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 choose a training course. Middle Spring, Pennsylvania 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 40–80 in-class hours only. In Middle Spring, the typical class size ranges from about 10 to 30 students.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an accredited 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 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 no prior experience.
To get 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 maintained 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 up to date with the latest regulations, techniques, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number and type of continuing education hours required, making it straightforward 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 successful 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 class and is required to take the national certification exam for individuals who’ve acquired 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 take many forms, 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 associations 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 most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only proves 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 expertise, build their professional network, and position themselves 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 an all-inclusive study guide, unlimited practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed entirely 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 explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are extra fees for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
Once you have registered for the competency exam, take advantage of a variety of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for mirroring the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others charge extra 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 national certification is provided 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 begin your medical career in Middle Spring, Pennsylvania. The field of medical assisting is an excellent entry 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 high demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a reliable and appealing 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 differ depending on location and experience. With growing opportunities and a fast-track 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 have to renew their CMAA Certification after two years. A medical administrative assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will allow the medical administrative assistant ample time to complete their continuing education hours and attempt 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 new 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 becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with 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 adept 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 needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Middle Spring, Pennsylvania 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 complete the entire process online. If you would prefer to talk with someone regarding 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.
