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 enroll in a training class. Bend, Oregon is house to many state approved medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Assistant career. A medical assisting training program is generally between 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place separate of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute united with the program. In Bend, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a medical assisting training program, it’s important to be thorough and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the necessary training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its approval status and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive appropriate 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 confused. This document does not make you nationally certified. 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 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 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 current with the latest professional practices, procedures, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide clear 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 assistant training program, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a unquestionably common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a medical assistant training course and is required to attempt the national certification test for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical assistant must have their skills put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must renew 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 cover 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 assistants enhance and refine their skills.
There are many certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can significantly impact your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your competency 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 expertise, expand their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a standout 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 with flexibility and from the convenience of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are separate charges for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, utilize a variety of exam preparation materials to maximize 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 reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of complete practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials 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 Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you’re ready to start your medical career in Bend, Oregon. Medical assisting is a solid starting point into the medical workforce, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical assistants are in high demand across the healthcare industry due to the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a reliable 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 vary depending on region and experience. With growing opportunities 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 be required to renew their CCMA Certification after two years. A medical assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will permit the medical assistant ample time to review their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back 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 certification 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 fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly competent medical assistant with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can teach for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Bend, Oregon should tell their students with 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 speak 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.
