Renew Your Medical Assistant Certification

As a medical assistant, renewing your certification is crucial to keep up with the latest developments in the field and maintain your professional status. With the convenience of the internet, it’s now easier than ever to renew your certification online.

In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about medical assistant recertification.

Understanding the Medical Assistant Recertification Process

Recertification ensures that medical assistants maintain their knowledge and skills at the same level during their initial certification. This process is necessary for med assistants to maintain their certification and continue working in the healthcare field.

To be eligible for recertification, medical assistants must:

Have successfully completed an accredited medical assistant training program with a passing score or have equivalent on-the-job training
Hold a current medical assistant certification from an accredited organization
Complete a specified number of continuing education units (CEUs) within a certain timeframe.

The specific recertification requirements may vary depending on the certifying organization.

3 Steps to Renew Your Medical Assistant Certification

Each type of medical assistant certification has its own unique requirements and timelines for recertification. We cover the steps to renew each MA certification below:

Step 1: Determine your certification type and renewal timeline

Before beginning the renewal process, it’s important to determine the timeline for your specific certification.

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA): recertify every 60 months (5 years)
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA): recertify every 3 years
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA): recertify every 2 years
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA): recertify every year

Step 2: Know the specific renewal requirements

As stated previously, different certifying bodies have different recertification requirements for medical assistant certifications. However, they typically require you to complete a specified number of continuing education units, pay a recertification fee, and submit proof.

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

You can maintain your certification either by retaking the exam or completing continuing education units.

To recertify by continuing education: you must earn 60 CEUs, 30 of which must be approved by AAMA. You’ll need to submit an online recertification application and pay a renewal fee of $65 (for AAMA members) or $130 (for non-members).

To recertify by retaking the exam, you must pay a renewal fee of $125 (for AAMA members) or $250 (for non-members).

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

To renew your RMA certification, you need to pay an annual fee of $75 to maintain your status year to year and earn 30 CCP points. You can earn these points by completing continuing education courses or working as a medical assistant.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

This certification can be renewed by completing 10 continuing education points, paying a $179 renewal fee, and submitting a renewal request to NHA.

Step 3: Complete the renewal process

The final step is to complete your recertification application by submitting the required documentation and fees to the certifying body. It’s important to complete your renewal application before the certification expiration date to avoid any lapse in certification.

Tips for completing the renewal process smoothly

Keep track of renewal deadlines and gather documentation and fees well in advance to avoid any last-minute stress.
Consider taking CEUs throughout the certification period to avoid having to complete them all at once during the renewal process.
Always double-check all information and documentation before submitting the renewal application.

How to Renew Medical Assistant Certification Online

Renewing your medical assistant certification online is much more convenient and faster than in-person options, allowing you to receive your renewed certification sooner.

While in-person certification renewal options are available, they can be inconvenient if you live in a remote area or have a busy schedule. Online renewal options, on the other hand, are often more flexible.

To do this, follow these steps:

Determine your certification renewal deadline and eligibility requirements based on your medical assistant certification type.
Visit the website of the certifying organization that issued your certification.
Log into your account and follow the prompts to complete the online renewal application. This may include uploading documentation of continuing education credits or work experience.
Pay any required fees, which can usually be done securely online.

Here are some tips for preparing for the online renewal process:

Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements and have any necessary documentation ready to upload.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection to complete the recertification process online.
Reach out to the certifying organization if you have questions or concerns.

Maintaining Your Certification After Renewal

Once you’ve renewed your medical assistant certification, it’s important to maintain it in good standing. You can do this by consistently educating yourself on your specialization.

There are multiple ways to do this, such as attending conferences, workshops, or seminars related to your specialty. You can conduct research projects to contribute valuable health-care insights. Moreover, you can consider pursuing additional medical assistant training or certification programs to enhance your knowledge and skills.

By maintaining your MA certification, you’ll remain up to date with the best practices for direct patient care and can demonstrate growth and dedication.

FAQs

What are the requirements for renewing my medical assistant certification?

The requirements will vary depending on the type of certification (such as a CMA or RMA) and the certifying body. Generally, medical assistants will need to complete a certain number of continuing education credits and pay a fee.

How much does it cost to renew my medical assistant certification?

The cost will vary depending on the certifying body and the type of certification. For example, the renewal fee for recertification as a certified medical assistant is $65 (for AAMA members) or $130 (for non-members).

How long does it take to renew my medical assistant certification online?

The process is relatively quick depending on how close you are to the deadline for your recertification. It could take a few days or a couple of weeks for the certifying body to review your application and verify that you meet all the requirements for recertification.

Can I renew my medical assistant certification if I have let it lapse for several years?

The specific requirements after a lapse may vary between certifying bodies and the type of medical assistant certification you hold. For example, if you were certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and your certification lapsed over 90 days since it expired, you’ll need to sit for the AAMA medical assistant certification exam.

Bottom Line

If you wish to maintain your professional status and enhance your career opportunities as a medical assistant, then renewing your certification is a must.

