Certification

Benefits of CMA (AAMA) Certification

Earning your Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)^® credential can be the key to unlocking new opportunities, higher earning potential, and greater job security.

Eligibility

Explore your route to certification.

Learn More

Prepare

Learn about your exam prep resources.

Get Ready

Apply

If you're ready to take the exam, learn how to apply.

Start the Process

How do I submit an appeal?

Review and submit the Appeal Request Form.

If the candidate/certificant decides to pursue the appeal, a completed Appeal Request Form must be received by the AAMA Director of Certification within 15 working days to be forwarded to the Appeals Review Panel. The Appeals Review Panel will provide its decision within 15 working days. The decision of the Appeals Review Panel will be final.

Appeals that are complex in nature may require an extension of processing time.

How many times can I take the exam?

Candidates for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam are allowed six (6) attempts per year. Each attempt will require a new exam application and fee.

Medical Assistant with Patient in Wheelchair

Request for Proposal:

Develop an IV Training Course

The AAMA Certifying Board is seeking a school or education provider (including schools with a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program) to develop a comprehensive training course for medical assistants.

This course will focus on the skills and knowledge required to safely perform intravenous (IV) initiation and discontinuation. The training will ensure that participants are well-equipped to provide high-quality, safe care within their scope of practice and in compliance with state laws.

Read the Request-for-Proposal Document

About the Certification

The Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)^®—or CMA (AAMA)^®—credential represents a medical assistant who has achieved certification through the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The CMA (AAMA) has been educated and tested in a wide scope of general, clinical, and administrative responsibilities as outlined in the Content Outline for the CMA (AAMA)^® Certification Exam.

The certification program of the Certifying Board of the AAMA is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and complies with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. The NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).

The Certifying Board of the AAMA is committed to impartiality, objectivity, and fairness in all aspects of its CMA (AAMA) Certification Program. This commitment is reflected in all policies of the Certifying Board and the execution of all policies.

Exam Statistics

Below are the statistics on CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam from July 2024 to April 2025:

A total of 4,171 CMA (AAMA) Certification Exams were administered from July 2024 to April 2025. Of those, 2,680 were first time administrations.
The percent pass rate for first time administrations was 69%.
As of January 5, 2026, there were a total of 68,495 CMAs (AAMA)

CMA (AAMA) Core Values

Actively participate in the delivery of quality health care.
Promote patient safety and well-being.
Contribute to a positive health care experience for patients.
Demonstrate integrity and respect, and protect patient confidentiality.
Advocate for the essential value of certification and continuing education.
Embrace change, growth, and learning.

Read the AAMA's Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Standards

FAQs About CMA (AAMA) Certification

What is the exam like?

The computerized exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topic areas that are listed in the Content Outline for the CMA (AAMA)® Certification Exam.

Before the exam begins, there will be an optional tutorial that shows how to navigate through the exam. The maximum time allowed for the tutorial is five minutes. The time used for the tutorial is not counted as part of the test time and will not affect your score.

Upon completion of the tutorial, the exam will be administered in four 40-minute segments. You will have three optional breaks between each segment totaling 20 minutes. The first break after segment one will be five minutes, the second break after segment two will be ten minutes, and the third break after segment three will be five minutes. Your test time will not be extended if you decline the tutorial or the optional break time. You will have 160 minutes to answer all the exam questions. The maximum time allowed for your exam appointment, not including the tutorial or post-exam survey, is three hours (180 minutes).

Are accommodations available for the exam?

People with disabilities who require special accommodations on exam day must first be completely enrolled for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam before submitting a test accommodations request to PSI, our testing partner. Once completely enrolled and a scheduling email is received, candidates must use the PSI special accommodations link to submit the request and all required documentation to PSI. For more information, please review the PSI requirements for exam accommodation requests.

How do I access my AAMA ID when creating an account with PSI?

You can access your AAMA ID by signing into the AAMA website and selecting "My Account." Your ID will be found under the "Profile" section.

How is the exam scored?

Your score is based on the number of correct responses on the total examination. This score has been standardized and fixed on a scale that is based on a reference group, which comprises certification candidates who are graduates of CAAHEP- accredited programs taking the examination under standard conditions for the first time. The scale ranges from 200 to 800.

The Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants establishes the minimum passing score for each examination. A standard-setting exercise/study is conducted on a regular basis to establish the standard level of minimum competency an entry level medical assistant from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program must meet in order to pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam on the first attempt. The participants in this study are randomly selected from CMAs (AAMA) across the country who represent the profession. This study results in a standard that is translated to a minimum passing score. The minimum passing score (MPS) is 405. Thus, you will need to obtain a score of 405 or more to pass the examination. The AAMA Certifying Board may change this minimum required proficiency level as deemed appropriate.

When will I receive my exam results?

An official pass/fail notification will be provided to you immediately upon your completion of the exam.

Candidates will be emailed an official report of the score achieved approximately 24 hours after the exam date. You can also sign in to your AAMA account to check for updates on your exam status and your scores. (Scores will be posted to your account 24 hours after you take your exam.)

Candidates who pass the exam and have had all program requirements verified will be awarded the CMA (AAMA) credential, which will be confirmed by the issuance of a digital badge.

If you have not received a score report within 24 hours of the exam date, contact the AAMA Certification Department.

If I don't pass the exam, how soon can I reapply?

If your official result indicates that you did not pass, you may submit an application and the regular candidate fee at your earliest convenience.

What if I'm not receiving any email from the AAMA or PSI?

Consider these tips:

Make sure you have provided an email address that will be valid for the next year (school addresses often are closed after graduation).
If you need to change your email address, update your profile online or call the AAMA immediately at 800/228-2262.
Add CMAExam@aama-ntl.org and No-Reply@psiexams.com to your approved email list.
Check your spam or junk email folder for emails from CMAExam@aama-ntl.org and No-Reply@psiexams.com.

I’m retired. Can I still use my CMA (AAMA) credential?

The Certifying Board allows retired CMAs (AAMA) to use “CMA (AAMA)–Retired” after their names for ceremonial purposes only (e.g., national, regional, state, or local meetings) for a one-time fee of $50. Fill out the CMA (AAMA)–Retired Registration Form and submit to Certification@aama-ntl.org.

What if I’ve been found guilty of or pleaded guilty to a felony or had a professional license, registration, or certification denied, revoked, suspended, or subjected to probationary conditions?

The Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. If you wish to request that the Certifying Board permit you to take the test, you must submit a Request for Waiver Form and written evidence that demonstrates that your felony conviction or plea or professional misconduct should not prevent you from taking the CMA (AAMA) Exam.

See the AAMA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Standards and Procedures for CMAs (AAMA) and Exam Candidates for details.

How do I report a CMA (AAMA)?

In the event that a CMA (AAMA) or previous recipient of the CMA (AAMA) credential violates any of the principles established within the AAMA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Standards and Procedures for CMAs (AAMA) and Exam Candidates, an individual or organization may report the violation(s) using the CMA (AAMA) Grievance Investigation Procedure and Form.

How do I report a medical assistant misusing the credential?

A medical assistant who does not hold a medical assisting credential, or who holds a credential other than the CMA (AAMA), or whose CMA (AAMA) is not current is not permitted to use these initialisms or this phrase:

CMA (AAMA)®
CMA
Certified Medical Assistant®

Individuals may report an alleged misuse of these designations on the Credential Violations Report Form.

FAQs on the IV Microcredential

Why did the Certifying Board of the AAMA decide to offer an add-on microcredential to the CMA (AAMA)® in intravenous initiation and discontinuation?

For the last several years, the AAMA Executive Office staff (primarily AAMA Legal Counsel Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA) has been receiving a large, increasing number of questions from medical assistants, licensed providers, other health care professionals, and practice managers about whether the law in the inquirer’s state permits medical assistants to be delegated the initiation and discontinuation of IVs.

After reviewing the research findings and recommendations from staff, the Certifying Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the CMA (AAMA)® certification and the medical assisting profession to create an add-on microcredential in IV initiation and discontinuation to meet the growing market demand for medical assistants with these IV skills.

Who is eligible for the add-on microcredential in IV initiation and discontinuation?

Only medical assistants who hold a current CMA (AAMA) credential are eligible for the IV add-on microcredential.

Are medical assistants who do not hold a current CMA (AAMA) able to obtain the IV add-on microcredential?

