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 program. Coral Gables, Florida 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 comprises 40–80 in-class hours without any external clinical requirements. In Coral Gables, 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 approval status and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is an official endorsement 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 finishing 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 verifies that you’ve finished 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 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 in compliance with the latest regulations, techniques, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward 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 gainful 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 very common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training class and is required to attempt the national certification exam for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To become certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must maintain 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical administrative assistants expand and develop their skills.
There are many 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 demonstrates your expertise and commitment to professional excellence, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can sharpen their knowledge, expand their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, endless 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 check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for premium materials.
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 prep tools 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 developing a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in weaker areas, 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 fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for replicating the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is available 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 start your medical career in Coral Gables, Florida. Medical assisting is a solid gateway into the medical field, 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, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a reliable 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 fluctuate depending on location and experience. With increasing prospects and a brief training period, medical assisting is a great 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 every two years. A medical administrative assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will allow the medical administrative assistant acceptable time to attend 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 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 becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly skilled medical administrative assistant with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Administrative Assistant Instructors can teach for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Coral Gables, Florida 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 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.
