Become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Earn your nationally recognized NPS CMAA certification through on-demand online testing with remote proctoring.

Get your exam results within one hour and, after successfully completing all certification requirements, receive same-day certification and credential verification.

Free optional study modules, unlimited practice exams, and three certification exam attempts are included. Already prepared? Eligible candidates can proceed directly to the certification exam after application approval.

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) Certification

$225

Registration Includes:

  • National Certification Exam
  • Study Materials
  • Unlimited Practice Exams
  • Three Exam Attempts
  • On-demand Testing
Register Now

Training Prepares — NPS Certifies

NPS is not a school or training program. NPS is an examination provider and national certification agency.

BEFORE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION
1

Prepare

Receive education, training, or experience in the field.

Prepare
Independent of NPS
NPS CERTIFICATION PROCESS
2

Qualify

Meet the NPS eligibility requirements listed in the Candidate Handbook.

Qualify
NPS
3

Test

Take the secure proctored NPS certification exam.

Test
NPS
4

Certify

Receive your NPS national certification, with online verification available within one hour of passing the exam.

Certify
NPS

NPS CERTIFICATION COMPARISON

Compare CMAA Certification Costs

See how NPS compares with other certification agencies on exam fees, optional preparation resources, and included exam attempts

Compare CMAA Certification Costs: price comparison between NPS, NHA, NCCT, AMT
NPS NHA NCCT AMT
Credential CMAA CMAA NCMOA CMAS
Exam Fee $225 $129 $163 *with proctor fee $125
Study Materials Included $94 prep package $50 Bundled $100 Third-Party Bundle
Practice Exams Unlimited Attempts 6 attempts included 3 Attempts $25 10 Attempts Included
Exam Attempts 3 Attempts 1 Attempt 1 Attempt 1 Attempt
Total With Prep $225 $223 $238 $225

Why candidates choose NPS

  • One Price
    No Surprise
    Add-On Costs

  • Optional Prep
    Included at
    No Extra Cost

  • Verifiable
    National
    Credential

  • Three Exam
    Attempts
    Included

  • 24/7
    On-Demand
    Testing

Ready to Get CMAA Certified?

Register for CMAA Certification

Prices shown are based on publicly available information as of 2026 and may change.
NPS study materials and practice exams are included as optional preparation resources only.

YOUR ELIGIBILITY PATH

NPS Eligibility Pathways

Meet the baseline requirements, then follow an eligibility pathway that applies to you.

How Do I Qualify?

START HERE

High school diploma or equivalent.

Under 18? An age waiver may be required.

QUALIFY
1 2 3

EDUCATION / PROGRAM

Completed relevant education or employer-based training

A qualifying education, employer, apprenticeship, or military training pathway may meet eligibility requirements.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Already working in the field?

Qualifying supervised work experience in the field may meet the experience pathway.

1 Yr In Last 3 Yrs

2 Yrs In Last 5 Yrs

FUTURE EXPERIENCE

Still completing required hands-on experience?

Where permitted by the applicable NPS pathway, required hands-on experience may be completed within the allowed 180-day window.

180-Day Window

What we offer

Obtaining a CMAA certification demonstrates competency within the medical administrative assistant field. CMAA credential holders have demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of the content domains that encompass the tasks and knowledge requirements of medical administrative assistants.

Earning your CMAA through National Performance Specialists provides a national certification credential that employers, schools, and other organizations can verify through NPS Verify and demonstrates that you have met the applicable NPS certification requirements.

All NPS initial & renewal certification exams are remote proctored. NPS Remote Proctoring allows you to take your certification exam from the comfort of your home. Our advanced system provides you with 3 certification exam attempts and on-demand testing so you can test anytime without scheduling or going to a testing center.

Medical Administrative Assistant Career Overview

Medical administrative assistants are essential team members at hospitals, doctor's offices, outpatient facilities, and clinics. They are responsible for the following duties: Typical responsibilities include:

Accomplishing office tasks

Using office software and equipment

Managing operational reports

Answering calls and scheduling appointments

Updating patient electronic medical records

Greeting patients and completing intake

Verifying patient or donor identity

As advancements in medical technology rise, more employers are requiring national certification in the administrative field each year.

