The demands of health care delivery are greater than ever.

In the specialized world of health care, one versatile professional stands out: the CMA (AAMA). This credential represents a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) who has achieved certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The CMA (AAMA) is in greater demand than ever.

Medical assistants are the only allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians' offices, clinics and group practices. These multiskilled personnel can perform administrative and clinical procedures. Physicians value this unique versatility more and more, as managed care compels them to contain costs and manage human resources efficiently. Not surprisingly, the demand for medical assistants is expanding rapidly.

What sets the CMA (AAMA) apart among medical assistants is the certification. A medical assistant first earns the CMA (AAMA) credential by passing a rigorous examination that requires a thorough, broad and current understanding of health care delivery.

For details, go to How to Become a CMA (AAMA).

Then, the CMA (AAMA) must renew the credential every 60 months. This means keeping abreast of new developments in the health care delivery field by participating in approved continuing education study programs, reading authoritative texts, and networking with other medical assistants who are certified. Health care delivery is changing every day. The CMA (AAMA) keeps changing with it.

The CMA (AAMA) credential is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) - the only medical assisting organization granted Official Observer Status to the American Medical Association's House of Delegates. The National Board of Medical Examiners - responsible for many national examinations for physicians - serves as test consultant for the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination. As a result, the reliability and validity of the CMA (AAMA) credential is of the highest order.

The recertification requirement can be met by examination or through continuing education. Current certified status is required in order to use the CMA (AAMA) credential.

Please contact the AAMA for more information at info@aama-ntl.org.