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. Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to many state endorsed 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 allied with the program. In Tulsa, 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 100% of them provide the critical training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining real-world experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when researching a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, 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 quality expectations.
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 zero 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 maintained every two years, and completing continuing education is a mandatory 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 in compliance 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 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 receive a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a enormously common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical assistant training class and is required to register for the national certification exam for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a medical assistant must have their skills put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must maintain their certification each 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants expand and develop their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can significantly impact your career.
Obtaining medical assisting certification not only shows your skills and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can strengthen their expertise, grow their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a competitive 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 at your own pace 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 to take 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 evaluating prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in challenging topics, 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 thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and pinpointing 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 certification exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials 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 start your medical career in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Training in medical assisting is a solid gateway into the medical industry, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical assistants are in great demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making medical assisting a secure 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 differ depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings 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 every two years. A medical assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will permit the medical assistant sufficient time to complete their continuing education hours and attempt 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 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 becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific guidelines and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly proficient medical assistant with over 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can work 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma 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 prefer 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.