Medical Administrative Assistant Salary and Job Outlook

The median annual wage for medical secretaries and administrative assistants was $45,930 in May 2025. Around 979,000 people worked in this occupation nationwide in 2025, with employment projected to grow 5% through 2035. These statistics describe the broader occupation, not CMAA certification holders exclusively.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

About our Certified Medical Administrative Assistant process

Become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant in 4 easy steps:

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
1 ​Register with NPS

Medical Administrative Assistants who have completed a Medical Administrative Assistant training program or possess equivalent practical experience working in the field may register to sit for the CMAA certification exam.

The first step you need to take in your online CMAA certification is to register. Once you’ve completed your registration, you will receive access to your certification materials. Certification materials include complete comprehensive study materials, unlimited practice exams, and three attempts to take the certification exam.

Watch the Certification Overview video below for an inside look at the certification process.

*Complete exam qualifications and requirements can be found in the NPS Candidate Handbook.

Medical Administrative Assistant Working
2 Using our e-learning platform

Your NPS account guides you through identity verification and the Candidate Application. Once your application is approved, you can access the certification examination without first completing study modules or practice exams. Free optional study modules and unlimited practice exams are available if you want to prepare before testing. NPS advisors can assist throughout the certification process.

*NPS study materials and practice exams are included as optional preparation resources. Candidates are not required to access or complete them before taking the certification examination. After completing identity verification and receiving application approval, eligible candidates may proceed directly to the exam. Use of preparation resources does not guarantee a passing score or certification.

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Exam
3 Taking the exam

NPS offers on-demand online testing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Once you're prepared and all exam requirements are met, you can test when you're ready.

The CMAA certification exam has 100 multiple-choice questions with a 120-minute time limit. You may take the certification exam at any time, and you have a total of 3 attempts to pass the CMAA exam without any retake fees.

Each time you take a practice exam or the certification exam, you will be provided with a domain proficiency report that will show you the areas of the study materials you need to focus on to improve your score.

Upon completion of your national certification exam, your results will be provided to you within 1 hour.

Online Medical Administrative Assistant Program
4 Receiving your certification

Once you pass, your digital certification is issued immediately and is instantly verifiable. Exam results are available within 1 hour, provided no proctoring violation is identified.

The cost for your initial two-year CMAA certification period is $225.

Your competency-based study guide, unlimited practice exams, and three chances to take the CMAA certification exam are all included in the cost of your initial certification, as well as unlimited medically-driven resume revisions and job placement assistance.

On average, these services would cost over $450, but with NPS they are all included for one low cost of $225.

NPS Certification Overview

Why Us

When you register for online testing you are able to complete the certification process online, at your own pace.

Immediate proof of certification

When you pass the certification exam, your NPS national certification is issued and becomes immediately verifiable through NPS Verify. Your digital certification and digital badge are available in your account, and the badge includes a QR code that allows employers, schools, and other organizations to quickly verify your certification status and credential details.

Proud members of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence

NPS remains a proud member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.). You may view our membership using our Credly Badge that is issued by I.C.E.

Preparation resources included

NPS includes optional study materials, unlimited practice exams, and three certification exam attempts with your registration, giving you flexible preparation resources without separate study-material or retake fees.

Setting high standards in the medical administrative assistant community

We expect NPS-​certified members to present themselves professionally. National Performance Specialists is a subdivision of ​t​he National Association for Psychometric Competency Testing (NAPCT). We reserve the right to revoke certifications at any time if an NPS​-​certified member does not conduct themselves as a moral and professional member of the allied health community. NPS certified members are rigorously tested and held to the utmost standards.

Benefits

  • Medical Administrative Assistant certification materials

    Complete study materials and unlimited practice exams

  • National certification exam

    Three attempts to pass the exam without retake fees

  • Job placement assistance

    The largest network of allied health recruiters & staffing agencies

  • Professional medically-driven resume

    Free professional resume builder available for all certified members

  • Digital national medical administrative assistant certification

    Provided immediately on our site.

  • Digital certification and verification

    Once you have passed the certification exam, your certification is able to be printed and verified.

Register For Your CMAA Certification

Program Includes:
Study Materials  Unlimited Practice Exams  Three Exam Attempts
Program Includes:
  • Study Materials
  • Unlimited Practice Exams
  • Three Exam Attempts

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