Getting Your Medical Assistant Certification
Earning your medical assistant certification will provide the professional edge you need in the job market. Certification means that a medical assistant meets high standards of competence and professionalism.
Over 90 percent of medical assistants choose to become certified even though the law does not require it. Most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, and some states require certification to perform specific job duties, such as drawing blood or taking x-rays.
Medical Assisting Certification Requirements
To qualify for medical assistant certification, you must graduate from a school accredited by one of the following agencies:
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES): This is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a specialized accreditor of institutions focusing on health care education and training.
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP): This organization is the largest educational accreditor in the health sciences field. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits more than 2000 educational programs in twenty health science occupations.
Types of Medical Assistant Certifications
Graduates can earn the following medical assistant certifications:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA):
- Considered the gold standard of medical assisting certification, the CMA designation translates to a high level of prestige, better job security and greater career opportunities in the field.
- The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) awards the CMA credential to medical assistants who graduate from an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited program and pass a certification exam. Medical assistants who hold the CMA credential must renew their certification every five years.
- Beginning in April 2009, the CMA examination will become available throughout the year. For complete details on exam requirements, scheduling information and a list of frequently asked questions, refer to http://www.aama-ntl.org.
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA):
- Dedicated to enhancing professional and personal growth for allied health professionals, American Medical Technologists (AMT) awards the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential to qualifying individuals.
- To earn the RMA designation, medical assistants must have graduated from one of the following:
- An ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited program
- A regionally accredited program
- A formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces
- In addition, applicants must meet experience requirements and pass a certification exam. Medical assistants must renew their RMA certification every three years.
- The RMA exam is a computerized test offered almost every day of the year, except Sunday and holidays, at testing locations across the United States and Canada. For complete details on exam requirements, testing center locations and a list of frequently asked questions, refer to http://www.amt1.com/.
Specialized Medical Assisting Certifications
Medical assistants can also earn certification in a specialty practice area, usually from professional associations for the particular specialty. For example, in podiatry, optometry and ophthalmology, the following professional organizations provide their own educational, experience and examination requirements necessary for certification:
- American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (ASPMA)
- American Optometric Association (AOA)
- Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)
Invest in Career Success with Medical Assistant Certification
Becoming a certified medical assistant will help you achieve the best professional opportunities in the field, along with a higher earning potential. While certification will cost money and take time, it is a solid investment in your future and will eventually pay off by helping you earn a higher salary and achieve your career goals.
