To take the certified medical assistant exam, you have to complete a medical assistant training program or an associate degree in medical aide from an accredited school or health institution. If you are a high school graduate, you may take medical assistant programs, complete the one year certification program of the two years associate degree and become a medical assistant. After that, you have to go through hands on training or internship before you become eligible for the examination.
The certified medical assistant exam is a timed exam with 200 multiple choice questions that are taken using a computer (not pen and paper). At the end of the examination, you will instantly know if you pass or not, and then a letter will be sent to you with your official score in six to ten weeks.
The exam is mainly about the human anatomy, keeping patient records, medical terminologies and basic processes, laboratory procedures and patient care. Be sure to review your class lectures and notes to be fully prepared on your exam. You may try answering the certified medical assistant practice test, and even have some tutoring to really have a good grasp as to what you are going to go through.
Given by the National Board of Medical Examiners, the medical assistant certification exam is held in January, June and October. You have to apply a few months before the stated months, and your schedule will be sent to you within three weeks after your application is processed and approved. It takes about 8 weeks or 2 months before an application is approved. There is an examination fee to be paid via credit card, cash checks or debit cards. If you are a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants, your fee is usually cheaper.
Make sure that you pass authentic documents and supporting credentials, as falsified documents can be a reason for you to not be given the certification exam. Remember, even if you are taking the certified medical assistant exam just before finishing your training or after a few years of working, you still have to allocate your time to prepare the exam.
If you are going for a recertification, which is a requirement after 60 months, you must be able to pass the exam or by completing at least 60 recertification points (10 administrative, 10 clinical, 10 general and 30 from continuing education units). If by any chance that you are not able to take a recertification after 60 months, then you forfeit the points completion and your will have to take the exam. At the same time, keeping a current CPR certification is also needed.
The fee for certified medical assistant exam is the same as the recertification.The examination fee is $250, $125 if you are a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants, a fresh graduate or current student of any school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. For accreditation of your continuing education units, the fee is $60.