How to Get National Medical Assistant Certification
Contents
- Introduction
- What is National Medical Assistant Certification?
- Who is Eligible for National Medical Assistant Certification?
- How to Get National Medical Assistant Certification
- What are the Benefits of National Medical Assistant Certification?
- How to Maintain National Medical Assistant Certification
- What Happens if You Let Your National Medical Assistant Certification Lapse?
- How Much Does National Medical Assistant Certification Cost?
- Is National Medical Assistant Certification Worth It?
- Conclusion
National medical assistant Certification (NMAC) is a voluntary certification process that is available to Medical assistants (MAs).
Checkout this video:
Introduction
The National Certification Board for Medical Assistants (NCBMA) is an organization that provides certification for medical assistants in the United States The NCBMA is recognized by the US Department of Education and is ICF accredited.
National medical assistant certification is not required in order to work as a medical assistant but some employers prefer or require certification. Certification may also give you a salary increase or help you advance in your career.
There are two ways to become certified as a medical assistant: by taking the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), or by taking the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Both exams are widely recognized and will give you national medical assistant certification. However, the AAMA exam is more common, so we will focus on that option here.
What is National Medical Assistant Certification?
National Medical Assistant Certification is a voluntary certification process that is available to medical assistants who meet certain requirements. The certification is granted by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for certification, an applicant must have graduated from a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and must have passed a certified medical assistant exam.
Who is Eligible for National Medical Assistant Certification?
National Medical Assistant Certification is available through the National Healthcare Association (NHA) to candidates who have completed a medical assistant training program and have passing scores on both the written and practical exams. Exam eligibility requirements must be met within one year of completing the training program.
How to Get National Medical Assistant Certification
National medical assistant certification is not required in order to work as a medical assistant, but many employers prefer or require certification as a way to verify that their employees have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the job.
There are several organizations that offer national medical assistant certification, including the National Healthcare Association (NHA), the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and the National Certification Board for Medical Assistants (NCBMA).
To be eligible for certification, you must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and passed an exam. Once you have earned your certification, you will need to renew it every few years by completing continuing education courses or retaking the exam.
While certification is not required, it can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs and can help you advance in your career.
What are the Benefits of National Medical Assistant Certification?
The National Medical Assistant Certification (NMAC) is the gold standard for certification of medical assistants. The NMAC is a voluntary, non-governmental certification process that is nationally recognized by employers, state licensing boards, and educational institutions.
The NMAC was created to:
-Establish and maintain high standards for the training and continuing education of medical assistants
-Promote public confidence in medical assistants
-Evaluate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the practice of medical assisting
The benefits of obtaining national medical assistant certification include:
-Increased job security
-Increased earnings potential
-Greater opportunities for career advancement
How to Maintain National Medical Assistant Certification
Maintaining national medical assistant certification is important to ensure that you are up-to-date on the latest medical procedures and protocols. There are a few different ways to maintain your certification, including taking continuing education courses and renewing your certification every few years.
Taking continuing education courses is one of the best ways to maintain your national medical assistant certification. These courses keep you up-to-date on the latest medical procedures and protocols, and they also help you refresh your skills. Most national medical assistant organizations offer continuing education courses, and many of them are even available online.
Renewing your national medical assistant certification is another great way to maintain your certification. You will need to renew your certification every few years, and the process is usually pretty simple. All you will need to do is fill out a renewal form and submit it to the national medical assistant organization that you are certified through.
Maintaining national medical assistant certification is important to ensure that you are able to provide the best possible care for your patients. Taking continuing education courses and renewing your certification on a regular basis are two great ways to maintain your certification.
What Happens if You Let Your National Medical Assistant Certification Lapse?
If you let your National Medical Assistant Certification lapse, you will no longer be able to practice as a medical assistant. You will also lose your status as a Certified Medical Assistant, which is a credential that is highly respected by employers and patients alike. In order to regain your certification, you will need to retake the certification exam.
How Much Does National Medical Assistant Certification Cost?
Medical assistants are in high demand across the country, and national certification is becoming increasingly important for those looking to enter the field. The cost of national medical assistant certification can vary depending on the organization you choose to certify through, but is typically around $200. Some organizations also charge an annual fee for continued certification, which can range from $50 to $100.
Is National Medical Assistant Certification Worth It?
National medical assistant certification can give you a leg up when applying for jobs and may even help you earn a higher salary. But is it worth the time and expense to get certified? Let’s take a look at the benefits of national medical assistant certification and what it takes to earn it.
The main benefit of national medical assistant certification is that it demonstrates your commitment to your career. Employers know that certified medical assistants have completed an accredited program and have passed a standardized exam. This shows that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful medical assistant.
In addition, national medical assistant certification may help you earn a higher salary. A certified medical assistant may be able to command a higher hourly wage than one who is not certified. In some cases, employers may also offer bonuses or other incentives to employees who are certified.
If you are thinking about becoming a medical assistant, national certification is definitely something to consider. But before you make the decision, be sure to do your research and weigh the costs and benefits carefully.
Conclusion
To become a certified medical assistant, you must first complete an accredited medical assisting program and then pass a national certification exam. Once you are certified, you will need to renew your certification every few years to ensure that you remain up-to-date on the latest medical assisting standards and procedures.