CMAA (NHA) - Certified Medical Administrative Assistant

The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification is designed for individuals specializing in administrative functions within healthcare settings. This certification demonstrates proficiency in managing medical office operations, including patient scheduling, healthcare records, billing and insurance processing, and general office management.

Completion Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Cost: $129

Exam Format

This computer-based exam is offered at PSI testing center locations or through live remote proctoring at the location of your choice

The CMAA exam typically includes 135 multiple-choice questions covering medical office management, patient registration and scheduling, medical records management, health insurance and billing, and compliance with healthcare laws.

Eligibility and Certification Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Completion of a medical administrative assistant training program, which often includes courses in medical terminology, healthcare systems, office procedures, and computer applications.

• 1 year of verified experience medical administrative assisting experience in the past 3 years or 2 years of verified experience medical administrative assisting experience in the past 5 years.

• Some programs may also include an externship or practical experience component.

Certification Process

• Apply for the CMAA certification through a certifying organization like the NHA.

• Meet the eligibility criteria and pass the CMAA certification examination.

• The raw score of the CMAA exam is converted to a scaled score ranging from 200 to 500, with the minimum passing score being 390.

CMAA certification requires renewal every 2 years.

Renewal Fees

• $185

• $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 CMAA certificate holders. Renewal applicants holding multiple NHA certifications only need to complete 10 CE credits total to renew all certifications.

Continuing education for CMAAs may include updates in healthcare regulations, advances in medical office technology, best practices in healthcare administration, and customer service skills.

• CMAA Study Guides and Practice Tests

• NHA Candidate Handbook

• CMAA Test Plan

For specific information regarding Certified Medical Administrative Assistant certification, including eligibility criteria, examination details, approved educational programs, and renewal processes, it is recommended to consult directly with professional certifying organizations such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). These organizations provide comprehensive resources and standards for professionals in medical administrative roles.

Career Opportunities

Certified Medical Administrative Assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and other medical facilities. Responsibilities include managing patient records, scheduling appointments, handling billing and insurance claims, and providing administrative support to healthcare professionals.

The NHA also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

• 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)