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 school. Commerce, Iowa is home to many state qualified medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Administrative Assistant career. A Medical Administrative Assistant training program consists of approximately 40–80 in-class hours with no separate clinical rotations. In Commerce, the typical class size ranges from about 10 to 30 students.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when comparing a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is a quality assurance 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 appropriate education that is aligned with healthcare industry standards.
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 nationally certified. It simply confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To officially become 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 updated 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 professional practices, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward 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 your successful 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 unquestionably common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training course and is required to sit for the national certification examination for individuals who’ve acquired 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 authorizing 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 cover 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 maintain 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 make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only proves 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 sharpen their expertise, grow their professional network, and prepare 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 comprehensive study guide, endless practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the comfort of home. Be sure to verify 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 competency exam, take advantage of a broad selection of prep tools to maximize your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough 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 core concepts and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help increase 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 repeated practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is provided in your account. Your digital copy, side by side 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 Commerce, Iowa. The field of 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 high demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand contributes to a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable and worthwhile career choice.
Medical Administrative Assistants typically perform 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 relatively short training period, medical assisting is a efficient 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 be required to renew their CMAA Certification every two years. A medical administrative assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their credentials expires. This will permit the medical administrative assistant enough time to review their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a school 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 period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the medical assisting field.
If your certification becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific procedures and deadlines to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly competent 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 needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Commerce, Iowa should tell their 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 request to talk with someone about 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.
