Handling the extra responsibilities that come with a leadership position requires vision and know-how. We have the tools and information you need to make the most of your commitment to AAMA all in one place. 

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How to Apply

Join a Board Committee, Task Force, or Strategy Team
Download Volunteer Leadership Position Descriptions to see whether you are eligible to apply for the open positions. Apply by completing and submitting the AAMA Volunteer Leadership Application, a professional CV, and a list of organizational activities by August 1.


Join an AAMA Board
BOT: Download the AAMA Officer and Trustee Qualifications to see whether you are eligible to apply for the open positions. Apply by completing and submitting the AAMA Officer and Trustee Nomination Form, a professional CV, and a list of organizational activities by May 1, 2025.

CEB or CB: Apply by completing and submitting the AAMA Volunteer Leadership Application, a professional CV, and a list of organizational activities by August 1, 2025.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

Leader Tools

Articles

Organizations

American Management Association Access resources to educate and train yourself to better manage your team.

American Society of Association Executives Take advantage of information geared toward association leaders from some of the best in the field.

The Banff Centre Peruse writings from this Canadian organization meant to inspire creative leaders to achieve great things.

The Center for Leadership Development Find out how the federal government helps develop career leaders through various courses and certification programs.

Organization Systems Renewal (Bainbridge Graduate Institute) The Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Washington State offers programs designed to develop skills in organizational leadership.

AAMA Branding and Logo Usage Guides

Refer to the AAMA Branding and Logo Usage Guide to gain a better understanding of the AAMA registered trademarks and symbol usage as well as AAMA logos, including state and chapter, affiliate AAMA, and CMA (AAMA)® logos.

Use the AAMA Logo and Branding Usage Guide to get to the heart of the matter on why using the phrase “Certified Medical Assistant®” or the initialisms “CMA (AAMA)” or “CMA,” by anyone who has not maintained currency of the CMA (AAMA) credential is both incorrect and a matter of intellectual property law.

 

Resource Manuals

Publishing Tips

Editorial Standards: Usage Guidelines for the Profession and the Credential (to be updated)

Because editorial standards reflect the professionalism of an organization, please follow these simple guidelines to solidify the image of the AAMA, the medical assisting profession, and the CMA (AAMA) credential.

CMA (AAMA) Usage

The CMA (AAMA) represents only those medical assistants who have passed the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam offered by the Certifying Board of the AAMA and who have kept their credential current through recertification.

Generic vs. CMA (AAMA)

Use "medical assistant" or "medical assisting" when referring to a person working in the field of when referring to the profession. Use "CMA (AAMA)" only when referring to a medical assistant who has been certified by the Certifying Board of the AAMA and has maintained credential currency. Use "credentialed medical assistant" when referring to anyone credentialed (or certified) by any organization.

Singular vs. Plural Use

Possessive forms carry an apostrophe, not plural forms. Avoid cumbersome possessive with the credential whenever possible. 

Incorrect: The clinic employs five CMA's (AAMA).

Correct: The clinic employs five CMAs (AAMA).

Avoid: That is the CMA's (AAMA) pin.

Preferred: That pin belongs to that CMA (AAMA).

Credentials with Names

Use commas around the CMA (AAMA) credential.

Example: The illustrious Jane Doe, CMA (AAMA), will be our guest speaker.

Note: The credential "MA" stands for Master of Arts, not medical assistant; therefore, noncertified medical assistants should not use "MA" after their names unless they've also earned their Master of Arts. It's best to always spell out "medical assistant" or say it in full.

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