How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who assist physicians with record keeping and minor office procedures such as drawing blood and taking patients' blood pressures. Different states have different regulations on medical assistants, but you will have the highest odds of finding a job if you are a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a medical assistant educational training program that is recognized by either the CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health) or the ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools). See the Resources section below for a link.

2. Complete any necessary prerequisites and then apply to the program. Expect to spend between 18 and 24 months on the endeavor.

3. Register for and take the certification exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). See the Resources section below for a link to their site.

4. Check your state board of health for the regulations for medical assistants and complete any necessary paperwork in order to get approval to work as a certified medical assistant in your state.

5. Take the re-certification exam every 5 years in order to avoid a lapse in your certification.

Tips & Warnings

• Steer clear of unaccredited programs that promise to offer you a medical assistant certificate via distance learning without spending time in the clinical setting. Although some bona fide accredited distance learning programs may exist, they all should involve an onsite clinical portion and they all should be accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES.

Resources

• American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)