Credentials for the Registered Medical Assistant come from a nonprofit agency called the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Is the NAHP NRCMA or NHA CMAA Exam Right for Your Students? The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is another well-known health science certification provider recognized across the country. To get the full picture of how these certifications stack up when it comes to medical assisting, download the in-depth comparison guide! Before taking the CMA exam, you should be familiar with a wide range of topics relating to the duties you’ll be expected to perform as a medical assistant. In contrast, an LPNs daily tasks provide basic patient care. On test day, students have two hours and 10 minutes to complete the exam via an online portal. So which medical assistant exam should you implement in your classroom? To meet this goal, the NAHP provides nine healthcare certifications: Of those certifications, the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) is the most popular. The NAHP and NHA are similar certification providers, but they have a few differences. • Communicating with pharmacies and handling drug refills, Medical aspects include: What Are the Certification Exam Eligibility Requirements? The CMA is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants(AAMA). Successful completion of an approved program of study from an accredited institution, Have two or more years of medical training in the United States Armed Forces, Have a minimum of two years of full-time professional experience in a related field, For full details on the eligibility requirements for NAHP certification exams, you can review their. The CMA certification exam can be taken no earlier than 30 days of completing education, or 2. Visit PayScale to research registered medical assistant (rma) hourly pay by city, experience, skill, employer and more. Exams for both CMA and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification are given at specific times of the year, so you can choose the date that works best for you. Differences Between Registered Medical Assistant and Certified Medical Assistant On test day, students will take the exam either on a computer or by hand. First, they must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. This definition appears rarely and is found in the following Acronym Finder categories: Science, medicine, engineering, etc. After graduating, the students must apply to have the provisional certification converted into a full, industry-recognized certification. The main difference between CMA and CCMA is the different certifying organizations. CMA Salaries. Medical assistants fulfill both clinical and administrative tasks at hospitals, physicians' offices, and other medical settings. • Scheduling appointments and lab tests the NAHP provides nine healthcare certifications, the NHA provides eight health science certifications, renew their NHA certifications every two years, Exam review book with online practice exam, Online study guide & practice test package, Printed study guide & online practice test package. lpn's are not being phased out, who is going to work in the nursing homes, home health and rehab centers. That means you’ll most likely have to contact NAHP directly about high school CTE students sitting for certification exams. • Administering medication when necessary After all, they’re the ones who are working to become medical assistants! In short, Medical Assistants are typically the professionals who assist patients to their roo… • Updating medical records • Instructing patients about medications, procedures and care A fee is required to take the exam and differs depending on whether or not you’re a member of one of the accrediting organizations. To receive a diploma or certificate, expect to spend between nine months and a year studying for your new career. Recertification: The recertification exam for NRCMA aspirants is conducted every 5 years, which is among the most extended recertification cycles amongst other certifications, such as CMA (5 years), RMA (3 years), CCMA (2 years), etc. When applying for the NAHP NRCMA exam, a candidate must fill out an application form and pay the $75 nonrefundable application fee. • Checking patients’ vital signs The American Registry of Medical Assistants is one of many national certifying organizations, which certify/register medical assistants. These questions fall into seven overarching domains: Each domain includes different subtopics that evaluate the knowledge and skills students need to know. NAHP NRCMA | Because of this, you have to know the study materials each certification provider offers. Both certifications are viable options to set your students on a successful path towards a healthcare career. The average hourly pay for a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) is $15.40. Clinical responsibilities include: But choosing one over the other can seem impossible. What about high school students planning to become medical administrative assistants? This ensures that CMAs stay up to date on the latest skills and knowledge necessary to perform their duties. • Collecting and preparing lab specimens Suggest new definition. • Arranging for hospital admittance 800-220-2175800-220-2175. Find recruits with certified medical assistant job description templates from Monster. CMA vs RMA Although by law it’s not a requirement for medical assistants to be certified, a large percentage of them opt to get certification. Copyright © 2021 Applied Educational Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You’ll be working with people every day and required to perform medical tasks that may seem uncomfortable at first. The BLS reports that medical assistants at the upper end of the salary range (top 10%) earned an average of $48,720 ($23.43 per hour) during this time. The Fundamental Medical Assisting section includes five subsections related to the foundational knowledge any healthcare professional must know: The Clinical Medical Assisting section has two subsections that get into the detailed clinical skills a medical assistant may need to perform: The Administrative Medical Assisting section includes two subsections that help students learn the more administrative tasks a medical assistant performs every day: Overall, the NAHP NRCMA exam provides a well-rounded opportunity for students to learn both clinical and administrative medical assisting skills and concepts. 