: Last Updated: 29 August 2024

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Exam

Certified Medical Assistant Assessment (CMAA) is an assessment used to certify that candidates have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a medical assistant. In general, it has questions on various Medical Assistant job functions. The test comprises 180 multiple choice questions and 20 unscored pretest questions and is done online by candidates using different platforms.

Candidates have about 160 minutes to complete the four segments of the test divided into 40 minutes each. By design, the test topics are derived from a national job analysis study that outlines the key job requirements of a medical assistant.

Eligibility for the CMAA Exam

Elibility is as follows: -

A previous pass of the CMAA and application of recertification
A graduation in more than 12 months before the time of registration from a certified program CAAHEP or programs accredited by ABHES
Current student or recent graduate of CAAHEP and or ABHES accredited program. For current students, they must have less than 30 days to graduation and for graduates, the exam must be taken within 12 months of graduation.

Exam fee ranges from $125 - $250

Syllabus for the CMAA Exam

Covers the following clinical categories: -

General category

This covers, Communication, risk management, quality assurance and safety, psychology, professionalism, Medical Law or regulatory guidelines, medical ethics and medical terminologies

Administrative category

This covers: Practice finances, medical reception, appointment scheduling, medical business practices, and patient medical report establishment.

Clinical category

This Covers Pharmacology, infection control, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic testing, emergency management, patient intake and documentation of care, and preparation of patient and provider assistance.

Format of the CMAA Exam

Contains 180 multichoice questions that count on the score and 20 unscored practice questions
The test takes 160 minutes for the sections
General category section has 50 questions
Administrative category section has 45 questions
Clinical category section has 85 questions

Candidates are assigned a 90-day period within which to take the exam. Any application was done before the 14th of a month, the 90-day period begins counting from the 1st of the next month. For those done from the 15th of a month, the counting begins on the 15th of the next month. Candidates get notified of their score immediately after finishing the test however, official certification is obtained within four weeks.