Your path to medical Administrative
Assistant certification
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Certification (CMAA)
Earning your CMAA credentials will help you
Fulfill employer requirements
Access better career opportunities
Maximize earning potential
Enhance knowledge & skills
What Does Certified Medical Administrative Assistant do?
Medical administrative assistants (also called medical office assistants or medical secretaries) are critical in keeping healthcare offices running smoothly, and also play an important role in the patient experience. Tasks vary by setting, but may include:
- Reviewing and answering practice correspondence
- Operating computer systems to accomplish office tasks
- Answering calls and scheduling appointments
- Greeting patients and updating electronic medical records
- Updating and maintaining patient and other practice-specific information
- Coordinating operation reports such as time and attendance
- Operating office software and equipment
84% of employers require or encourage certification for Medical Adiministrative Assistants
(Source: 2025 Industry Outlook)
CMAA Exam Eligibility
Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency; or are scheduled to earn a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency in the next 12 months
Completed a medical administrative assistant training or education program within the last 5 years
OR
Possess a high school diploma
or GED/high school equivalency
1 year of supervised work experience in a medical administrative assistant field within the last 3 years; or 2 years of supervised work experience in a medical administrative assistant field within the last 5 years
5 steps to medical administrative assistant certification
Apply for your exam
Create a free NHA account online, anytime, and submit your Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam application through your account portal.
Set a date
Select the date and location–online or in-person–for your exam. (A CMAA exam fee payment is required during this step.)
Prepare. prepare. prepare
Time to study! We're here to support you. We have study materials available, including an interactive study guide and CMAA practice test.
Take the exam
You'll take the exam either at your school, a PSI testing center near you or through live remote proctoring at the location of your choice.
Get your Results!
For online CMAA exams, NHA will officially post your certification results to your account page within two days of scoring your test.
