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 complete a training school. Frisco, Texas is home 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 allied with the program. In Frisco, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a medical assisting training course, 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 vital training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are required for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when researching a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After completing a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misunderstood. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply proves that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited 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 mandatory 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, procedures, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number 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 course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a totally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a medical assistant training school and is required to sit for the national certification exam for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To become certified, a medical assistant must have their skills put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must update their certification each 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 assistants maintain and advance their skills.
There are many certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can make a big difference in your career.
Pursuing medical assisting certification not only shows your competency and commitment to high standards, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their expertise, grow their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require 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 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 advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered to sit for the competency exam, utilize a wide range of study resources to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed 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 academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of complete practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial for mirroring the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others require payment for 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 provided 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 start your medical career in Frisco, Texas. Training in 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 great demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making medical assisting a stable and appealing 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 brief training period, medical assisting is a smart 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 after two years. A medical assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their credentials expires. This will permit the medical assistant acceptable 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 entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the following 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific procedures and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly gifted medical assistant with over 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can instruct for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Frisco, Texas 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 like 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.
