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 course. Gulfport, Mississippi 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 includes forty to eighty in-class hours with no separate clinical rotations. In Gulfport, the typical class size ranges from 10–30 students.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. 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 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 misinterpreted. This document does not make you a certified medical administrative assistant. It simply verifies that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To become 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 up to date with the latest professional practices, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the total and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy 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 course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)’. This is a unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training school and is required to take the national certification examination 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 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 include 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 develop their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that medical administrative assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can positively influence your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only shows your skills and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can sharpen their capabilities, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require 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 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 100% 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 included study tools or if there are separate charges for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, take advantage of a wide range of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in challenging topics, 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 thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are highly beneficial for mirroring the real test environment and identifying 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 inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification 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 begin your medical career in Gulfport, Mississippi. The field of medical assisting is a great 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, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a reliable and attractive 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 vary depending on geography and experience. With increasing prospects 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 week their credentials expires. This will permit the medical administrative assistant sufficient time to complete their continuing education hours and take 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 next two year 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 completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with 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 capable 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Gulfport, Mississippi should provide 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 finalize the entire process online. If you would like 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.
