NCMA Certification for Medical Assistants: Overview and FAQ
A national certified medical assistant (NCMA) certification is a well-recognized professional credential designed for medical assistants who want to validate their specialized knowledge and skills. Getting NCMA-certified means you handle patient care confidently and know your way around medical procedures and administrative tasks.
Curious about how to get NCMA certification for medical assistants? This article will break down what the certification is, how to get it, and why it could be a great step forward in your professional journey.
What Is NCMA Certification?
NCMA is a specialized credential awarded to medical assistants who complete in-depth training in a range of clinical and administrative tasks. With the job’s broad range of responsibilities, the training is comprehensive — preparing you for everything from performing electrocardiograms (ECGs) to managing insurance and billing.
The exam is administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and covers four broad knowledge areas:
- Pharmacology and general medical knowledge
- Clinical medical procedures
- Medical administrative duties
- Law and ethics
These topics cover a wide range of practical skills. A few examples include:
- Cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments.
- Performing general medical and surgical asepsis.
- Responding to emergency situations (e.g., fire, biological hazard).
- Thoroughly documenting medically-relevant aspects of patient care.
- Assisting with minor surgical procedures (e.g., skin prep, laceration, cryotherapy).
- Performing basic wound care and dressing changes.
- Authorizing drug refills and providing prescription info to pharmacies.
- Managing financial records, billing, and collections.
Steps to Get NCMA-Certified
Here’s a straightforward guide to the steps you’ll need to take to earn your NCMA credential, from preparation to passing the exam.
1. Meet Eligibility Criteria
Wondering if you meet the NCMA certification requirements? There are five ways to become eligible to test:
- If you’re a high school student in an NCCT-authorized medical assistant program, you can take the exam during your studies and get full certification when you graduate.
- If you’ve already finished high school and are in an NCCT-authorized medical assistant program, you can provide your diploma, certificate, or transcript with your graduation date.
- If you’ve graduated from a medical assistant program authorized by the NCCT in the last five years, you can submit your diploma, certificate, or transcript with your graduation date.
- If you have one year of full-time experience as a medical assistant and a high school diploma, you can submit a copy of your diploma and a qualification form completed by your employer.
- If you have completed U.S. military service and trained as a medical assistant, you can provide a current DD214 or SMART transcript.
If you qualify based on your enrollment in a medical assistant program, you’ll need to send in your documents within two years of graduation. For those qualifying through graduation, work experience, or military service, you have five years to submit everything.
Finally, if you’re not sure you qualify, the NCCT website has a quick eligibility test.
2. Start Preparing for the Exam
Put in the hours to study for the NCMA exam. Luckily, the NCCT provides three preparation packages to help you get ready:
- Practice exam
- Practice exam plus
- Interactive review system
Plus, the NCCT website also offers additional study resources:
- Candidate handbook
- NCMA test plan
- Sample questions
3. Submit Your Application
Next, apply for your NCMA certification online. Start by creating an account online and uploading all the required documents, such as your diploma, certificate, and transcripts. The exact documents you need will depend on your eligibility route.
Your application will be processed within three to five business days. If approved, you’ll receive an authorization confirming your test date, location, and instructions.
Not tech-savvy? That’s okay. You can also request a paper application and submit required documentation to NCCT by fax or USPS. Just remember, this option might take a bit longer.
4. Pass the CCM Exam
You’ll be able to take your exam remotely or at a testing center. Here’s a quick overview of the exam process:
- Time: 3 hours
- Number of questions: 150 scored questions plus 15 pretest items
- Question types: Multiple-choice and innovative formats (e.g., multiple select, hotspot, and drag and drop)
- Passing score: You need at least 70% to pass
You’ll get your pass or fail result right after the test, and your certification will be issued within 7 to 10 business days.
5. Maintain the Certification
To stay NCMA-certified, you’ll need to renew your certification annually by completing 12 continuing education hours and paying a fee. You can use NCCT’s online library or submit outside continuing education hours.
Make sure your education provider is NCCT-approved. Keep in mind that if you choose an outside provider, you’ll need to pay an extra $10 for an audit.
NCMA Certification Cost
Let’s break down the expenses involved so you can plan ahead and make the most of your investment in advancing your nursing career. Here’s a rundown of the fees you’ll encounter:
- Examination fee: $119
- Recertification fee: $89
Some employers cover the cost of certification for their medical assistants. If that’s the case — congratulations! You’ll receive a free NSMA certification.
Frequently Asked Questions: NCMA Certifications
How hard is the NCMA exam?
The NCMA exam has a pass rate of 53.4%, making it quite challenging. But if you dedicate time to studying, work through practice exams, and understand the key concepts, you’ll be more likely to pass.
What happens if I fail the NCMA exam?
If you fail the NCMA exam, don’t worry — there are options for moving forward:
- Study your exam report: Use the experience to identify your weak areas. Study more thoroughly, review practice questions, set SMART goals, and take additional preparation courses.
- Retest: You get 3 tries to pass the test. If you don’t make it on the first or second try, you can retake it after 30 days. If you don’t pass on the third attempt, you’ll need to wait a year before you can try again.
How do I verify my NCMA credential?
You can use the NCMA certification verification tool. Just enter your name and user ID to check your status.
Is NCMA certification worth it?
The NCMA credential offers several benefits for medical assistants. Here are some key advantages:
- Career advancement: It can open doors to more advanced positions, such as leadership and teaching roles.
- Increased earning potential: It can help you earn a higher salary.
- Improved job prospects: It can boost your medical assistant resume and help you stand out in a competitive job market.
- Professional development: It helps you significantly improve your skills and stay current with the best-practices in the field.
- Improved patient care: It can help you provide first-class patient care, ensuring safety and compliance with industry standards.
How much does a certified medical assistant make?
The average annual salary for a certified medical assistant in the U.S. is $43,350. Your earnings can differ based on your education, experience, and location. Here are some states where you can expect to earn more:
Check out the latest CMA job listings in your area to see what you could be earning.
What are the related certifications?
Want to boost your career with further certifications? Consider pairing your NCMA credential with other specialty-specific credential, such as:
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
- American medical technologists (AMT)
- Basic life support (BLS)
- Certification board for sterile processing and distribution (CBSPD)
- Certified clinical documentation specialist (CCDS)
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