Choosing a career as a medical assistant can be very rewarding, both in terms of career stability and job satisfaction. At the top level of this field is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). A CMA is a credentialed professional certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The CMA certification gives these professional great career opportunities and increased job security. The test is conducted by the National Board of Medical Examiners, ensuring that the test if reliable and valid and that proper security procedures are followed during the exam.

Many employers now require their assistants to have CMA certification. To become a CMA, the applicant must complete an accredited medical assistance training program. The program will include both academic and clinical training in the several different areas, including anatomy and physiology, terminology, computers and record keeping, insurance coding and processing, lab techniques, clinical procedures, pharmacology, first aid, patient relations, and ethics.

The next step is to pass the CMA examination. Upon graduation, the applicant must take and pass the CMA exam. The certification exam is available throughout the year. At the time of application, the student must provide documentation that the training program has been completed and pay the test fees. The fees are $125 for AAMA members for for students and recent graduates of CAAHEP and ABHES. For all other applicants, the fees are $250. The fees are not refundable or transferable.

After the application is processed and approved, a scheduling permit is sent with instructions for scheduling the exam. There are many tools available, both online and in textbook form, to help students prepare. To pass the exam, it's recommended that students do the following:

-Use study resources. Current publications covering medical assisting will contain articles about administrative or clinical procedures, anatomy, physiology, terminology, regulation, and lab procedures. These can be useful tools for refreshing and expanding the student's knowledge base.

-The Content Outline for the exam provides a useful study tool to ensure that all appropriate exam topics are covered in study reviews.

-CMA Exam review courses are offered in many different areas. If the course if provided by an accredited program or a local AAMA chapter, these can be very useful study aides. The AAMA helps member locate these types of courses, as well as connecting local medical assistants and students to form study groups.

-Practice exams are available so students can test their knowledge in key areas, such as anatomy and physiology or terminology.