No. Medical assistants who do not hold a current CMA (AAMA) credential are not eligible for the IV add-on microcredential.

What must a current CMA (AAMA) do to obtain this add-on microcredential?

A current CMA (AAMA) must complete a course in IV initiation and discontinuation that has been approved by the Certifying Board. The CMA (AAMA) must then submit an application to the AAMA Certification Department, with a copy of the certificate of completion of the IV course and a nominal application fee.

What must a current CMA (AAMA) do to maintain this add-on microcredential?

The IV add-on credential remains valid only while the individual maintains an active CMA (AAMA) credential. No additional continuing education or separate renewal process is required for the IV add-on credential at this time.

How can a current CMA (AAMA) who has completed an approved IV course indicate achievement of this add-on microcredential?

A current CMA (AAMA) who has completed an approved IV course is permitted to use the following designations after their name: “CMA (AAMA), I.V.” There must be no deviations from the format of these designations.

If the individual does not maintain the currency of their CMA (AAMA), the individual may no longer use the “CMA (AAMA)” or the “I.V.” designations.

Is the IV add-on microcredential an additional certification or a specialty certification?

No. The IV add-on microcredential is not an additional certification or a specialty certification like the CMA-A, CMA-P, and CMA-C specialty certifications that were discontinued by the Certifying Board in the 1980s. The add-on microcredential requires the completion of a course in IV initiation and discontinuation. Although these approved courses require verification of the requisite knowledge and psychomotor skill for safe and competent IV initiation, obtaining the IV add-on microcredential does not require the passing of a certification examination.

What are the requirements that a course in IV initiation and discontinuation must meet to be approved by the Certifying Board?

Details of the requirements can be found in the Request for Proposal on the AAMA website.

How many states permit medical assistants to initiate and discontinue IVs?

Approximately 8 states permit medical assistants to initiate and discontinue IVs. Approximately 10 states forbid medical assistants from initiating IVs. The laws of the remaining 32 states neither specifically authorize nor forbid medical assistants from initiating IVs.

The AAMA has started working to get state laws changed to allow CMAs (AAMA), I.V. to initiate and discontinue IVs.

FAQs on the Clinical Support Medical Assistant Credential

Why did the Certifying Board of the AAMA decide to create the Clinical Support Medical Assistant credential?

The United States Congress established the Workforce Pell Grant Program (Program) by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025. Workforce programs eligible for the Program are 150–599 clock hours in length (or an equivalent number of credit hours) and take at least eight weeks but fewer than 15 weeks of instructional time to complete. The Program goes into effect July 1, 2026. Students in workforce programs that meet the Workforce Pell Grant Program requirements will be eligible for federal grants to cover the costs of attending the program. It is anticipated that some (perhaps many) medical assisting programs will be started to meet the requirements of the Program.

The Certifying Board determined that completers of Workforce Pell Grant medical assisting programs should have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality credential that is limited to the domain of clinical support. Consequently, the Clinical Support Medical Assistant credential will be much more limited in breadth, depth, and rigor than the CMA (AAMA)® credential. The CMA (AAMA) Certification Program covers all domains of the medical assisting profession as determined by the 2025-2026 Occupational Analysis conducted by the Certifying Board.

Does the creation of the Clinical Support Medical Assistant credential indicate a lessening of the Certifying Board’s commitment to the CMA (AAMA) Certification Program?

No. The introduction of this new credential does not change the eligibility requirements, standards, or value of the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)^® certification. The CMA (AAMA) credential remains the AAMA’s flagship certification and continues to represent the established standard for medical assisting practice. The AAMA remains firmly committed to confirming, advocating for, and upholding the CMA (AAMA) as the premier credential for medical assistants.

Who will be eligible for the Clinical Support Medical Assistant?

With the exception set forth in the next FAQ, completers of medical assisting programs that meet or exceed the criteria for the Workforce Pell Grant Program will be eligible for the Clinical Support Medical Assistant.

Will students in, or graduates of, CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting programs be eligible for the Clinical Support Medical Assistant?

No. The Certifying Board has determined that students in and graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting programs will not be eligible for the Clinical Support Medical Assistant. They will continue to be eligible for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam under the current eligibility requirements.

CERTIFICATION