Most medical writing professionals today are often on the lookout for entering into any certification programs to give their profile a professional enhancement in terms of the job opportunities that they would get open to, but the fact remains that not all certifications render benefits equal, and some may also offer opposite values. This article has outlined the reasons why the certifications from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and those from the European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) do not justify urges by students or any just-budding medical writers and mentions alternatives like Medical writing Training Courses that offer much better practical and value-based training.
Why AMWA & EMWA are not Worth it?
1. No Global Regulatory Body Recognizes AMWA or EMWA Certifications
Neither the FDA (U.S.), EMA (Europe), nor ICH (International Council for Harmonisation) require or even mention AMWA/EMWA certifications for medical writing in regulatory submissions.
The most important standards in medical writing come from ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) and GPP (Good Publication Practice), not AMWA/EMWA.
2. Top Employers Prioritize Experience, Not Certifications
Leading pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, etc.) and CROs (IQVIA, Parexel, PPD) do not require AMWA or EMWA Certification for hiring.
Recruiters focus on writing samples, domain expertise, and the ability to follow regulatory guidelines, not membership in an association.
3. AMWA and EMWA Are Membership-Based, Not Accreditation Bodies
AMWA and EMWA are private organizations that charge membership fees and course fees—their certificates are not government-accredited or legally required.
Their certifications are not ISO-certified or recognized by major universities.
4. Successful Medical Writers Without These Certifications
Many top medical writers and consultants in the industry never pursued AMWA or EMWA certification but have built successful careers through:
- Internships in pharma and CROs
- Strong scientific backgrounds (PhDs, MDs, or life sciences degrees)
- Hands-on writing experience in clinical trials, publications, and regulatory affairs
5. Cost vs. ROI – AMWA/EMWA Courses Are Overpriced
AMWA and EMWA charge hundreds to thousands of dollars for courses and certification.
Cheaper, more value-for-money alternatives offer similar or better content at a fraction of the price with practical exposure.
6. More Practical Training Than AMWA/EMWA is available in the industry
Many institutes offer 100% practical-based Medical writing training, including internships, hands-on projects, and job assistance, which AMWA and EMWA do not provide. In these Institutes focus is on real-world writing skills, not just theoretical knowledge.
7. Flexibility and Accessibility
AMWA and EMWA courses are limited in access and often location-dependent, whereas many institutes provide online, flexible training with live sessions.
8. Industry-Specific Specialization
Medical writing training institutes offer focused training in Clinical Research, Pharmacovigilance, and Regulatory Writing, which are more directly applicable to medical writing jobs.
Whereas, AMWA/EMWA courses are generalized and do not offer deep specialization.
9. Lack of Job Guarantee from AMWA/EMWA
AMWA and EMWA do not provide job placements or industry internships, whereas Medical writing training institutes offer practical exposure and job assistance.
10. Certification Alone Does Not Make a Good Medical Writer
Clients and employers look for clear, concise, and regulatory-compliant writing—a certification from AMWA or EMWA does not guarantee those skills.
The best way to judge a medical writer is through their portfolio, writing tests, and past work experience, not a paid certification.
Final Words
Certifications like AMWA/EMWA are not industry requirements, and top medical writers succeed without them. You can find more practical, job-oriented training, at a better value, with real-world exposure. Would you rather pay for a name or for real skills?
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