This is the most common question new medical assisting graduates ask. Both credentials are nationally recognized, both are respected by employers, and both prove you have the clinical and administrative knowledge to work as a medical assistant. But they are not identical — and the right choice depends on your background, your program, and where you want to work.
Quick Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CMA (AAMA) | CCMA (NHA) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Organization | American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) |
| Full Credential Name | Certified Medical Assistant | Certified Clinical Medical Assistant |
| Number of Questions | 200 | 180 |
| Time Limit | 160 minutes | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Eligibility — Program | CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program only | Any accredited training program |
| Eligibility — Experience | Not accepted (program grad required) | 1 year full-time experience accepted |
| Exam Fee | $250 | $155 |
| Recertification Cycle | Every 60 months (5 years) | Every 2 years |
| Recertification Method | CEUs or retake exam | CEUs or retake exam |
| Exam Delivery | Prometric testing centers | PSI testing centers or remote proctored |
The CMA (AAMA) in Detail
The CMA (AAMA) — Certified Medical Assistant, awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants — has been around since 1963. It is the oldest national medical assistant credential. The AAMA built the exam specifically around graduates of CAAHEP- and ABHES-accredited programs, and that accreditation requirement is non-negotiable.
If you did not graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program, you cannot sit for this exam. Period. No amount of work experience substitutes for the program requirement. That is a hard gate.
The exam itself has 200 questions across three main content areas: general medical assisting knowledge (anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, psychology), administrative skills (scheduling, billing, coding, records), and clinical skills (infection control, patient prep, specimen collection, pharmacology, EKGs, first aid). You have 160 minutes.
The $250 fee applies to non-AAMA members. AAMA student members pay less. Recertification is every five years through continuing education units or by retaking the exam. The five-year cycle is notably longer than most other credentials, which means less frequent renewal hassle.
The CCMA (NHA) in Detail
The CCMA — Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, awarded by the National Healthcareer Association — is currently the most widely held medical assistant credential in the US. The NHA launched its medical assistant certification in 2002, and it has grown rapidly because of its flexible eligibility rules.
You can qualify for the CCMA exam two ways: complete an accredited training program, or work as a medical assistant for at least one year full-time. That experience pathway opens the door for people who entered the field through on-the-job training or who trained at schools that are not CAAHEP/ABHES accredited.
The exam has 180 questions and a 3-hour time limit. The content covers clinical patient care (the largest section at 56% of the exam), pharmacology, medical office administration, anatomy and physiology, medical law and ethics, communication, and health information technology. The $155 fee is significantly lower than the CMA (AAMA). Recertification is every two years through CEUs or exam retake.
What Employers Actually Prefer
Both credentials are recognized nationally, and most employers accept either. But employer preference does vary by setting.
Hospitals and large health systems often prefer or require the CMA (AAMA). Some hospital job postings list it specifically. If you want to work at a major academic medical center or health system, the CMA (AAMA) may give you a competitive edge.
Physician offices, clinics, and urgent care centers commonly accept both. Many specifically list CCMA as an accepted credential. In these settings, the CCMA and CMA (AAMA) are treated as equivalent.
Staffing agencies and traveling MA positions typically accept both, with the CCMA being particularly common because of its broader candidate pool.
In most job markets, having either credential puts you ahead of uncertified candidates. The specific credential matters less than you might think once you have experience.
When to Choose the CMA (AAMA)
Choose the CMA (AAMA) if:
- You graduated from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program (you are already eligible)
- You want to work in a hospital system that specifically prefers it
- You want the longer 5-year recertification cycle
- You are willing to pay the higher $250 exam fee for a credential with decades of brand recognition
When to Choose the CCMA (NHA)
Choose the CCMA if:
- You completed a training program that is not CAAHEP or ABHES accredited
- You are entering the field through work experience rather than a formal program
- You want the lower $155 exam fee
- You are studying with MA Exam Prep, which is built around the NHA CCMA blueprint
- You want the option of remote proctored testing
Can You Hold Both?
Yes. Some experienced medical assistants hold both the CMA (AAMA) and CCMA. That is not common for new graduates — the cost and time of preparing for two exams rarely makes sense when you are just starting out. Once you are working and building your career, some MAs add a second credential to strengthen their resume or meet specific employer requirements.
Practice Questions
1. A medical assistant completed a 12-month certificate program at a vocational school that is NOT CAAHEP or ABHES accredited. Which certification exam can she sit for based on her training?
- A) CMA (AAMA) only
- B) CCMA (NHA) only
- C) Both CMA (AAMA) and CCMA (NHA)
- D) Neither — she must gain work experience first
Answer: B. The CMA (AAMA) requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program specifically. The CCMA (NHA) accepts graduates of any accredited training program.
2. How often must a CMA (AAMA) recertify their credential?
- A) Every year
- B) Every 2 years
- C) Every 5 years (60 months)
- D) Every 10 years
Answer: C. CMA (AAMA) recertification is required every 60 months (5 years). The CCMA (NHA) requires recertification every 2 years.
3. A job posting at a large academic medical center lists "CMA (AAMA) preferred" in the requirements. What does this most likely indicate?
- A) CCMA holders are not eligible to apply
- B) The employer may give preference to CMA (AAMA) holders in hiring decisions
- C) The exam must be retaken annually
- D) The position requires both CMA (AAMA) and CCMA credentials
Answer: B. "Preferred" means the employer values that credential but does not necessarily exclude other applicants. Hospital systems often list CMA (AAMA) as preferred due to its program accreditation requirement.
4. Which of the following is an eligibility requirement unique to the CMA (AAMA) exam that does NOT apply to the CCMA (NHA)?
- A) Passing a background check
- B) Graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program
- C) At least 6 months of work experience
- D) Membership in a professional association
Answer: B. The CMA (AAMA) requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program. The CCMA does not have this restriction — it accepts any accredited training program or relevant work experience.