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. Lincoln, Nebraska 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 includes approximately 40–80 in-class hours without any external clinical requirements. In Lincoln, the typical class size ranges from ten to thirty students.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to professional standards. Program accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive comprehensive education that is aligned with healthcare industry standards.
After finishing 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 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 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 industry standards, procedures, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount 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 school, you will have 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 successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training school and is required to attempt the national certification exam for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their competency put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must maintain their certification 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 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 enhance and develop their skills.
There are many certification agencies that medical administrative assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can significantly impact your career.
Pursuing medical assisting certification not only shows your expertise and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for 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 prefer certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes an all-inclusive 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 verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are additional costs 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 prep tools to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as comprehensive 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 theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification 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, 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 Lincoln, Nebraska. The field of medical assisting is a solid starting point into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical administrative assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical administrative assistants are in strong demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a strong job 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 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 need 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 complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a school 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 following 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, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly competent medical administrative assistant with over 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 Lincoln, Nebraska 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.
