FAQs on Medical Assisting and the CMA :: AAMA - The American Association of Medical Assistants

For your convenience, here are answers to frequently asked questions regarding certification and the medical assisting profession.

If you do not see the answer to your question below, please contact us at info@aama-ntl.org.

What responsibilities can be included in a medical assistant's job description?
What do medical assistants earn?
What is certification, and how is it obtained?
Is certification permanent?
If I'm certified in one state and I move to another, is my credential still valid?

Q. What responsibilities can be included in a medical assistant's job description?

Using computer applications
Answering telephones
Greeting patients
Updating and filing patient medical records
Coding and filling out insurance forms
Scheduling appointments
Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping

Taking medical histories
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting the physician during the exam
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Performing basic laboratory tests
Instructing patients about medication and special diets
Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
Authorizing prescription refills as directed
Drawing blood
Taking electrocardiograms
Removing sutures and changing dressings

Medical assisting is a rapidly expanding segment of the work force. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (visit http://stats.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm, medical assisting is projected to be one of the fastest growing professions. The home page for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is http://stats.bls.gov.

A: The Certifying Board of American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) awards the CMA (AAMA) credential to medical assistants who have accomplished two objectives:

First, they have successfully completed a medical assisting educational program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Second, they have passed the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination. For more information, go to How to Become a CMA (AAMA).

A: No. Medical assistants who are certified must recertify the credential every 60 months, either by earning credits known as continuing education units or by taking the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination.

Effective January 1, 2010, all newly certified and recertifying CMAs (AAMA) will be current through the end of the calendar month of initial certification or most recent recertification for 60 months after initial certification or most recent recertification.

Q: If I'm certified in one state and I move to another, is my credential still valid?

A: Yes. The CMA (AAMA) credential is a national certification recognized by employers across the country.