CCMA (NHA) - Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies is a professional credential for medical assistants who provide direct patient care in various healthcare settings. This certification demonstrates proficiency in clinical procedures, patient care and basic administrative duties.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the CMA exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency and meet one of the two following criteria:

1. Completed a medical assistant training or education program within the last 5 years

2. Completed 1 year of supervised work experience in a medical assisting field within the last 3 years or 2 years within the last 5 years

Completion Time: 3 hours

Cost: Not available

Exam Format

The CCMA exam is a multiple-choice test administered at approved locations, such as the candidate's education institution. They’re also administered at PSI testing centers nationwide. The exam includes 150 scored questions and 30 unscored, pre-test items. Topics on the exam include:

• Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science (15)

• Anatomy and Physiology (8)

• Clinical Patient Care (84)

• Patient Care Coordination and Education (12)

• Administrative Assisting (12)

• Communication and Customer Service (12)

• Medical Law and Ethics (7) 

Preliminary score reports are available immediately upon completion of computer-based exams taken at the candidate's educational institution. Score reports for candidates who take computer-based exams at PSI testing centers or via Live Remote Proctoring are available within 48 hours of completing the exam. Candidates who take a written exam receive their score report within 24 hours of NHA receiving the answer sheets, which can take up to 10 business days following the exam date.

Unsuccessful candidates may retake the exam after a 30-day waiting period. Candidates may take the exam 3 times before having to wait 1 year to take the exam again. For each exam retake, candidates must re-register and pay the full exam fee each time.

Application Process

• Check eligibility

• Create a candidate profile

• Register for exam

• Read and agree with the Attestation Agreement

CCMA must renew their certification every 2 years. 

Renewal Fees

• $179 every 2 years

• $60 for each additional NHA certification an applicant holds

Renewal requires completion of 10 continuing education credits within each 2-year certification cycle. NHA offers CE courses to current CMMA certificate holders. Renewal applicants holding multiple NHA certifications only need to complete 10 CE credits total to renew all certifications.

CCMA certification holders who work in California and train other medical assistants must complete 60 hours of CE every 5 years.

• Study Guides and Practice Tests

• CCMA Test Plan

• Candidate Handbook

The NHA also offers the following certifications:

• Certified EKG Technician (CET)

• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

• Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT-A)

• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)

• Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) 

• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Other related certifications include the AMT Registered Medical Assistant (RMT).