What You Need to Know About AAMA Certification for Certified Medical Assistants

Are you a certified medical assistant looking to further your career? If so, you may be wondering if you need to get AAMA certification. Here’s what you need to know.

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What is AAMA Certification?

The American Association of Medical assistants (AAMA) is a national professional organization for Medical Assistants The AAMA provides certification for medical assistants through a program called the Certification Exam for Medical Assistants (CMA). To be eligible to take the CMA, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and have passed an exam administered by the AAMA. Candidates who pass the CMA receive a certificate from the AAMA and are then certified medical assistants (CMAs).

The CMA is a rigorous exam that covers both the clinical and administrative aspects of medical assisting. In order to ensure that CMAs are able to competently perform their duties, the AAMA requires them to renew their certification every 60 months by completing continuing education credits and passing a recertification exam. The AAMA also offers voluntary certification in specific specialties, such as ophthalmology or pediatrics, for CMAs who wish to further specialize their skills.

Who is eligible for AAMA Certification?

To be eligible for AAMA Certification, an individual must:
– have graduated from a medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES); or
– have completed a medical assistant program that has been reviewed and approved by the CMA (AAMA) Education/Training Committee; or
– have completed a military training program for medical assistants that has been reviewed and approved by the CMA (AAMA) Education/Training Committee; or
– have completed a combination of education, training, and work experience totaling at least five years, which has been reviewed and approved by the CMA (AAMA) Education/Training Committee.

What are the benefits of AAMA Certification?

The Medical Assistant profession is one of the most trusted and in demand in the medical field. Because of this, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers a certification that allows medical assistants to show that they are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the field. The AAMA Certification not only allows medical assistants to stand out from their non-certified counterparts, but also provides numerous benefits, such as:

1. Enhanced employability – AAMA Certification can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs, as many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Furthermore, certified medical assistants may be eligible for higher salaries and positions within their organization.

2. Increased confidence – By displaying the AAMA Certification, you are letting your patients, peers, and employers know that you are dedicated to your profession and have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care. This can lead to increased confidence in your abilities, which is essential in providing quality patient care.

3. Improved patient care – As a certified medical assistant, you will have access to exclusive resources, such as the AAMA’s Job Description Database, which can help you provide improved patient care by staying up-to-date on best practices in the field.

4. Continued professional development – The AAMA offers various professional development opportunities for certified medical assistants, such as conferences, webinars, and online courses. These opportunities allow you to stay current on best practices in the field and earn continuing education credits (CECs), which are required to maintain your certification.

How do I become AAMA certified?

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) awards the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential to candidates who pass an exam administered by the Certifying Board of the AAMA. In order to sit for the CMA exam, candidates must have successfully completed an accredited medical assisting program and be of good moral character.

The CMA exam tests a candidate’s knowledge in three main content areas: general medical knowledge, administrative medical knowledge, and clinical medical knowledge. The exam is composed of multiple-choice questions, with some questions requiring the candidate to select the best answer from among four choices and others requiring the candidate to select the two best answers from among six choices.

Preparing for the CMA Exam can be a challenge, as it covers such a broad range of topics. A variety of study aids are available to assist candidates in their preparation, including review courses, practice exams, and review books. The AAMA also offers a free self-assessment tool on its website, which allows candidates to gauge their strengths and weaknesses in each content area and identify areas that need further study.

Once a candidate has passed the CMA exam, he or she is required to complete 60 hours of continuing education every 60 months in order to maintain certification. The AAMA offers a variety of resources to help certified medical assistants meet this requirement, including online courses, webinars, and live events.

What are the requirements for AAMA Certification?

AAMA Certification is the process by which a medical assistant demonstrates his or her mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant. The AAMA Certification Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which is the gold standard for accreditation of certification programs. A medical assistant who holds AAMA Certification has met rigorous standards and has been shown to be a competent professional who can qualities such as interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, and medical knowledge.

To become certified, a medical assistant must successfully complete an accredited medical assistants program and pass the AAMA Certification Examination. Once certified, a medical assistant must maintain his or her certification through continuing education and recertification every 60 months.

What are the steps to take for AAMA Certification?

The first step is to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, which include:
You must have graduated from a medical assistant 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).
You must have passed an exam administered by the Certifying Board of the AAMA.
You must have completed a medical assistant program within the last five years.
If you meet these requirements, you can begin the process of certification by filling out an application on the AAMA website. The next step is to pay the certification fee, which is currently $125 for members of the AAMA and $200 for non-members. After your application and fee have been processed, you will be sent a study guide to help you prepare for the certification exam. When you are ready to take the exam, you can schedule an appointment at a testing center near you. The exam currently consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering medical knowledge, clinical procedures, and administrative skills. Once you have passed the exam, you will be credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and will need to recertify every 60 months to maintain your credential.

What is the exam like for AAMA Certification?

Are you thinking about becoming a certified medical assistant? If so, you’ll need to take the Exam for the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The AAMA exam is a computer-based test that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The questions cover a variety of topics related to medical assisting, including:

Anatomy and physiology
Medical terminology
Infection control
First aid
patient privacy and confidentiality
Medical law and ethics
Administrative skills
Clinical skills
Test-takers will have three hours to complete the exam.

How do I prepare for the AAMA Certification exam?

The AAMA offers a credentialing program for medical assistants. To earn the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) credential, candidates must successfully complete an accredited medical assisting education program and pass the associated certifying exam (CMA [AAMA]).

Earning the CMA [AAMA] credential indicates that the medical assistant has demonstrated the knowledge and skills essential to the successful performance of medical assisting duties. The CMA [AAMA] credential is recognized as a symbol of excellence in medical assisting, and is the only credential for medical assistants that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

To be eligible to take the CMA [AAMA] Exam, candidates must have graduated from a postsecondary medical assisting program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). A list of currently accredited programs can be found on the CAAHEP website.

The CMA [AAMA] Exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover four major content areas: general, administrative, clinical, and infection control. A detailed breakdown of content areas can be found in the Certifying Examination Content Outline. Candidates are given four hours to complete the exam.

To help candidates prepare for success on the CMA [AAMA] Exam, the AAMA offers a variety of study materials and resources, including an online practice exam. In addition, many schools include review courses as part of their curriculum to help students prepare for certification exams.

What are the passing rates for the AAMA Certification exam?

The medical assistant certification passing rates for the AAMA Certification exam are as follows:

– For first-time test takers, the passing rate is 95%.
– For retakes, the passing rate is 87%.

AAMA Certification is granted to those who have successfully completed an accredited medical assisting program and have passed the AAMA Certification Exam. Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) are entry-level members of the allied health care team who perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep physician offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly.

What are the recertification requirements for AAMA Certification?

To maintain AAMA Certification, medical assistants must recertify every 60 months. The process begins with the submission of an application to the AAMA. Once the application is approved, medical assistants must complete continuing education (CE) and/or work experience in order to maintain their credential.