How to Renew Your Medical Assistant Certification

If you’re a medical assistant who needs to renew your certification, there are a few steps you need to follow. Learn more about how to renew your medical assistant certification here.

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Introduction

Medical assistants are in high demand across the United States According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.i With such a high demand for medical assistants, many individuals are choosing to enter the field. However, once you have obtained your certification, it is important to keep up with your continuing education requirements in order to maintain your credential.

Why You Should Renew Your Certification

Renewing your medical assistant certification is important to ensure that you are able to maintain a high level of competency in your field. There are a number of benefits to renewing your certification, including:

-Keeping your skills up-to-date: As medical technology and treatments advance, it’s important to make sure that you are keeping up with the latest changes. By renewing your certification, you can ensure that you are up-to-date on the latest medical advances.

-Maintaining a competitive edge: In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to stand out from the crowd. Renewing your certification shows employers that you are dedicated to your career and committed to maintaining a high level of competence.

-Earning more money: In many cases, certified medical assistants earn more money than those who are not certified. By renewing your certification, you can help ensure that you are earning the highest salary possible.

-Improving patient care: As a medical assistant, you play an important role in providing quality patient care. By renewing your certification, you can ensure that you are providing the best possible care for your patients.

How to Renew Your Certification

Being a certified medical assistant (CMA) has many benefits. Not only does having certification provide credibility and show that you have the necessary skills to perform your job well, but it also allows you to better serve your patients. Once you have your certification, it’s important to keep it up to date so that you can continue to work as a CMA. Here’s how to renew your certification:

The first step is to make sure that you meet the requirements for renewal. You will need to have worked as a CMA for at least five years and have completed at least 60 hours of continuing education (CE) credits. If you have not met these requirements, you will need to complete them before you can apply for renewal.

Once you have met the requirements, you will need to fill out an application for renewal. This can be done online or by mail. You will also need to pay a fee for renewal. Once your application has been processed, your certification will be renewed and you will be able to continue working as a CMA.

The Importance of Keeping Your Certification Up-To-Date

Medical assistants are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 With such high demand for medical assistants, it’s important to keep your certification up-to-date.

The first step is to find out if your state requires you to be certified. If so, you will need to renew your certification every few years. Check with your state’s regulatory board or the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) for specific requirements.

Once you know what is required, the next step is to decide which route you want to take to renew your certification. There are two primary options: recertification through continuing education or retesting. Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that makes the most sense for you and fits your schedule.

Recertification through continuing education is generally the more popular option because it allows you to continue working while you renew your certification. Most states require anywhere from 10-30 hours of continuing education credits (CECs) every few years, depending on the renewal cycle. CECs can be earned through attending conferences, taking classes, or even completing online courses. You will need to keep track of your CECs and submit them when it’s time to renew your certification.

The other option is retesting, which involves taking a written or computer-based exam covering the material in your certification exam. This option may make sense if you feel like you need a refresher on the material or if it has been awhile since you last took the exam. Retesting is generally less expensive than recertification through continuing education, but it does require taking time off from work to take the exam.

Once you have decided how you will renew your certification, the next step is to start planning ahead so that you can stay on track and Renew Your Medical Assistant Certification on time!

Tips for Staying Certified

The credential you earn when you pass the Certification Exam for Medical Assistants (CMA) is good for 60 months, or five years. To renew your credential, you will need to complete 60 continuing education credits (CEUs) and pay a renewal fee to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

To ensure that you are on track to renew your credential on time, we recommend that you:
– Keep a log of the CEUs you complete. The AAMA website has a downloadable CEU log that you can use.
– Set up a reminder in your calendar for when your renewal fee is due.
– Make a note of the expiration date of your CPR certification and plan to renew it before it expires. You will need to show proof of current CPR certification when you submit your application for renewal.

You can find more information about renewing your medical assistant certification on the AAMA website.