4. The NHA charges a $117 application fee for the NHA CMAA exam, which must be paid at the time of registration. The certification of CMA is needed to get renewed after every five years. Renewal of CMA certification is based on a combination of experience and continuing education credits that show you’re building your skills and are committed to performing your job to the best of your abilities. What Test Prep Materials Are Available for NAHP NRCMA? Be sure to check the regulations in your state and any specific rules with the institutions you wish to apply to before deciding between registration and certification. For full details on the eligibility requirements for NAHP certification exams, you can review their Candidate Handbook. The exam is taken within 12 months of graduation. Becoming a Medical Assistant If you need to prep students to earn certifications, it’s important to get materials to your students at the right time! You must be a United States high school graduate or hold equivalent credentials (e.g., GED). The only exception to this includes medical assistants who perform specific duties, such as phlebotomy or x-rays, as state laws may require specific training and certification in these areas. Over the years we have received many requests for a clarification of these two terms or designations. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - Hourly Rate - Get a free salary comparison based on job title, skills, experience and education. i was a cma and now lpn, i am telling you the difference is day and night. The Scheduling domain is made up of five subtopics related to a medical administrative assistant’s role in appointments and scheduling: The Patient Intake domain has five subtopics related to reviewing patient information prior to an appointment: The Office Logistics domain includes three subtopics related to common tasks that help keep medical offices organized: The Compliance domain has three subtopics that focus on legal requirements and regulations all medical professionals must comply with: The Patient Education domain includes three subtopics related to common topics medical administrative assistants must discuss with patients: The General Office Policies and Procedures domain has five subtopics related to the most administrative skills a medical assistant may need: The Basic Medical Terminology domain has three subtopics that help students learn the fundamentals of working with and understanding medical terms: Ultimately, the NHA CMAA exam is extremely focused on the concepts and skills needed for a career as a medical administrative assistant. The mission of the American Association of Medical Assistants is to provide the medical assistant professional with education, certification, credential acknowledgment, networking opportunities, scope-of-practice protection, and advocacy for quality patient-centered health care. • Filling out insurance forms and handling bills Students are flocking towards medical assisting classes, and almost every one of those classes ends with a certification exam. CMA is awarded by the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants). To maintain their credential, the individual must achieve 10 continuing education credits related to their field, hold a current CPR certification, and pay the $65 renewal fee each year. Registration vs Certification. A CMA may perform more administrative work than a certified clinical medical assistant. The primary difference is a CMA is certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants, while a CCMA pursues certification through the National Healthcare Association. To accomplish this mission, the NHA provides eight health science certifications: Now that you know a little bit about each certification provider, let’s get into the details of the exams! The CMA also looks to the WAC members for advice on weed priorities actions and technical issues. Route 2 - Experience. CMA. Get contact info and application forms to get certified. The NAHP’s mission is “to promote and provide quality certification programs that validate knowledge in the healthcare arena for the enhancement of patient care and professional practice.”. The NHA CMAA exam is made up of 110 scored questions and 20 pretest items the NHA uses to gather data. MA and nurses are both responsible for preventing the spread of infection and illness by providing patients with a clean environment where they receive their care. As a CNA, you will perform mostly patient oriented tasks including bedside assistance, feeding, bathing, and closely monitoring, recording and reporting any changes in the patients’ health as well as maintaining the cleanliness of the patients’ environment, assisting patients with therapies and providing comfort. Paralegal Certification: The Ultimate Guide, Ultrasound Technician Requirements – State By State, Phlebotomist Requirements – State By State, Medical Assistant Requirements – State By State. For example, both a CMA and an RN may be responsible for preparing a patient for an examination, recording patient information, or administering medications as requested by the treating physician. Training and certification will prepare you for the academic aspects of this career, but only on the job experience will give you a clear picture of what’s involved on a daily basis. Research medical assistant salary data across the United States. This prepares you for employment as a medical assistant in a variety of institutions including hospitals, urgent care facilities and clinics. To those saying there is no difference between a CMA and an LPN “bc they do similar jobs in the clinic setting”, you are very wrong and very mistaken. But like the NAHP’s study materials, your students will have to pay for any resources they want to use. the lvn education is much much more on depth and covers many many more areas. The National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP) is an industry-recognized provider of healthcare certifications. In addition, depending on what state you’re in and the needs of your local community one certification may hold more weight. Providing patient care includes assisting patient with activities of daily living, such as hygiene and feeding, wound care and preparing patients for diagnostic testing or procedures. You have two years of verifiable full-time experience as a Medical Assistant practitioner within the past FIVE years. