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 course. Revere, Massachusetts is home to many state credited 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 separate of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In Revere, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a medical assisting training course, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. 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 lack clinical hours, which are required for gaining hands-on experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when researching a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After completing a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misunderstood. 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 no prior experience.
To 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 renewed 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 current with the latest industry standards, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide clear 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 class, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a entirely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical assistant training school and is required to register for the national certification exam 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 authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must renew 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants enhance and develop their skills.
There are several certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Pursuing medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your competency 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 strengthen their expertise, grow their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for 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 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 at your own pace and from the convenience of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides free resources 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 to sit for the competency exam, utilize a broad selection of exam preparation materials to enhance 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 match the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing 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 build your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for mirroring the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated 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 national 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.
Now that you’re a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you’re ready to start your medical career in Revere, Massachusetts. Medical assisting is a great gateway 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 expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable and attractive 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 location and experience. With growing opportunities and a brief training period, medical assisting is a efficient 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 be required to renew their CCMA Certification after 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 enough time to review their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register 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 credentials for the following two year period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the medical assisting field.
If your certification lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific procedures and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly competent 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Revere, Massachusetts 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 finalize the entire process online. If you would prefer 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.
