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 choose a training class. Cherry Hill, New Jersey is house to many state recognized 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 Cherry Hill, the typical class size ranges from 10–30 students.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to industry guidelines. Program accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an accredited 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 misunderstood. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply confirms that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero 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 maintained 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 up to date with the latest regulations, techniques, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple 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 completion of a medical administrative assistant training program, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)’. This is a entirely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a medical administrative assistant training class and is required to take the national certification examination for individuals with no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their skills put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must maintain their certification each 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 cover the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in medical assisting. Many professional associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical administrative assistants enhance and advance their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that medical administrative assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to quality care, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can enhance their knowledge, build their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require 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 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 fully online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare on your schedule and from the convenience of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are separate charges for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered to take the certification exam, take advantage of a wide range of study resources to maximize your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is stored in your account. Your digital copy, and 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 Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Training in medical assisting is a solid starting point 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 expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand helps ensure a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a stable 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 expanding job openings and a fast-track training period, medical assisting is a efficient way to begin a rewarding 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 be required to renew their CMAA Certification after two years. A medical administrative assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the medical administrative assistant satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not have to go register 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 certification for the next 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 finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific procedures and deadlines to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CMAA Certification.
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly proficient 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 responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Cherry Hill, New Jersey 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 prefer to speak 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.
