Where Can I Get Medical Assistant Certification?
Contents
- Introduction: What is medical assistant certification and where can I get it?
- The importance of medical assistant certification
- The benefits of medical assistant certification
- The requirements for medical assistant certification
- The process of obtaining medical assistant certification
- The cost of medical assistant certification
- The time commitment required for medical assistant certification
- The job outlook for medical assistants with certification
- The types of medical assistant certification
- FAQs about medical assistant certification
There are many schools that offer medical assistant certification, but not all of them are accredited. This means that their certification may not be recognized by employers. Make sure to do your research so that you can get the best education and certification possible.
Checkout this video:
Introduction: What is medical assistant certification and where can I get it?
medical assistant certification is not required in all states, but many employers prefer to hire certified Medical assistants There are a few different ways to become a certified medical assistant, but the most common way is to pass an exam administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association.
There are other certifying organizations out there, but these two are the most widely recognized. Once you have passed the exam, you will be given a certificate that you can put on your resume and use to apply for jobs.
If you are already working as a medical assistant and want to become certified, many employers will pay for you to take the exam. Even if your employer doesn’t pay for it, becoming certified can still be a good way to improve your chances of getting promoted or earning a raise.
There are also online programs that will allow you to become a certified medical assistant, but these are not as widely recognized as the certification from one of the two main organizations.
The importance of medical assistant certification
Medical assistant certification is not required in all states, but many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a certified medical assistant program. There are a number of ways to become a certified medical assistant, including completing an accredited training program or passing an exam administered by a professional organization.
While certification is not required, it can be beneficial to both job seekers and employers. For job seekers, medical assistant certification can demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your skills as a medical assistant. For employers, hiring certified medical assistants can help to ensure that their staff has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality patient care.
There are a number of accredited training programs available that can help you prepare for medical assistant certification. These programs typically include classroom instruction as well as hands-on clinical experience. After completing an accredited training program, you will be eligible to take the certified medical assistant exam.
The certified medical assistant exam is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible to take the exam, you must have completed an accredited training program or have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant. The exam covers a variety of topics related to the clinical and administrative duties of a medical assistant.
The benefits of medical assistant certification
There are several benefits to getting medical assistant certification. With certification, you will have proof of your training and skills, which can make you more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, many employers prefer or require employees to be certified. Certification can also give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. In some cases, certification may even be required by state law.
The requirements for medical assistant certification
In order to become a certified medical assistant, you must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a certification exam. Certification for medical assistants is not required in all states, but many employers prefer or require certification as proof of your knowledge and skills.
There are two primary types of certification exams for medical assistants: the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The CMA is the more widely recognized and accepted certification, but either one will demonstrate your competence as a medical assistant.
To be eligible to take the CMA exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assisting program within the last five years, or have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant. There is no time limit for taking the RMA exam, but you must have completed an accredited program or have one year of work experience to be eligible.
Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam of your choice and schedule a time to take it. The CMA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering subjects such as anatomy and physiology, Medical Terminology clinical procedures, administrative procedures, and patient relations. The RMA exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions covering similar topics.
The process of obtaining medical assistant certification
There are many ways to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). Several professional organizations offer certification, and most require candidates to pass an exam. The Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the most widely recognized medical assistant certification. To be eligible for the AAMA’s CMA exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and have graduated from high school or earned a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Candidates who have been employed as a medical assistant for five years or longer may also be eligible.
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) also offers certification for medical assistants. To be eligible, candidates must have completed an accredited program or have at least three years of full-time employment experience as a medical assistant. There is also a route for “grandparented” certification for those who do not meet the formal education requirements but have been working in the field for 20 years or more.
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers two certifications for medical assistants: the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Registered Clinical Medical Assistant (RCMA). To be eligible for either exam, candidates must have completed an accredited program or have at least one year of full-time employment experience as a medical assistant. Candidates who have been employed as a medical assistant for five years or longer may also be eligible.
While not required, obtaining certification can show potential employers that you are serious about your career and committed to providing quality patient care. Certification can also lead to career advancement and higher salaries. Be sure to research the requirements of each organization before you apply to take an exam.
The cost of medical assistant certification
There are many schools that offer medical assistant certification, and the cost of the program can vary significantly. Typically, certification programs range in cost from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the length of the program and the type of school you attend. Some schools offer financial aid, so it’s important to ask about this when you’re considering your options.
Once you have completed a medical assistant certification program, you will need to take a certification exam in order to become certified. The cost of the exam varies depending on which organization you take it through, but it is typically around $200.
The time commitment required for medical assistant certification
Although the time commitment required for medical assistant certification varies by program, most students complete their studies in about two years. Some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as one year, and some schools offer part-time or online programs that may extend the duration of the program.
The job outlook for medical assistants with certification
The job outlook for medical assistants with certification is extremely positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is largely due to the increasing number of aging baby boomers and their growing need for medical care. As the population ages, there will be an increasing demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants.
The types of medical assistant certification
There are three main types of medical assistant certification: the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), and the National Healthcare Association’s Certified Medical Assistant (NHA-CMA).
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential is earned by successfully completing an accredited medical assistant program and passing a certification exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential is sponsored by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and is earned by passing their certification exam.
The National Healthcare Association’s Certified Medical Assistant (NHA-CMA) credential can be earned by successfully completing an accredited medical assistant program and passing an certification exam administered by the National Healthcare Association.
FAQs about medical assistant certification
There are a few different ways to become a certified medical assistant. You can attend a medical assisting program at acommunity college or technical school, or you can earn certification through an accredited online program.
Once you have completed a medical assistant program, you will need to pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible to take the CMA exam, you must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant.
Once you have passed the CMA exam, you will be a certified medical assistant and will be able to use the credential “CMA” after your name. You will need to renew your certification every five years by completing continuing education credits and paying a renewal fee.
If you have any questions about medical assistant certification, please contact the AAMA at 800-228-2262 or [email protected].