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 attend a training class. Tyler, Texas 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 forty to eighty in-class hours with no separate clinical rotations. In Tyler, the typical class size ranges from 10–30 students.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its approval status and adherence to industry guidelines. Program 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 industry standards.
After completing 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 confirms that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior 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 updated 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 professional practices, advancements, and guidelines. 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 your completion of a medical administrative assistant training school, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)’. This is a totally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical administrative assistant training program and is required to take the national certification test for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, a medical administrative assistant must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical administrative assistant must update their certification every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can be completed in several ways, 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 associations 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 make a big difference in your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only proves your competency and commitment to high standards, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical administrative assistants can strengthen their knowledge, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require 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 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 entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the ease of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources 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 prep tools to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as thorough 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 core concepts and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for mirroring the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, side by side 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 Tyler, Texas. The field of medical assisting is a great gateway into the medical field, 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, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable 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 vary depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings and a fast-track training period, medical assisting is a efficient 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 after two years. A medical administrative assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will allow the medical administrative assistant ample time to review their continuing education hours and take 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 entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the next 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 completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific guidelines and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CMAA Certification.
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor (CMAAI) is a highly adept medical administrative assistant with more than 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Tyler, Texas should tell their 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 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.
