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.
Training is one way to qualify for certification, but it is not the only option. Depending on your background and the certification you are pursuing, you may also qualify through an employer-based program, military medical training, or relevant work experience. Some certifications may require additional hands-on experience or documentation.
Not sure which pathway applies to you? An NPS Advisor can help you understand your options and next steps.
Eligibility requirements vary by certification. State, employer, and facility requirements may also apply. NPS provides certification testing and credential issuance. NPS does not provide or supervise the independent training programs listed on this page. Certification does not guarantee employment, licensure, or employer acceptance. Read the NPS Candidate Handbook
The first step to your career as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is to enroll in a training class. Lakeside, Georgia is house to many state attributed 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 outside of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In Lakeside, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a medical assisting training school, it’s important to be careful and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the vital training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are vital for gaining real-world experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating 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 appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After graduating from 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 confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To get 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 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 current with the latest professional practices, techniques, and compliance measures. 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 advisor to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon your successful completion of a medical assistant training program, you will receive 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 school and is required to sit for the national certification exam for individuals with no experience in the field.
NPS is not a school or training program. NPS is an examination provider and national certification agency.
Receive your NPS national certification, with online verification available within one hour of passing the exam.
Meet the baseline requirements, then follow an eligibility pathway that applies to you.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Under 18? An age waiver may be required.
EDUCATION / PROGRAM
A qualifying education, employer, apprenticeship, or military training pathway may meet eligibility requirements.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Qualifying supervised work experience in the field may meet the experience pathway.
1 Yr In Last 3 Yrs
2 Yrs In Last 5 Yrs
FUTURE EXPERIENCE
Where permitted by the applicable NPS pathway, required hands-on experience may be completed within the allowed 180-day window.
180-Day Window
To 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 organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants expand 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.
Earning medical assisting certification not only proves your skills and commitment to high standards, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their expertise, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $225.00 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 on your schedule and from the comfort of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are extra fees for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, take advantage of a wide range of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated 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 highly beneficial for replicating the real test environment and identifying 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 final exam, your credentials are quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, side by side your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
*NPS study materials and practice exams are included as optional preparation resources. Candidates are not required to access or complete them before taking the certification examination. After completing identity verification and receiving application approval, eligible candidates may proceed directly to the exam. Use of preparation resources does not guarantee a passing score or certification.
Now that you’re a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Lakeside, Georgia. Training in medical assisting is a solid 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 the growth of healthcare services, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable and attractive career choice.
Medical Assistants typically perform 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 increasing prospects 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 after two years. A medical assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the medical assistant sufficient time to complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go register 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 certification for the next two year period is $225.00. 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 reinstatement options. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific procedures and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CCMA Certification.
A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly proficient 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Lakeside, Georgia 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 like to request 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.
