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 class. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 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 compiled of 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute joined with the program. In Pittsburgh, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a medical assisting training program, it’s important to be methodical and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the critical 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 clinical lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to industry guidelines. 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 approved training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After graduating from 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 confirms that you’ve completed 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 define 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 up to date with the latest professional practices, advancements, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the total 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 program, 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 take the national certification exam for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To become 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 maintain 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 cover 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 expand and advance their skills.
There are several certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can make a big difference in your career.
Earning medical assisting certification not only proves your expertise and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their capabilities, build their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, unlimited 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 at your own pace and from the comfort of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources 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 to take the credentialing exam, take advantage of a wide range of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as comprehensive 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 academic material and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re well 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 unlimited practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are rapidly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is made available 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Training in medical assisting is a great starting point into the medical workforce, 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 the growth of healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a reliable 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 region and experience. With increasing prospects and a brief training period, medical assisting is a smart 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 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 sufficient time to review their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to a medical assisting course 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 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific procedures and deadlines to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly skilled medical assistant with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can teach 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 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 prefer to speak 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.
