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. McKinney, Texas is home to many state credited 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 with no separate clinical rotations. In McKinney, the typical class size ranges from about 10 to 30 students.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to industry guidelines. 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 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 confused. This document does not make you a certified medical administrative assistant. It simply proves that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To get 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 current with the latest professional practices, procedures, and regulations. 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 your completion of a medical administrative assistant training class, you will get 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 completion of a medical administrative assistant training course and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals with 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 once 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 focus on 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 develop their skills.
There are several certification agencies that medical administrative assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only shows your skills and commitment to quality care, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can enhance their capabilities, 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 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 convenience of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are extra fees for advanced resources.
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 exam preparation materials to enhance 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 reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of complete practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for replicating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is provided 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 start your medical career in McKinney, Texas. Training in 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 strong demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a secure and appealing 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 differ depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings and a relatively short training period, medical assisting is a great way to begin a meaningful 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 have 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 have 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 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 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 processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines and cutoff dates 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 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 McKinney, Texas 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 finalize 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.
