Medical Administrative Assistants oversee front-office operations — scheduling appointments, managing medical records, processing billing and insurance claims, and facilitating patient communications—to ensure efficient, accurate, and compassionate care. Follow this NPS guide to earn your Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) credential.
The first step to your career as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is to attend a training class. Ashawa, Iowa is house to many state endorsed medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Administrative Assistant career. A Medical Administrative Assistant training program includes approximately 40–80 in-class hours with no separate clinical rotations. In Ashawa, the typical class size ranges from ten to thirty students.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive proper education that is aligned with healthcare best practices.
After graduating from a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply verifies that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To get certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps establish national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be updated every two years, and completing continuing education is a core requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) remain up to date with the latest regulations, techniques, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy for professionals to maintain their credentials.
If you are planning to attend a medical assisting training program and would like an NPS adviser to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)’. This is a totally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training school and is required to take the national certification test for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To become certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their competency put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must renew their certification every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can take many forms, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often include the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in medical assisting. Many professional organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical administrative assistants expand and advance their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that medical administrative assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can make a big difference in your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only proves your competency and commitment to professional excellence, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can strengthen their expertise, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, repeated practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed fully online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the ease of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are extra fees for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered to take the competency exam, make use of a broad selection of exam preparation materials to maximize your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial for mirroring the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hastily inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is available in your account. Your digital copy, paired with your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
Now that you’re a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Ashawa, Iowa. Training in medical assisting is an excellent entry point into the medical workforce, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical administrative assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical administrative assistants are in great demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a secure and appealing career choice.
Medical Administrative Assistants typically are scheduled for a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $43,380, though wages can differ depending on geography and experience. With increasing prospects and a relatively short training period, medical assisting is a great way to begin a fulfilling healthcare career.
NPS works with multiple staffing agencies to help our members find a career in the medical administrative assisting field.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant will have to renew their CMAA Certification after two years. A medical administrative assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the medical administrative assistant satisfactory time to review their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to a medical administrative assisting course or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed from start to finish online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your certification for the new two year period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the medical assisting field.
If your certification lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly intelligent medical administrative assistant with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Administrative Assistant Instructors can instruct for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Ashawa, Iowa should tell their students with the instructors background and credentials.
If a medical administrative assistant meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) they can complete the entire process online. If you would like to request to talk with someone regarding the process, contact us today.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Instructor (CMAAI).
National Performance Specialists is also partnered with the American Red Cross to provide job placement assistance to NPS Members and to assist the American Red Cross in recruiting quality candidates across the United States.
All NPS certification programs are proudly listed within the Certification Finder by CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and is a proud partner of the AmericanJobCenter network.