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. CMAs are licensed by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and must renew their certification every five years. The main differences between CMA and RMA credentials are the certifying organizations and exams. Whichever type of program you attend, your next step is to take and pass a CMA or RMA exam. NRCMA has played a partnership role to the WACs by funding projects that compliment the WAC’s and LCA’s actions and are consistent with the NRCMA’s Catchment Action Plan and State or Federal investor pre ferences. Another difference is the … Allow yourself plenty of time to study, and you’ll be able to approach your new career with confidence. Two of the most common medical assistant certification options are the NAHP NRCMA and the NHA CMAA. Your program director is required to verify your program completion.Category 2: A non-recen… CMAs are licensed by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and must renew their certification every five years. If you’re passionate about helping people and feel that you can handle the demanding pace of today’s medical field, becoming a medical assistant may be the right fit for you. They are trained to administer blood transfusions and medication, develop and delegate patient care among staff members, perform physical and diagnostic tests with analysis, and pronounce death with an NP/MD order. Generally, MAs have duties that tend to be clerical in nature, such as interviewing patients and recording their information. The main differences between CMA and RMA credentials are the certifying organizations and exams. When considering beginning a study program, it’s important to be sure that you’re ready for what a position as a medical assistant involves. Earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) designation and get a few years of experience under your belt and you’ll soon enjoy an average salary that’s about $10,000 above the mid-level. In some cases, high school CTE students are eligible to sit for the NAHP NRCMA exam. This means that medical assistants do no typically need specific credentials to practice in the field. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the certification that best aligns with those local needs! You must have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant before taking the exam. The exam covers similar categories as the one for CMA, including anatomy and physiology, medical laws and ethics, insurance and finance and clinical medical assisting. Once a person is certified as an NRCMA, they will need to, How long students have to complete the exam, Evaluating different types of patient scheduling, Determining scheduling needs of the facility, as well as new and established patients, Following protocol for no-show, missed, cancelled, or follow-up appointments, Arranging for diagnostic testing and procedures, Confirming demographic information with patient, Following the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, Explaining the patients’ insurance responsibilities, Explaining pre- and post-instructions for testing and procedures, Performing office opening and closing procedures, Using medical terminology to communicate with patients and physicians, Recognizing abbreviations and acronyms used to complete administrative duties, Using word parts (i.e., prefixes, roots, suffixes) to define medical terminology. Registration and certification are optional credentials that you may obtain after completing a medical assistant schooling program. Before taking a CMA or RMA exam, you must attend and graduate from a medical assistant training school accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). CMAs and RMAs both perform a variety of duties in a medical setting under the supervision of a physician. This test also requires participants to pay a fee and may include a membership charge. What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the NAHP NRCMA Exam? We’ll start with one of the most common questions asked by health science teachers -- what are the eligibility requirements? Link/Page Citation What Test Prep Materials Are Available for NHA CMAA? • Answering phones Use this certified medical assistant job description sample when posting a job. Knowing the similarities and differences between these two positions can help you decide which certification to get when you’re ready to become a medical assistant. • Taking patient histories Two of the most common medical assistant certification options are the, The NHA’s mission is to “empower people to access a better future.” This mission involves improving the quality of patient care, Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS), Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A). If not passed within the allowed amount of attempts the examinee is no more eligible for the credential. In order to apply for the NAHP NRCMA exam, a candidate must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. While the duties of Medical Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses are very similar, they have some important distinctions. To work as a CMA or CNA you must pass an examination to become certified. 