The Benefits of Renewing Your Certification

As a medical assistant, you provide vital support to physicians and other medical professionals. You may work in a medical office, clinic, or hospital, performing administrative and clinical tasks. Your duties might include scheduling appointments, taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, and assisting during the exam.

While certification is not required in all states, it can give you an edge when you are seeking employment. Most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Certification also shows your commitment to your career as a medical assistant.

There are many benefits to renewing your certification as a medical assistant. Doing so demonstrates your continued commitment to your career. It also allows you to stay up-to-date on the latest information and developments in the field of medicine. In addition, renewing your certification can give you a pay raise or help you qualify for promotions at your job.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Certification

Renewing your medical assistant certification is vital to maintaining a high level of competency in your field. Whether you’re renewing your MA certification for the first time or you’ve been through the process before, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your renewal.

1. Get organized early. Don’t wait until the last minute to start gathering the documentation you’ll need for your renewal application. This can cause unnecessary stress and may result in you forgetting to include important information.

2. Read the requirements carefully. Make sure you understand what is required for renewal and that you are eligible to renew. Some certification organizations have specific requirements, such as continuing education courses, that must be met in order to renew.

3. Choose your courses wisely. When selecting continuing education courses, choose ones that will help you maintain or improve your skills as a medical assistant. In some cases, courses that are related to other health care professions can also be beneficial.

4. Allow enough time for processing. Once you have submitted your application and all required documentation, allow adequate time for processing by the certification organization. This can vary depending on the organization, so be sure to check their website or contact them directly if you have questions about timing.

Following these steps will help ensure a smooth renewal process and help you maintain a high level of competence as a medical assistant.

The Value of Certification

The Board of Certification (BOC) for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) reports that as of December 2016, there are 191,765 credentialed Medical Assistants (CMA [AAMA]). This is an all-time high in the number of CMAs, and it represents steady growth over the last few years.

The value of the CMA (AAMA) credential goes beyond numbers, however. Holding current certification lends credibility to the individual medical assistant and sends a message to employers, patients, and the community that the medical assistant is a professional committed to Lifelong Learning and keeping abreast of current developments in the medical assisting field.

Why Certification Matters

As a medical assistant, you play a vital role in the healthcare industry. You are the direct point of contact between patients and physicians, and you are responsible for ensuring that administrative tasks are taken care of in an efficient and timely manner. Your skills and abilities are critical to the success of any medical practice, and it is important to keep your certification up to date.

There are many reasons why certification matters. First and foremost, it shows your commitment to your profession. When you renew your certification, you are showing your employer that you are dedicated to keeping your skills current and that you are willing to invest in your own professional development.

In addition, certification can help you advance in your career. Many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, and some positions may require certification. By renewing your certification, you will make yourself more marketable to potential employers and open up new opportunities for career advancement.

Finally, keeping your certification current demonstrates your commitment to patient care. When you renew your certification, you are affirming your dedication to providing quality care for patients. This is an important consideration for both current and future employers.

Renewing your medical assistant certification is important for many reasons. By taking the time to renew your certification, you will show your dedication to your profession, open up new opportunities for career advancement, and demonstrate your commitment to quality patient care.

How to Keep Your Certification Active

As a certified medical assistant, you are required to renew your certification every few years in order to maintain an active status. The process of renewing your certification may vary slightly depending on which agency issued your certification, but there are some general steps that are typically required.

Before you begin the renewal process, make sure that you have all of the documentation and paperwork that will be required. This may include items such as your current certification certificate, proof of continuing education credits, and application fees. Once you have gathered all of the necessary documentation, you can begin the renewal process.

The first step is to fill out the renewal application. This will require you to provide personal information such as your name and contact information, as well as information about your current employer and job duties. Once you have completed the application, you will need to submit it along with any required documentation and fees.

Once your application has been processed, you will typically receive notification from the certifying agency advising you of the status of your renewal. If everything is in order, you should expect to receive a new certificate showing the updated expiration date. If there are any problems with your renewal application, you will be notified of what is needed in order to correct the issue and complete the process.