Achieving CMA (AAMA)® certification is a great way to boost your career in medical assisting! Check out these reasons CMA (AAMA) certification is right for you:
The Certified Medical Assistant® (AAMA)—or CMA (AAMA)—credential represents a medical assistant who has been credentialed through the Certifying Board (CB) of the AAMA.
The CB of the AAMA has been awarded accreditation by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) under ISO 17024, the global benchmark for personnel certification bodies, thus ensuring the CMA (AAMA) represents a world-class certification.
The CMA (AAMA) Certification Program remains accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)—an accrediting arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).
Consequently, the CB and its CMA (AAMA) Certification Program are the only medical assisting certifying body and certification program (respectively) that hold accreditation under both ISO 17024 and the NCCA Standards.
The CMA (AAMA) is the only medical assisting certification that requires postsecondary education. This requirement serves as the foundation by which CMAs (AAMA) prove that they stand apart from the crowd and set the bar for excellence in medical assisting.
Certification offers employers proof that you have achieved the highest standards of education and credentialing in the medical assistant field. The rigorous standards of the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam testify that CMAs (AAMA) have thorough, broad, and current understanding of their health care delivery responsibilities as detailed in the Content Outline for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam.
Even more, CMAs (AAMA) must recertify their credential every five years by retaking the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam or by completing continuing education requirements. This dedication to learning throughout their careers helps medical assistants stay at the top of their field and demonstrates a commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
Many factors combine to create a driving force for an increased demand for medical assistants who have current CMA (AAMA) certification:
- Legal perils
- Managed care pressures
- State and federal laws
- Qualification for entering orders for the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program
Medical assistants who are certified often receive better compensation than non-certified medical assistants. Learn more about CMA (AAMA) pay and benefits in the CMA (AAMA) Compensation and Benefits Report.
With the AAMA, employers can easily verify CMA (AAMA) certification status through the website or by contacting AAMA staff. Every day, the AAMA receives more than 100 employer requests for verification for both current and potential employees.
The Certifying Board of the AAMA offers digital badging to its CMAs (AAMA) as a secure and versatile way to promote—and confirm—their excellence in medical assisting. Digital badges can be added to email signatures, social media profiles, and more. CMAs (AAMA) who certify or recertify on or after June 1, 2021, will receive a digital badge. More info coming soon.
