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 program. Pueblo, Colorado 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 between 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 associated with the program. In Pueblo, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a medical assisting training school, it’s important to be thorough and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the vital training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a clinical 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 accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. Program 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 accredited training program ensures that you receive comprehensive 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 finished 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 define national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be updated every two years, and completing continuing education is a core 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, procedures, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the total 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 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 unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a medical assistant training program and is required to register for the national certification examination for individuals with no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a medical assistant must have their competency put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must maintain their certification each 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 associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants maintain and develop their skills.
There are several 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 shows your competency and commitment to quality care, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can enhance their expertise, expand their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 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 entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare on your schedule and from the convenience of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are extra fees for premium materials.
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 prep tools to maximize 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 reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are highly beneficial for mirroring the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is provided in your account. Your digital copy, side by side 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 Pueblo, Colorado. 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 the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a strong job outlook, making medical assisting a secure 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 fluctuate depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings and a fast-track training period, medical assisting is a great way to begin a rewarding 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 have to renew their CCMA Certification every two years. A medical assistant should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will allow the medical assistant satisfactory time to review their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a training program 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 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult 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 over 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can teach for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Pueblo, Colorado should provide 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 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.
