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 class. Madison, Wisconsin is home to many state attributed 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 of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute associated with the program. In Madison, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing 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 practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are vital for gaining hands-on 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 essential factors to consider when researching a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Program accreditation is an official endorsement 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 quality expectations.
After finishing 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 verifies that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited 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 key 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 industry standards, techniques, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount 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 your completion of a medical assistant training course, you will get 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 sit for the national certification examination for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical assistant must have their competency 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 include 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 right one can make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only proves your skills and commitment to quality care, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen 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 strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive 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 at your own pace and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered for the credentialing exam, make use of a wide range of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that closely align with 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 complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are invaluable for mirroring the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is made available 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 begin your medical career in Madison, Wisconsin. Training in medical assisting is a great gateway into the medical industry, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical assistants are in strong demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, 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 vary depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings and a relatively short 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 every two years. A medical assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will allow the medical assistant acceptable time to complete their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back 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 certification for the next two year 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 ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific guidelines and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly intelligent medical assistant with over 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can instruct 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 Madison, Wisconsin 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 request to talk 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.
