Clinical Medical Assistants prepare patients, record vital signs and medical histories, perform phlebotomy and EKGs, administer medications and injections, and assist with exams and minor procedures — ensuring accurate diagnostics and compassionate support. Follow this NPS guide to earn your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential.
The first step to your career as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is to choose a training school. Beaverton, Oregon is home to many state credited medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Assistant career. A medical assisting training program is generally about 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place after completion of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute joined with the program. In Beaverton, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a medical assisting training school, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the vital training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are required for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation 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 proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.
After completing a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you a certified medical 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 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 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 Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) remain in compliance with the latest industry standards, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined 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 successful completion of a medical assistant training class, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a medical assistant training course and is required to register for the national certification exam for individuals with no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a medical assistant must have their skills put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical 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 organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants enhance and develop their skills.
There are many certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to high standards, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can strengthen their capabilities, grow their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer 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, 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 with flexibility and from the comfort 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 Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered for the competency exam, utilize a broad selection of prep tools to enhance your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial for replicating the real test environment and pinpointing 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 final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is provided 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 Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Beaverton, Oregon. The field of medical assisting is a great entry point into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical assistants are in great demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand contributes to a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a stable and worthwhile career choice.
Medical Assistants typically are scheduled for a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $44,200, though wages can differ depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings and a brief 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 assisting field.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant will need to renew their CCMA Certification every two years. A medical assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their credentials expires. This will allow the medical assistant plenty time to attend their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a training program 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 next two year time 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 ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly skilled medical assistant with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can instruct 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 Beaverton, Oregon should provide students details about the instructors background and credentials.
If a medical assistant meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) 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 Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI).
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.
