American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) www.aama-ntl.org |
American Medical Technologists (AMT) www.amt1.com |
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) www.nhanow.com |
National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) www.ncctinc.com |
|
MA certification since | 1963 | 1972 | 1989 | 1989 |
Credential | CMA | RMA | CCMA/CMAA[1] | NCMA |
Other allied health credentials | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Orientation | Not-for-profit | Not-for-profit | For-profit | For-profit |
Recognition | Nationwide | Nationwide | Nationwide | Nationwide |
CERTIFICATION | ||||
Eligibility criteria | Graduate of CAAHEP/ABHES accredited MA programs |
|
High School / GED, at least 18 years old
|
High School / GED
|
Not eligible | Guilty of a felony | Guilty of a felony |
|
Guilty of a felony |
Application fee | $125/$250[4] | $95 | CCMA: $149 CMAA: $105 |
Student Fee: $90[5] Regular Fee: $135 |
Exam lifetime attempts[6] | 3 | 4 | limitless | 3 |
Examination format | Computer-based | Computer or paper based | Computer or paper based | Computer or paper based |
Test type | Multiple-Choice | Multiple-Choice | Multiple-Choice | Multiple-Choice |
Test duration | 160min | 180min | n/a | n/a |
RECERTIFICATION | ||||
Recertification by examination[7] | Yes | No | No | No |
Recertification by continuing education | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Certification period | 5 years | 3 years | 2 years | 5 years |
Required CE points/hours per year | 12 | 10 | 5 | 14 |
Annual recertification payment | No | $50 | $80 | $77 |
Internal CE points[8] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
External CE points | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Online recertification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
CPR certification requirement | Yes | No | No | No |
MEMBERSHIP | ||||
Membership | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Membership fee | $25-$107[9] | All AMT certification holders | No | No |
Discounts | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Career assistance (job placement) | No | Yes | No | No |
Legal advice | Yes | No | No | No |
- NHA is the only organization that splits up the medical assistant certification in two different categories: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
- The medical assistant program has to be partnered with NHA.
- If your school program isn’t approved by NCCT, have your program official call NCCT to submit the appropriate documentation for consideration.
- For AAMA-members and recent graduates (within the last 12 months) of an accredited MA program $125, for non-members $250.
- Applicants qualify for student fee if currently in school or graduated within the last 6 months.
- If not passed within the allowed amount of attempts the examinee is no more eligible for the credential.
- Unlike AAMA, which additionally offers the option for recertification through examination, other three certification bodies provide only a reinstatement option.
- Possibility to earn CE points either through internal continuing education programs offered by the corresponding certification body or from other/external sources.
- The level of membership fees is based on place of residence and status.