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 school. Midland, Texas is house to many state qualified medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Assistant career. A medical assisting training program is generally a total of 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 joined with the program. In Midland, 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 each of them provide the vital training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. 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 approved training program ensures that you receive proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.
After graduating from a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply proves that you’ve finished 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 establish 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 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 regulations, techniques, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the amount 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 your completion of a medical assistant training school, you will get 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 your successful completion of a medical assistant training course and is required to take the national certification examination for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a medical assistant must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must update their certification every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can come in multiple formats, 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 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 right one can make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to professional excellence, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their knowledge, expand their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a standout 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 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare on your schedule and from the ease of home. Be sure to verify 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 credentialing exam, utilize a broad selection of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in trouble spots, 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 well prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams 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 charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national 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 Midland, Texas. The field of medical assisting is an excellent entry point into the medical field, 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 increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a stable and appealing 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 geography and experience. With growing opportunities and a relatively short training period, medical assisting is a great way to begin a fulfilling 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 certification expires. This will permit the medical assistant satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register 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 certification for the new 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 reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines and deadlines to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly talented 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Midland, Texas should provide 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 undergo 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.