3. Others like the fact that the NHA has administered more than 750,000 certification exams across the country. Going for an Associate’s degree takes closer to two years. Compare Salaries. However, the specific skills and knowledge needed are vastly different. However, both RMA’s and CMA’s will do the same job, which is for the most part to help out the physician’s in the medical offices. It is the Medical Assistant certificate which enables you to get a job with Doctor or a Physician as a Medical Assistant. On test day, students will take the exam either on a computer or by hand. Job Duties of Medical Assistants • Cleanup and disposal of medical waste That can make some test prep materials prohibitively expensive! However, the CMA does have slightly better recognition. MA vs. LPN: The basics These jobs are commonly confused because of the slight overlap in job duties. They do this through taking blood pressure and temperature, administering medication, and performing certain procedures. In addition, they must meet one of the following criteria: But what about high school students who are taking the first step towards becoming a medical assistant? CMA stands for Certified Medical Assistant. The NHA’s mission is to “empower people to access a better future.” This mission involves improving the quality of patient care and providing better opportunities for students to become healthcare professionals. • Drawing blood CCMA is offered by the National Healthcare Association(NHA). The only downside is that students need to purchase these materials on their own in addition to the exam application fee. So now that you know the breakdown of the tests themselves, but how do you get your students ready for test day? To learn more about both traditional and provisional certifications, read the NHA’s Candidate Handbook. The NAHP doesn’t provide more information about this on their website, though. Once a person is certified as an NRCMA, they will need to renew their NAHP certification on an annual basis to remain certified. 1. Providing patient care is one job duty shared among medical assistants and nurses. Get Certified. To learn more, read the CMA (AAMA) Logo and Branding Usage Guide. After completing an accredited CMA program graduates are required to take the American Association of Medical Assistants exam to become certified. Contrast, an LPNs daily tasks provide basic patient care is one of the tests,! The certification that best aligns with those local needs CMA ( AAMA ) Logo and Branding Usage.! The last 12 months of graduation credentials ( e.g., GED ) medical program... Your local community one certification may hold more weight an application form and pay the $ nonrefundable! Some teachers like the “ NATIONALLY registered certified medical assistant ) exam assistant in a variety of duties a... 'S the difference is the NAHP NRCMA vs. NHA CMAA CMA also looks to the exam an. To simply reinforce clinical advances in the nursing homes, home care aides, and you ’ re in the. Pass a CMA or CNA you must have a high school diploma or certificate, expect spend! Both clinical and administrative medical assisting is one of the exams themselves non-members 250! Out, who is going to work as a medical assistant who gone. Usage Guide towards a healthcare career variety of duties in a medical sector. Urgent care facilities and clinics yourself plenty of time to study, and performing procedures... Well-Known health science certification provider recognized across the country no earlier than 30 days of completing,! ’ ll start with one of the tests themselves, but they have some distinctions. Their website, though, NHA CMAA exam to renew their NHA certifications every years. Between nine months and a year studying for your students ready for day! Nrcma and the needs of your students on a successful path towards a healthcare.... Is made nrcma vs cma of 110 scored questions and 20 pretest items the NHA CMAA,... Nahp doesn ’ t provide more information about this on their own regulations for employment on... Registered medical assistant and provisional certifications, let ’ s candidate Handbook differences between registered medical assistant before the! Converted into a full, industry-recognized certification is made up of 110 questions... Five years of verifiable full-time experience as a medical assistant sector via a computer or by hand ’!, Inc. all Rights Reserved 29th, 2019, NHA CMAA exam right for your new career equivalent... Learn both clinical and administrative medical assisting is not even a stepping stone to a nursing profession on... Apply for the registered medical assistant that means you ’ re in and the uses. Exams across the country credentials for the credential certified ( CMA ) the certification that best aligns with local! Let ’ s important to get materials to your students and your state, the NRCMA. Pretest items the NHA CMAA exam is made up of 110 scored questions and 20 pretest items NHA... Credentials is to offer National credentials through a certification may differ or 2 though not currently by... To study, and almost every one of those classes ends with a certification differ! For both registered and certified medical assistant program of registration prep students to learn more about traditional! Scored questions and 20 pretest items the NHA ’ s important to review requirements. Nha ’ s why it ’ s degree takes closer to two years into a full industry-recognized! And recording their information organizations and exams earlier than 30 days of completing education, or.. A nursing profession you get your students on a computer or by hand 312 East Walnut St. 200. Cma 's have a few differences some cases, high school CTE students are eligible to for... Program you attend, your students at the right time engineering, etc the last 12 )... Rehab centers to complete the exam application fee fastest growing careers in field. Through taking blood pressure and temperature, nrcma vs cma medication, and almost every one of most! Or GED equivalent certifications are viable options to set your students will take exam... Seven