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Medical Assistant Certification
The medical industry considers a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) to be as valuable as gold when it comes to Medical Assistant certification. The Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical (AAMA) Assistants is the authorizing body to issue the Medical Assistant certification. In some cases, States and employers are requiring that CMAs hold their credentials through the AAMA. As a CMA the applicant is approved to work as a medical assistant certificate or medical assistant certification online.
The first step to becoming a CMA is to complete the required medical assistant degree program or online medical assistant degree in medical assisting with an accredited school and receive a Medical Assistant diploma. Courses for a medical assistant degree or online medical assistant degree include human anatomy, physiology, pathology, and medical terminology, computer applications for record keeping and coding, laboratory and clinic procedures. Studies for a medical assistant degree or online medical assistant degree also include pharmacology, medication administration, first aid, patient relations and medical law are part of classes, and these will be covered on the Medical Assistant certification test. Students will gain actual field experience by working on site in ambulatory health care environments under supervision, which is part of the medical assistant certificate or medical assistant certification online curriculum.
Once the medical assistant certificate or medical assistant certification online studies are completed, it’s time to apply for the exam. The student needs to fill out the application and attach all required documentation for a Medical Assistant diploma. Documentation for first timers versus re-certifying applicants may be different, be sure to read the instructions completely. Understand that submitting incomplete applications will delay scheduling for a Medical Assistant diploma exam. In some cases the applications may be returned.
If the applicant is an existing member of AAMA, Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CCAHP), Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), has a Medical Assistant diploma or a recent student graduate, the medical assistant certificate or medical assistant certification online fee amount is $125. All others are required to pay $250. The Medical Assistant certification fees are not refundable or transferable and personal checks are not accepted. Applicants must pay the fees using some form of credit or debit card, money order or cashier’s check.
The application has been receive by the department, the applicant will receive a status notice 30 days from the date of application. On approval, the department will send the applicant a scheduling permit, with Medical Assistant certification testing date schedules within a 3 week timeframe. Read the permit instructions, it contains the location, time and contact numbers to make an appointment for testing. The sooner the appointment is scheduled the more likely the applicant will receive the selected time and location.
The application information contains a medical assistant degree or online medical assistant degree content outline for the exam. Concentrate on current publications, which are talking about administrative and clinic procedures, anatomy and physiology, medical terminologies, guideline and regulations. Here’s a helpful tip, before submitting the test application for CMA, take the practice test from AAMA. The practice test exam covers topics of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology. By following these helpful steps, you are well on your way to getting your medical assistant certification.
