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 attend a training program. Bushwick, New York 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 between 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 united with the program. In Bushwick, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a medical assisting training school, it’s important to be careful and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the critical training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are vital 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 graduate from the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when researching a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Program accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive comprehensive education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After finishing 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 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 officially 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 renewed 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 up to date with the latest professional practices, 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 gainful completion of a medical assistant training class, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a very common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical assistant training class 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 once 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 associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants enhance and refine their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Pursuing medical assisting certification not only shows your competency and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their knowledge, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, repeated 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 at your own pace and from the ease of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides included study tools 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, make use of a wide range of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as comprehensive 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 core concepts and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is downloadable in your account. Your digital copy, paired 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 begin your medical career in Bushwick, New York. The field of medical assisting is an excellent gateway 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 increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable and attractive career choice.
Medical Assistants typically work a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $44,200, though wages can differ depending on region and experience. With growing opportunities and a relatively short training period, medical assisting is a great way to begin a rewarding 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 after two years. A medical assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will allow the medical assistant plenty time to complete their continuing education hours and submit 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 credentials 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 ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing 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.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly adept medical assistant with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can work 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 Bushwick, New York should tell their 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 speak with someone regarding 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.
