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 program. Jacksonville, Florida is home to many state recognized 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 Jacksonville, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a medical assisting training school, it’s important to be thorough and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the vital training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are required for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when researching a program is its recognized standing and adherence to industry guidelines. Program accreditation is formal recognition 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 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 misinterpreted. 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 establish 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 in compliance with the latest professional practices, advancements, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy 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 school, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a completely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical assistant training course and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical assistant must have their competency put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must renew their certification once 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants expand and develop their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can significantly impact your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to professional excellence, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their knowledge, grow their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a strong 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 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the convenience of home. Be sure to check 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 for the competency exam, take advantage of a wide range of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of full-length 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, mock exams are invaluable for simulating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is stored 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 Jacksonville, Florida. Training in medical assisting is an excellent starting point into the medical field, 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, a rise in senior patients, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a stable and appealing 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 geography and experience. With expanding job openings and a fast-track 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 every 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 satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back 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 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 becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check 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 bright 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Jacksonville, Florida 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 complete the entire process online. If you would like 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.
