How to Get National Certification for Medical Assistants

If you want to know how to get national certification for Medical assistants there are a few things you need to do. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to becoming a certified medical assistant

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Why get national certification for medical assistants?

There are several national organizations that offer certification for Medical Assistants and each has its own requirements. The most common are the Certified medical assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the National Certified medical assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

The requirements for each vary, but all include passing an exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits.

There are many benefits to becoming nationally certified as a medical assistant. First, it shows potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful medical assistant. In addition, many employers prefer to hire candidates who are nationally certified. Finally, once you are certified, you may be eligible for higher paying positions and positions with more responsibility.

How to become a certified medical assistant

Becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) requires completing an accredited medical assistant program and passing a nationally recognized certification exam. Once you have completed your training and passed the certification exam, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a CMA.

There are many medical assistant programs available, both online and in-person. To find an accredited program, you can search the database of accredited programs on the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) website. Once you have found an accredited program that meets your needs, you can apply to the program and complete the coursework.

After completing an accredited medical assistant program, you will then need to take and pass the Certification Examination for Medical Assistants (CMA Exam). This exam is offered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To register for the exam, you will need to create an account on the AAMA website and pay the Exam fee. Once you have registered for the exam, you will be able to schedule your exam date and location.

Upon passing the CMA Exam, you will receive your certification and will be able to start working as a certified medical assistant. You will need to renew your certification every 60 months by completing continuing education credits and paying a renewal fee.

What are the benefits of certification?

There are numerous benefits to becoming a certified medical assistant. Certification validates your skills and knowledge, demonstrating to employers that you are competent and qualified to perform the duties of a medical assistant. This can lead to increased job opportunities and higher wages. In addition, certified medical assistants often have better job satisfaction and career stability than non-certified medical assistants.

How to maintain certification

Renewal for the National Certification for Medical Assistants (NCMA) is every three years and can be done in one of two ways: continuing medical education (CME) credits or retaking the exam. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accrediting board that provides national certification for medical assistants and has recognized the NCMA as a gold standard in credentialing.

To renew by CME credits, candidates must earn 45 continuing education credits every three years. These credits can be earned through participation in a variety of activities, including, but not limited to:
-Attending national, state, or local conferences related to medical assisting
-Taking part in certain Webinars or other distance learning opportunities
-Completing academic coursework at an accredited college or university related to medical assisting or a health care field
-Publishing articles related to medical assisting in professional journals
-Presenting at national, state, or local conferences related to medical assisting

What are the requirements for certification?

The majority of certification organizations require medical assistants to have graduated from an accredited program. Some may also require a passing score on an exam covering both general and clinical knowledge. Depending on the state in which you work, you may also be required to become certified by the state in which you work.

What are the different types of certification?

There are different types of certification for medical assistants. The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential, and the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) awards the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. Haywood Community College in Clyde, North Carolina, awards a medical assisting diploma. Most states do not have specific certification or licensure requirements for medical assistants, but some employers prefer or require certification.

What is the process for certification?

The process for certification involves completing an accredited medical assistant program and passing a certification exam. Once you have completed your medical assistant program, you will need to submit an application to take the certification exam. The exam is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and is called the Certification Examination for Medical Assistants (CMA).

How much does certification cost?

The cost of medical assistant certification can range from free to over $200, depending on the organization granting the certification. Some employers may reimburse employees for the cost of certification. Discounts may be available for students or members of professional organizations.

The Board of Certification for Medical Assistants offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To be eligible for the credential, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and pass an exam. The fee for the exam is $125 for members of the American Association of Medical Assistants and $150 for non-members.

The American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential. To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from an accredited medical assisting program or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant. The fee for the exam is $125 for members and $150 for non-members.

The National Healthcare Association offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential. To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from a medical assistant program or have at least one year of experience working as a medical assistant. The fee for the exam is $115 for members and $135 for non-members.

How long is certification valid?

After you have successfully completed a medical assistant certification program and passed the accompanying exam, your certification will be valid for two years. In order to keep your certification active, you will need to complete continuing education (CE) credits during that time. The number of CE credits required varies by state, but is typically between 10 and 15 per year.

What are the recertification requirements?

The National Certification for Medical Assistants (NCMA) is a credentialing organization that provides certification for medical assistants. The NCMA credential is valid for five years from the date of issue. To maintain certification, medical assistants must complete a re-certification process every five years.

For medical assistants who wish to re-certify, there are two options: completing continuing education (CE) credits or passing a recertification exam.

To recertify by CE, medical assistants must accumulate 60 CE credits within the five-year period prior to their expiration date. These CE credits can be earned through completion of college coursework, attending conferences or seminars, or taking part in other learning opportunities approved by the NCMA.

Alternatively, medical assistants can choose to recertify by passing the NCMA Recertification Exam. This exam tests medical assistants on their knowledge of the core competencies required for the role. Medical assistants who choose this option must take the exam within 60 days of their expiration date.

Both options for recertification require payment of a fee to the NCMA. For medical assistants who are already members of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), there is a discounted rate for recertification.