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 enroll in a training program. Livonia, Michigan is house to many state attributed 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 delivered entirely in the classroom. In Livonia, the typical class size ranges from ten to thirty students.
One of the most important factors to consider when comparing a program is its approval status and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, 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 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 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 core 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, techniques, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined 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 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 very common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training school and is required to register for the national certification exam for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their competency put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must maintain their certification each 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 enhance and refine 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.
Pursuing medical assisting certification not only shows your competency and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can enhance their knowledge, 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 on your schedule and from the ease of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are separate charges for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered to take the competency exam, make use of a wide range of exam preparation materials 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 academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hastily inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is downloadable in your account. Your digital copy, paired 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 Livonia, Michigan. Medical assisting is a great entry 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 the growth of healthcare services, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a stable and appealing 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 fluctuate depending on region and experience. With increasing prospects and a fast-track 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 start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will permit the medical administrative assistant satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and submit 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 entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your certification for the new 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific guidelines and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly proficient 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 responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Livonia, Michigan 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 undergo the entire process online. If you would prefer to speak 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.
