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 class. Austin, Texas is home to many state approved medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Administrative Assistant career. A Medical Administrative Assistant training program consists of 40–80 in-class hours delivered entirely in the classroom. In Austin, the typical class size ranges from about 10 to 30 students.
One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its accreditation and adherence to industry guidelines. Program 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 approved 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 nationally 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 set national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be renewed every two years, and completing continuing education is a key 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 regulations, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the number 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 your successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training school, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)’. This is a very common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training course and is required to take the national certification exam for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their skills put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must maintain their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can come in multiple formats, 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical administrative assistants maintain 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 significantly impact your career.
Obtaining 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 sharpen their knowledge, build their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, repeated 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 included study tools or if there are separate charges for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, utilize a broad selection of exam preparation materials to enhance your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are rapidly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is stored 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 start your medical career in Austin, Texas. Training in medical assisting is a solid gateway 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 increased access to healthcare, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a secure and worthwhile career choice.
Medical Administrative Assistants typically work 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 growing opportunities and a fast-track 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 after two years. A medical administrative assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the medical administrative assistant plenty time to review their continuing education hours and attempt 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 from start to finish online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific guidelines and deadlines to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly talented medical administrative assistant with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Administrative Assistant Instructors can work for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Austin, Texas 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 finalize the entire process online. If you would prefer 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.
