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 complete a training school. Athens, Georgia is home to many state recognized medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Administrative Assistant career. A Medical Administrative Assistant training program is composed of forty to eighty in-class hours without any external clinical requirements. In Athens, the typical class size ranges from ten to thirty students.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive appropriate education that is aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
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 confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited experience.
To get certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps define 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 mandatory 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 in compliance with the latest professional practices, procedures, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the total and type of continuing education hours required, making it straightforward 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 program, you will have 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 completion of a medical administrative assistant training course and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their competency put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must update their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can be completed in several ways, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often focus on 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 enhance and advance their skills.
There are several 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 skills and commitment to high standards, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can strengthen their knowledge, grow their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes an all-inclusive study guide, unlimited practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare on your schedule and from the comfort of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, utilize a broad selection of exam preparation materials to enhance your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of simulated practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is downloadable in your account. Your digital copy, along 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 Athens, Georgia. Medical assisting is an excellent gateway into the medical industry, 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 the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand helps ensure a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a secure and attractive 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 vary depending on geography and experience. With increasing prospects and a brief training period, medical assisting is a great way to begin a meaningful 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 need to renew their CMAA Certification every two years. A medical administrative assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will allow the medical administrative assistant ample time to complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a medical administrative assisting course or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the new two year time period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the medical assisting field.
If your certification expires, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific procedures and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly proficient medical administrative assistant with over 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Athens, Georgia should provide students details about 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 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.
