Certified CMA

Certified CMA 2023: Test Prep: The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is a professional organization representing medical assistants throughout the country. Individuals who pass the AAMA exam earn a CMA (AAMA).

This credential is recognized throughout the United States. Once they have earned the credential, individuals must be recertified every five years by continuing education or reexamination. This recertification is to demonstrate competency and knowledge in the field. All CMA (AAMA)’s must either take the exam again after five years or provide proof of 60 continuing education units to the AAMA. The specific information about recertifying by continuing education is available on the AAMA website (http://www.aama-ntl.org).

To be eligible to take the AAMA exam, candidates must meet one of the following conditions:

• Category 1: This is for the graduating student or recent graduate of a medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Students must be within 30 days of completing their education and externship to take the exam.
• Category 2: This category is for the individual who is not a recent graduate of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. If you graduated more than 12 months prior to the exam date, you are considered a nonrecent graduate. The fee for the examination may be higher if you are not a member of the AAMA. You must submit a transcript with proof of graduation.
• Category 3: The last category is for individuals who are already CMA (AAMA)s and are applying to recertify the credential. You must submit a copy of a current provider-level CPR and a
  copy of your current CMA (AAMA) certificate

The AAMA certification exam is offered in a variety of locations throughout the year. It is very important that you review the current Candidate Application and Handbook in detail. This handbook provides the latest information on the steps you need to follow to take the exam as well as the application that must be completed. The timing of your application to take the exam is important. If you are planning to take the exam soon after graduation, you must apply no less than five months in advance of the date you will complete your medical assisting program.

The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions. The content of the exam is outlined in the Handbook in detail. You should be prepared to answer questions on all of the topics outlined. The current exam is administered in two 80-minute segments, with an optional 20-minute break between segments. The entire exam is taken on a computer, so you must be comfortable with test taking on a computer.