CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) Certification Exam

In the healthcare industry, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification exam is a crucial standard that attests to the professionalism and skill of those who want to work as medical assistants. This test is the first step toward a career that allows medical assistants to seamlessly integrate clinical knowledge with administrative effectiveness, which is essential for patient care and the efficient running of healthcare institutions.

The demanding CMA certification exam is meant to appraise candidates’ knowledge and abilities in order to certify them as medical assistants. Employers in the healthcare industry use it as a standard to find applicants who meet the requirements necessary to succeed in this varied position. In addition to opening opportunities to a rewarding profession, passing the CMA certification exam demonstrates a person’s dedication to offering high-quality patient care in the medical community.

Here is what you need to know about the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) Certification Exam 2023:

Contents

Purpose of the CMA Certification Exam

The CMA certification exam is designed to ensure that medical assistants possess the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality patient care.
It serves as a standard for employers to gauge the competency of medical assistant candidates.

Exam Content

The CMA certification exam covers a wide range of topics, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical law and ethics, clinical and administrative procedures, and pharmacology.
Candidates are tested on their ability to perform essential tasks such as taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, administering medications, and maintaining medical records.

Exam Format

The CMA certification exam is typically a computer-based test (CBT) administered at Pearson VUE testing centers.
The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, with 20 of them serving as unscored pretest questions for future exam development.
Candidates have a total of 160 minutes (2 hours and 40 minutes) to complete the exam.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CMA certification exam, candidates must have completed a medical assisting program from an accredited institution or have equivalent work experience.
Some candidates may also need to provide proof of education or training.

Study Resources

Preparing for the CMA certification exam requires diligent study. There are various resources available, such as textbooks, study guides, online courses, and practice exams.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers official study materials and practice exams to help candidates prepare.

Exam Scoring

The CMA exam is scored on a scaled system, with the passing score determined by the difficulty of the questions.
Candidates receive their scores immediately upon completing the exam.

Benefits of CMA Certification

Achieving CMA certification demonstrates to employers and patients that you have met the highest standards of competence and professionalism in medical assisting.

CMAs often have better job prospects and may command higher salaries compared to non-certified medical assistants.

Recertification

CMA certification is valid for five years, after which medical assistants must recertify by either retaking the CMA exam or completing continuing education.

Exam Registration

Verify eligibility for the exam.
Submit documentation of eligibility.
Review and approve exam policies.
Determine your 90-day exam period.

Once your 90-period is decided, you must take your exam within those 90 days.

Exam Fee

Registering for the exam isn’t free, and the exam fee varies according to how quickly after graduation you apply. For example, if you apply for the exam up to 12 months after graduation from your medical assisting college (or up to 30 days prior to graduation), you qualify for “recent graduate” status and will be charged a fee of $125 regardless of your AAMA membership status.

However, if your graduation date is more than one year in the past, your exam fee will be $125 only if you’re a current member of the AAMA. If you are not a member, your exam fee will be $250.

Durability

There are 200 multiple-choice questions on the CMA, which are given out in four 40-minute periods. There will be an optional 20-minute break in between each section of the 160-minute exam. Prior to the examination, there will be a 15-minute exam tutorial; however, this will not be included in your allotted 160 minutes.

Exam Date

CMA Testing Window	First Exam Date	Last Exam Date	Last Date to Register
January/February	Jan. 1, 2023	Feb. 28, 2023	Feb. 15, 2023
May/June	May 1, 2023	June 30, 2023	June 15, 2023
September/October	Sept. 1, 2023	Oct. 31, 2023	Oct. 15, 2023

Latest News

The 2023 CMA Awards, billed as “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” are scheduled for November 8 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Post Malone, Mac McAnally, The War And Treaty, and the Zac Brown Band are among the other musicians scheduled to perform in 2023.

Furthermore, a special tribute to the late beach rock icon Jimmy Buffett will honor him. It will include performances by his friend and eleven-time CMA winner Kenny Chesney, ten-time CMA winner and longtime member of the Coral Reefer Band Mac McAnally, sixteen-time CMA winner Alan Jackson, and 2023 Vocal Group of the Year nominee Zac Brown Band.

CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) Certification Exam 2023