If you want to become a medical administrative assistant, you may consider pursuing a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This certification is the most popular for medical administrative assistants in the United States.
The CMAA certification shows employers that you have the knowledge, skills, and training you need to be a strong member of the healthcare team. Earning a certification makes you a more competitive job applicant and may help you get a higher salary. Over 75% of employers prefer or require their medical administrative assistants to have a certification.
To be eligible for the CMAA exam, you must complete an approved medical administrative assistant course or have work experience as an MAA.
This guide goes over those requirements, what’s on the exam, and everything else you need to know about the CMAA certification.
Overview of the NHA & CMAA Certification
The National Healthcareer Association is the largest allied health certification agency in the United States. They have awarded over 1 million nationally recognized certifications in medical assisting, phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, medical administrative assisting, patient care technician, EKG technician, and more.
Most hospitals and other healthcare organizations recognize and respect certifications earned through the NHA, and states that require certifications typically recognize those given by the NHA.
The CMAA certification focuses on skills and knowledge needed for a successful career as a medical administrative assistant. Employees who complete their training and pass their exams enter the workforce with an advantage over those without a certification or many years of experience.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistants typically work in physicians' offices and help with scheduling, billing, insurance claims, customer service, and office organization.
Eligibility Requirements for the CMAA Exam
After earning a high school diploma or GED, there are two pathways you can take on your way to becoming eligible for the CMAA exam:
- Take an MAA course. The first option is to enroll in a medical administrative assistant training program. Training programs must be approved by the National Healthcareer Association and completed within 5 years of attempting the CMAA exam.
- Work experience. The second pathway to becoming eligible for the CMAA exam is to get 1 year of supervised work experience in the medical administrative assistant field within 3 years of the exam or 2 years of supervised work experience in the medical administrative assistant field within 5 years of the exam.
More About the NHA’s CMAA Exam
Being well-prepared and knowing what to expect improves your chances of passing the CMAA exam on the first try. While taking a course should prepare you for the exam, it is nice to have additional information.
What’s on the CMAA Exam
The topics covered in the CMAA exam include the following:
Questions on the exam are in a multiple-choice format, and students have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam.
In addition to the 110-scored questions, there are 25 unscored questions that are used to build future test questions. Students are not permitted to bring notes, scratch paper, or calculators to their exam.
Tests are taken either in a testing center or via an online proctor.
Requirements to Pass the CMAA Exam
The CMAA exam uses a scaled scoring system to give candidates a grade. Each question can be worth a different number of points based on difficulty or importance.
Candidates must achieve a scaled score of 390/500 (78%) or higher to pass the CMAA exam.
How Much the CMAA Exam Costs
Candidates must register for the test and pay an exam fee of $117. Some schools include the exam costs in their tuition.
Every 2 years, CMAAs must pay a renewal fee of $185 and complete continuing education courses.
How to Prepare for the CMAA Exam
The best way to prepare for the CMAA exam is to choose a good training program. Online programs like Stepful will give you all of the information you need to pass your exam while supporting you with excellent teachers and career counselors along the way.
After you complete your training program, be sure to spend enough time reviewing what you've learned and taking plenty of practice exams. The NHA offers practice exams, study guides, test preparation packages, and testing outlines to help you prepare for your exam.
CMAA Exam Statistics
The pass rate for the CMAA exam in 2023 was 69%. Of the certification exams offered by the NHA, the CMAA has one of the three lowest passing rates.
8,866 people took the CMAA exam in 2023, and there were 15,684 active certifications in the same year.
Tips for Earning Your CCMA Certification
Earning your CMAA certification is a smart first step towards a great career. While getting your certification is not considered very difficult, you will have to commit some time and effort to be successful.
Here are some tips to successfully earn your CMAA certification:
- Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. When you register for your exam, you will have to submit proof that you meet eligibility requirements. If you are using work experience, be ready to submit paystubs from your job as a medical administrative assistant, and ask your supervisor to write you a letter.
- Have a good studying strategy. Waiting until the last minute to study will make passing your exam much more difficult. Spend an hour or two each day studying in the weeks leading up to your exam. In addition, find out what type of learner you are and seek out that study material. For example, you may learn better through reading, listening, watching, or taking notes.
- Take a few practice tests. When you take practice tests, make them as realistic as possible. Taking a test without using your notes will let you find out where your weaknesses and strengths are, and focus your study on the areas you struggle with.
- Choose the right program. When looking for a training program, ask about their overall certification rates. A program with higher-than-average certification rates will give you a better chance of passing your exam on the first try.
- Feel your best on test day. Try to go to sleep early the night before your exam. In addition, make sure to arrive at the testing center early to give yourself time to find a parking spot, use the restroom, and drink some water. Eat a moderately filling meal an hour or two before your exam, and wear comfortable clothing to your test.
Renewing Your CCMA Certification
After you earn your certification, you’ll need to make sure it does not expire. Certifications must be renewed every two years.
Renewal requires paying a $185 fee and submitting proof of at least 10 credits of continuing education credits related to medical administrative assisting.
If your certification expires, you have one year to reinstate it. After one year, you have to retake your exam and resubmit proof of eligibility.
