How to prepare for the medical assistant exam
When a student has completed the coursework to become a Medical Assistant, the next step will be to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification/Recertification Examination. This exam is offered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). This exam does lead to medical assisting certification, not licensure. The difference between licensure and certification is basically the force of law behind the credentials and the regulatory authority established by the issuing body. Licensure grants a license to an individual to practice in a chosen profession, while certification is documentation that a student has met specified requirements for a chosen profession. Licensed health providers can be prevented from providing health care by a state regulatory agency, but the state has little to no regulatory authority over a certified health care provider, such as a CMA.
There is no state licensure or certification required to become a Medical Assistant. Those interested in the field of medical assisting are simply required to complete a Medical Assistant training program. Even though Medical Assistants are not required by law to be certified to practice in their field, many Medical Assistants choose to become certified. In order to be eligible to take the AAMA’s CMA Certification/Recertification Exam, students must graduate from a medical assisting training program that is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). Once this training program has been successfully completed, the student may apply to take the CMA exam.
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The CMA exam is offered in the following months throughout the year: January, June and October. Application deadlines do apply, and students will want to ensure application deadlines are met in a timely manner. The cost of the exam will be between $150 and $250 depending on the students association and membership with the AAMA, CAAHEP, and ABHES. CMA credentials must be renewed every 5 years. It should be noted that Medical Assistant certification is not the same as licensure. The certification simply serves to provide evidence that the student passed the national certification exam in his or her area of study. However, the CMA certification is a nationally recognized designation within the healthcare industry and can be advantageous to medical assisting professionals.
After students submit their application to take the CMA exam, students will receive a scheduling permit. When the student has received this permit, they can then schedule their testing date and location. Study tools are available to assist students in preparing for the exam, and students are encouraged utilize sample practice exams that are available.
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