Information For 
Earning your CMAA credentials will help you:
Meet employer requirements
Access better career opportunities
Maximize earning potential
Enhance knowledge
and skills
Certified medical administrative assistants make a difference every day
Medical administrative assistants (also called medical office assistants or medical secretaries) are critical in keeping healthcare offices running smoothly, and also play an important role in the patient experience. Tasks vary by setting, but may include:
- Reviewing and answering practice correspondence
- Operating computer systems to accomplish office tasks
- Answering calls and scheduling appointments
- Greeting patients and updating electronic medical records
- Updating and maintaining patient and other practice-specific information
- Coordinating operation reports such as time and attendance
- Operating office software and equipment
NHA partners with educators and employers across the United States to educate, train and certify medical administrative assistants. Find a job near you to start your journey toward this rewarding and in-demand career.
Visit our Career Center
75% of employers require or encourage certification for medical administrative assistants. (Source: 2020 Industry Outlook)
CMAA exam eligibility
Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency; or are scheduled to earn a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency in the next 12 months*
*Click here for more details on the certification pathway for high school health science students.
Completed a medical administrative assistant
training or education program within the last 5 years
OR
Possess a high school diploma
or GED/high school equivalency
1 year of supervised work experience in a medical administrative assistant field within the last 3 years; or 2 years of supervised work experience in a medical administrative assistant field within the last 5 years
See Candidate Handbook for more information about Eligibility Requirements.
Being NHA certified has allowed me the opportunity to not just have a job, but have a CAREER! Lupee Beauchamp, CMAA, CCMA
5 steps to medical administrative assistant certification
Apply for your exam
Create a free NHA account online, anytime, and submit your Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam application through your account portal.
Set a date
Select the date and location–online or in-person–for your exam. (A CMAA exam fee payment is required during this step.)
Prepare, prepare, prepare
Time to study! We're here to support you. We have study materials available, including an interactive study guide and CMAA practice test.
Take the exam
You'll take the exam either at your school, a PSI testing center near you or through live remote proctoring at the location of your choice.
Get your results
For online CMAA exams, NHA will officially post your certification results to your account page within two days of scoring your test.
Is your school or employer sponsoring your exam?
When you create your NHA account, be sure to select your organization type, school or training program, or employer in order to:
- Access any pre-purchased materials or exams available to you
- Take advantage of possible discounts
- Share your exam results with your school or employer
Ready to get your certification?
Prepare for your certification exam
Access proven CMAA exam preparation materials that are designed to help you succeed.
*The purchase of NHA exam preparation materials is not required to sit for any NCCA-accredited certification exam and use does not guarantee a passing score on an exam. All NHA exams are NCCA-accredited.
Preparing your students or healthcare team for their CMAA exam?
Talk to a certification specialist & see how easy it is to get started with your partners at NHA!
Renew your certification
Keeping your certification current is a small investment (just $7 per month!) that can help you achieve your career goals as a medical office assistant.
Continuing Education
- 10 Continuing Education (CE) credits are required every two years to maintain certification
- NHA's continuing education courses are free to current certification holders
- You can complete your 10 CE credits any time prior to your certification expiration and our CE library is available online 24/7
- Our CE library is continuously updated so you can learn the latest protocols and techniques
Learn More About Continuing Education ‣
Need to renew your certification?