Start Your Healthcare Journey as a Certified Medical Assistant

Explore a rewarding and versatile career as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). From supporting physicians with clinical tasks to managing front-office responsibilities, CMAs play a vital role in patient care. Learn how to become certified, what skills you’ll need, and what kind of salary and opportunities await in this fast-growing healthcare profession.

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What Does a Certified Medical Assistant Do?

Thinking about becoming a Certified Medical Assistant? Get the key details on training, certification, and what you can earn in this essential healthcare role.

6 years

Takes a Long Time to become a CMA

$50,580 per year

The average salary of a CMA

Certified Medical Assistant Career Overview

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) play a vital role in the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. They work hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, offering critical support that ensures quality patient care. From bustling clinics to private practices, CMAs are in high demand, and for good reason. This profession offers diverse responsibilities, stable employment, and room for career growth.

What Do CMAs Actually Do?

CMAs serve as the bridge between clinical and administrative responsibilities in medical settings. You’ll often find them in outpatient clinics, physician offices, and hospitals. Their training allows them to handle everything from patient intake to clinical procedures, making them versatile assets in any healthcare team.

As the healthcare industry grows and more patients require care, particularly aging populations, CMAs are becoming one of the fastest-growing occupations in the field.

Responsibilities of a Certified Medical Assistant

CMAs wear many hats in their day-to-day roles. Their work can be broken down into two key categories:

Clinical Duties

  • Reviewing patient medical histories before appointments

  • Assisting with minor procedures and wound care

  • Performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), phlebotomy, and lab prep

  • Supporting patients during physical exams

  • Educating patients and their families about treatments

Administrative Duties

  • Updating electronic health records (EHRs)

  • Managing insurance paperwork and coding

  • Coordinating lab tests and patient admissions

  • Handling billing and scheduling appointments

Depending on the facility, a CMA’s tasks may vary. In outpatient clinics, for example, you’ll likely focus on patient interactions and appointment coordination. In hospitals, you may be more hands-on with treatments and minor procedures. If you’re working in a physician’s office, you might even give injections or collect lab samples, if state law allows.

How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant

Becoming a CMA is a structured but rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Start with a high school diploma or an equivalent like a GED. If you’re still in school, focusing on math and science courses can give you a head start in future training programs.

 

  • Enroll in a CMA training program that’s accredited by either:

    • The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

    • Or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

    These programs are often offered through vocational schools, community colleges, or online/hybrid formats. Some students choose to pursue a two-year associate degree in medical assisting, which can open doors for future advancement, like transitioning into a nursing degree program.

     

To become officially certified, you’ll need to take the CMA (AAMA) exam. This is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants and can be taken no more than 30 days before graduation. The exam costs around $125 for AAMA members and $250 for non-members. It’s a 200-question multiple-choice test, usually taken in timed sections.

Passing this test demonstrates your competency and boosts your employability significantly. Most employers require certification, even if it’s not mandated by law.

Once you’ve passed the exam, congratulations! You’re a Certified Medical Assistant. CMAs find work in a wide variety of settings, including:

  • Doctor’s offices

  • Outpatient clinics

  • Hospitals

  • Urgent care centers

  • Laboratories and research facilities

  • Nursing homes and educational institutions

Salary Expectations and Career Outlook

According to the latest data, CMAs earn an average of $36,930 per year. Entry-level positions may start around $26,930, while experienced CMAs can earn up to $50,580 annually. Your exact salary will depend on your location, experience, and credentials.

Top-paying states for CMAs include:

  • Washington – $47,320

  • District of Columbia – $46,690

  • Alaska – $46,390

  • California – $44,780

  • Massachusetts – $44,200

The job market for CMAs is robust. With rising demand for healthcare services and a projected wave of nurse retirements, CMAs are expected to fill many essential roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong job growth in this field, ensuring stability and upward mobility for qualified professionals.

Continuing Education & Recertification

To keep your certification active, you’ll need to renew it every 60 months. You can do this in one of two ways:

  1. Retake the CMA (AAMA) exam

  2. Complete continuing education credits (CEUs)

If you choose the CEU path, you’ll need 60 recertification points—30 of which must come from AAMA-approved courses. Points should be earned across the following categories:

  • Clinical – 10 points

  • Administrative – 10 points

  • General – 10 points

  • Remaining 30 – A combination of any of the above