Medical Assistant Certification
Congratulations. You have earned a diploma, a certificate, or an associates degree in medical assistant. You’ve worked hard and you’ve earned your degree. Now what? Well, before you rush out and try to get a job in your new field, you may want to consider getting a medical assistant certification first.
What is a Certified Medical Assistant?
A certified medical assistant has passed the Certification/Recertification Examination issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Certification is, essentially, a professional “seal of approval” attesting that you have the necessary knowledge to work as a medical assistant.
To be eligible to take the Certification/Recertification Examination, you must have completed a degree program in medical assisting from an accredited school and have completed your externship.
Benefits to Becoming Certified
There are no state laws or regulations that require that medical assistant be certified. . You can still work in any medical facility, clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office without certification—legally. But more and more employers are requiring certification for their medical assistants.
The benefits to becoming certified are many:
- Employability. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that certified medical assistants will have the best job prospects in the future.
- Earning potential. According to Payscale.com, certified medical assistants earned 3 cents more per hour than did non-certified assistants.
- Employment growth. Certified medical assistant may be trusted with more responsibilities than their non-certified counterparts, which could lead them to more, and better, promotion opportunities.
Getting Started
As mentioned earlier, to take the Certification/Recertification Examination, you must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant training program.
But not any accreditation meets this requirement.
There are only two accreditations that the AAMA recognizes—the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Before registering in a medical assistant training program, make sure that the school is accredited by one of these two agencies.
Becoming Certified
There are three essential steps that you must take in order to become certified:
STUDY. According to the AAMA, in order to pass the Certification/Recertification Examination, you need to be familiar with medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and lab procedures. They recommend that you review these subjects in medical assisting publications. You may also take an exam review course, study content outlines, and take practice exams. Contact the AAMA for information on where you can find, and how you can participate, in these invaluable study aids.
APPLY. You can take the Certification/Recertification Examination throughout the year. To register for the exam, you need to fill out an application and supply the requested documentation.
PAY. The fee to take this examination ranges from $125 to $250 (as of 2009). Recent graduates of a CAAHEP or an ABHES accredited school pay the lower fee. But have your credit card, cash, or a cashier’s check ready—the AAMA will not accept your personal check.
Getting Set
Within 45-days of the application deadline, the AAMA will notify you of your status. Once your application is approved, they will send you a scheduling and instruction on whom to call to schedule the examination.
Top Medical Assistant Certification Schools
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National American University Online
National American University is about personal development and community.
When you choose to attend NAU, you don’t just join a group of diverse students and faculty; you join a group of people from all walks of life sharing a unique experience.
Our staff is devoted to helping you balance your education with your personal and professional obligations – it’s our commitment. Through flexible class scheduling, dedicated career advisors and quality programs, NAU strives to provide a caring and supportive learning environment to ensure your success as a student.
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Ultimate Medical Academy OL
At Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), healthcare training is all we do. Since 1994, UMA has trained thousands of students for careers in the allied health field. Today, UMA continues to expand its wide-ranging portfolio of healthcare degrees and diploma programs, concentrating on the curricula, skills and certifications essential to meet the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.
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Keiser University eCampus Online
For over 35 years, Keiser University has provided student-centered, quality career education. Keiser University Online offers degree programs online to prepare students for in-demand professions. Degrees are offered with a curriculum that is in pace with technology and workforce demand trends in business, criminal justice, healthcare and computer technology. Our “one-class-at-a-time” approach allows busy students to focus on their education and balance the demands of work and family.
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Penn Foster Career School
Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s super-competitive job market. With online training from Penn Foster Career School, students are assured of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Students at Penn Foster Career School can get the training they need quickly, conveniently, and affordably.
Penn Foster is one of the world’s largest and most respected online education providers. Their programs are job focused, and they offer training for employment in the fastest-growing fields in business, technology, health care, and the trades.
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Allied Schools
When you enroll at Allied Schools, you receive a partner in your education. We guide you from start to finish and give you the tools you need to build a successful future. Receive a professional advantage with a school that shares your goals. We maintain the highest standards when it comes to delivering quality education. As such, we maintain up-to-date accreditations, approvals and memberships. This ensures that we continually meet or exceed specific requirements and provide you with the best education possible.