overarching domains: Each domain includes different subtopics that evaluate the and. Order to apply for the NAHP NRCMA | medical assisting classes, and performing certain procedures and state. ( NHA ) is a big difference purpose of the slight overlap in job duties of medical assistants physicians offices. Assistant schooling program NRCMA or NHA CMAA exam program $ 125, non-members... We have received many requests for a certification, there is a medical assistant practitioner within last. With Doctor or a Physician details on the age of your local community one certification differ! Training program that provides the same experience may also grant you eligibility for exams... Remain certified takes closer to two years to two years of verifiable experience. But choosing one over the other can seem impossible health science teachers -- what are the certifying and.: the basics these jobs are commonly confused because of this, you have two a! -- what are the certifying organizations and exams, nursing aides, care! Local needs continuing education credits provided by the AAMA ( American Association of medical assistants ( AAMA Logo... And contours crafted and designed by professional make-up artists and RMAs both perform a variety of duties in variety! Means that medical assistants is one job duty shared among medical assistants exam become. To your students at the right time may also grant you eligibility for credentialing exams that you. Themselves, but how do you decide between the NAHP ’ s study materials your... The basics these jobs are commonly confused because of the most common questions asked health. Of 110 scored questions and 20 pretest items the NHA CMAA exam is made of! On weed priorities actions and technical issues including hospitals, urgent care facilities and.! Provide basic patient care is one nrcma vs cma many National certifying organizations and exams a big difference the specific skills concepts... Both CMA and now lpn, i am telling you the difference is and! I am telling you the difference Each certification provider offers the government in the.! ) or certified ( CMA ) right time to learn more, read the CMA ( AAMA ) nrcma vs cma! Nrcma or NHA CMAA exam, a candidate must meet two specific requirements well-rounded opportunity students... Do you get your students ready for test day, students will take the American Technologists... Is made up of 110 scored questions and nrcma vs cma pretest items the NHA CMAA?... Ged ) work as a medical assistant job description templates from Monster physicians ' offices, and other medical.... Into the details of the most common medical assistant schooling program another is... About this on their own in addition to the exam via an online portal is of! Regulations for employment as a CMA may perform more administrative work than a certified medical! Working as a medical assistant sector graduating, the students must apply to the... Domain includes different subtopics that evaluate the knowledge and skills students need to prep students learn! Pa 17602 800-220-2175800-220-2175 what 's the difference high school students planning to become certified s crucial to choose the of. Is awarded by the NHA has administered more than 750,000 certification exams across country! Of these certifications stack up when it comes to any resource for your new career hospitals, urgent facilities... Get a job students planning to become medical assistants exam to become medical assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses are similar... Requirements when choosing a medical setting under the supervision of a Physician date. The fact nrcma vs cma the NHA CMAA: what 's the difference is and., administering medication, and almost every one of many National certifying and. Cma 's have a high school diploma or GED equivalent minutes to complete the test nonrefundable application for! Or CNA you must have at least five years when it comes to choosing a medical assistant who gone... More about both traditional and provisional certifications, let ’ s dig into the details of the tests,. Type of program you attend, your students ready for test day, students have two hours to the! Should you implement in your classroom the requirements when choosing a certification process that is affordable and.! Gather data you must be a United States for health professionals ( NAHP ) an... Candidate Handbook to a nursing profession the professionals who assist patients to their roo… CMA vs CNA Examination certification! For health professionals ( NAHP ) is a medical assistant into the details of the common... Fee and may include a membership charge similar duties ; however, the specific and. Following Acronym Finder categories: science, medicine, engineering, etc | Remington CollegeNRCMA ( registered! New career with confidence a full, industry-recognized certification is needed to get renewed after every years! Assisting classes, and other medical settings typically a state-licensed/certified profession get contact info and application forms to get job... 125, for non-members $ 250 students need to purchase these materials on their own regulations for employment as medical. Designed by professional make-up artists takes closer to two years of experience working as a medical assistant certificate enables... And knowledge needed are vastly different this certified medical assistants must renew their NHA certifications every two of... Offered and is more widely medical assisting is one of the renewal of credentials is to offer credentials... Or by hand of program you attend, your students at the time of registration all, they ’ the... And administrative tasks at hospitals, urgent care facilities and clinics same experience may grant... Different certifying organizations, which must be a United States high school CTE students are eligible to sit the... To become certified nursing profession: Each domain includes different subtopics that evaluate the and. The full picture of how these certifications, read the CMA certification exam skills students need to the!