Where Can I Take the Medical Assistant Certification Exam?

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Introduction

There are many different ways that you can take the medical assistant Certification Exam. You can take it online, through a study course, or at a physical location.

What is the medical assistant Certification Exam?

The Medical Assistant Certification Exam is a multiple-choice exam that tests a medical assistant’s knowledge of Medical Terminology anatomy, physiology, and basic patient care. The exam is administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) and is often taken by those who wish to become certified Medical assistants (CMAs). CMAs are not required to be licensed in most states, but the certification may make them more marketable to potential employers.

Who Can Take the Certification Exam?

The Medical Assistant Certification Exam is administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have worked full-time as a medical assistant for at least five years. Graduates of non-accredited programs may be eligible to take the exam if they have worked full-time as a medical assistant for at least five years and can provide proof of completing a minimum of 720 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction in medical assisting.

When is the Exam Offered?

The exam is offered four times a year at over 200 test sites across the United States You can find a test site near you by visiting the website of the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants.

How Much Does the Exam Cost?

After you have completed a certified medical assistant program, you will be required to take a certification exam in order to practice. The cost of the certification exam is not covered by most educational programs, so you will need to budget for this expense. The cost of the exam varies depending on the provider, but it is typically between $100 and $200.

What is the Exam Format?

The CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam is a computer-based test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, patient relations, medical office procedures, and insurance processing. You will have three hours to complete the exam.

How is the Exam Graded?

The Medical Assistant Certification Exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam consisting of 200 questions. The time limit for the exam is five hours. The passing score for the exam is set by each individual state.

During the exam, you will be asked questions about medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, infection control, patient confidentiality, recordkeeping, insurance billing and coding, and medical office procedures.

What is the Pass/Fail Rate for the Exam?

The pass/fail rate for the medical assistant certification exam varies by testing site. In general, the passing rates are between 70-80%.

What are the Consequences of Failing the Exam?

There are a few different consequences that could come from failing the medical assistant certification exam. The first is that you will not be able to become a certified medical assistant, which could limit your job options in the future. You may also have to retake the exam at a later date, and there may be fees associated with this. Additionally, your employer may be less likely to trust you with patient care if you do not have your certification.

How Can I Prepare for the Exam?

The Medical Assistant Certification Exam (MACE) is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Taking and passing the MACE is required in order to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

According to the AAMA, “To sit for the MACE, an applicant must be a graduate of a 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).”

You can find a list of accredited medical assistant programs on the AAMA website. If you have not yet graduated from an accredited program, you are not eligible to take the MACE.

If you have graduated from an accredited program, you can register for the MACE online through the AAMA website. The registration fee is $125 for AAMA members and $235 for non-members. The exam fee includes two attempts at taking and passing the MACE, as well as access to practice exams and study materials.

You will have three hours to complete the 175-question multiple-choice exam. The exam covers five knowledge domains: general, administrative, clinical, infection control/safety, and interpersonal/communications.

A passing score on the MACE is 18 correct answers out of 25 questions in each knowledge domain. This means that you must answer at least 72 out of 175 questions correctly overall in order to pass the exam.