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. Medford, Oregon is home to many state recognized 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 Medford, the typical class size ranges from 10–30 students.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. Program accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive proper education that is aligned with healthcare best practices.
After graduating from a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply confirms that you’ve completed 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 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 current with the latest regulations, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number 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 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 completely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training course and is required to take the national certification examination for individuals with 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 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 include 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 several certification agencies that medical administrative assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only shows your skills and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can enhance their expertise, build their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require 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 an all-inclusive study guide, repeated 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 at your own pace and from the convenience of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources 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 for the credentialing exam, make use of a broad selection of exam preparation materials to enhance your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate 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 highly beneficial for replicating the real test environment and spotting 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 hastily 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 Medford, Oregon. Training in medical assisting is a great 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 great demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a stable 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 expanding job openings and a brief training period, medical assisting is a great 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 start the process at least 30 days prior to the day 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 have to go register 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and covering 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 adept medical administrative assistant with greater 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 Medford, Oregon 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 undergo 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.
