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 choose a training school. Woodbury, Minnesota is house to many state endorsed 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 Woodbury, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a medical assisting training program, it’s important to be careful and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the vital training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are required for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its recognized standing and adherence to professional standards. Program 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 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 confirms that you’ve finished 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 set 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 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 professional practices, advancements, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the amount 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 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 very common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a medical assistant training school and is required to register for the national certification test for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To officially 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 update their certification once 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 organizations 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 competency and commitment to quality care, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their knowledge, build 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 strong 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 fully 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 explore whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are separate charges for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered to sit for the credentialing exam, utilize a broad selection of study resources to maximize your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that closely align with 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 weaker areas, and regular use of simulated practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re well 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 require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, and 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 Woodbury, Minnesota. Medical assisting is a solid gateway into the medical workforce, 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, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable and worthwhile 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 growing opportunities and a fast-track 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 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 permit the medical assistant enough time to attend their continuing education hours and attempt 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 entirely 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, filing a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly skilled medical assistant with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can work 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 Woodbury, Minnesota 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 like to request to talk 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.
