriented | 3,338 | 17% |
| Writing | 3,206 | 16% |
| English Language | 3,013 | 15% |
| Problem Solving | 2,782 | 14% |
| Leadership | 2,757 | 14% |
| Operations | 2,563 | 13% |
| Microsoft Excel | 2,493 | 12% |
| Coordinating | 2,445 | 12% |
| Microsoft Office | 2,343 | 12% |
| Computer Literacy | 2,246 | 11% |
| Clerical Works | 2,140 | 11% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 2,016 | 10% |
| Research | 1,934 | 10% |
| Organizational Skills | 1,901 | 9% |
| Administrative Functions | 1,836 | 9% |
| Lifting Ability | 1,814 | 9% |
| Filing | 1,684 | 8% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about prior authorization specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for prior authorization specialists.
What do prior authorization specialists do?
How much do prior authorization specialists make?
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