The process of renewing your certification can vary depending on the type of certification you hold and the certifying body that issued it. Nevertheless, it’s essential to keep up-to-date with the requirements and deadlines to avoid letting your certification lapse.

If you’re a medical assistant, we encourage you to take action and renew your certifications to continue your professional growth and success in the field.

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What renewal actually means for your certification

Keeping your medical assistant certification active is not a one-time task. Every certifying body requires you to renew on a set schedule, and missing the deadline can force you to retake the full exam. Knowing exactly what renewal involves saves you time, money, and stress.

Renewal is different from recertification. Renewal means you meet the continuing education (CE) requirements, also called ongoing training hours, before your current credential expires. Recertification usually means your credential has already lapsed and you have to start over. Stay on top of renewal and you avoid the harder path.

The main credentials and their renewal cycles

Three credentials cover most medical assistants working in the United States. Each one has its own renewal timeline and CE requirements.

CMA (AAMA)

The Certified Medical Assistant credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) must be renewed every 60 months, which is five years. You need 60 CE points in that window. At least 30 of those points must come from approved AAMA sources. The remaining 30 can come from other approved providers, including employer-sponsored training.

You can also recertify by exam instead of CE points, but most working MAs find CE renewal easier because you can spread the hours across five years.

RMA (AMT)

The Registered Medical Assistant credential from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) follows an annual renewal cycle. You pay a yearly fee and complete 30 CE points every three years through AMT’s Continuing Competency program. AMT calls this program the CCAP, short for Continuing Competency Assessment Program. You log your hours directly in your AMT member portal.

NCMA (NCCT)

The National Certified Medical Assistant credential from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) also renews annually. You need 14 CE hours per year. NCCT makes this straightforward because it counts a wide range of learning activities, including in-service training at your workplace and online modules.

CCMA (NHA)

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has a two-year renewal cycle. You need 10 CE hours every two years. NHA provides CE modules directly through its online portal, so you can complete everything in one place.

How to earn continuing education hours

CE hours come from many places. You do not have to enroll in a formal class or pay high tuition to stay current.

Online CE courses

All four major certifying bodies accept online CE. The AAMA, AMT, NCCT, and NHA each have their own libraries of approved courses on their websites. Topics include pharmacology, infection control, medical law, and clinical procedures. You complete a course, pass a short quiz, and download your certificate. Most modules take one to three hours each.

Employer-sponsored training

Many clinics, hospitals, and medical offices hold mandatory in-service training sessions. These sessions often qualify for CE credit. Ask your supervisor or HR department for a certificate of completion each time you attend. Keep every certificate in a dedicated folder, either digital or paper, because you will need documentation when you submit your renewal.

Professional conferences and workshops

Attending an AAMA state chapter meeting, an AMT conference, or a similar professional event usually earns CE credit. The event organizer provides documentation. Check with your certifying body before you attend to confirm the event qualifies.

College courses

A community college course in anatomy, medical terminology, or a related subject can count toward CE. One college credit hour typically converts to 10 CE contact hours under AAMA rules, though each certifying body has its own conversion formula. Verify the conversion rate with your specific organization before you enroll.

Teaching and writing

If you teach a CE course, present at a conference, or publish an article in a peer-reviewed journal, most certifying bodies award CE credit for that work. The hours vary by activity. Check the CE guidelines on your certifying body’s website for the current limits.

Renewal fees and deadlines

Fees change periodically, so always check the current fee schedule on your certifying body’s website before you submit. Here is a general breakdown of what to expect.

AAMA CMA renewal: [VERIFY: current CMA renewal fee from aama-ntl.org]
AMT RMA annual renewal: [VERIFY: current RMA annual fee from americanmedtech.org]
NCCT NCMA annual renewal: [VERIFY: current NCMA annual fee from ncctinc.com]
NHA CCMA renewal: [VERIFY: current CCMA renewal fee from nhanow.com]

Your renewal deadline is tied to your original exam date or your last renewal date, depending on the certifying body. Log into your member account to find your exact expiration date. Set a reminder at least six months before that date so you have time to finish any remaining CE hours.

What happens if your certification lapses

A lapsed credential is not the end of your career, but it does create extra work. The steps you have to take depend on how long the credential has been expired and which organization issued it.

Short lapse (under one year)

Most certifying bodies have a grace period or a late renewal option. You will likely pay a late fee on top of the standard renewal fee, but you may not have to retake the exam. Submit your CE documentation and the fees as quickly as possible.

Longer lapse

If your credential has been expired for more than one year, many organizations require you to retake the certification exam. This means going back to exam prep materials, scheduling a test date, and paying the full exam fee again. The exact rules vary by organization, so contact your certifying body directly to find out where you stand.

Employment consequences

Some employers require you to hold an active credential as a condition of employment. A lapsed certification can affect your job status or limit the clinical duties you are allowed to perform. If your credential is close to expiring, tell your employer and submit your renewal paperwork before the deadline, not after.

Tips to make renewal easier

Renewal feels like a burden when you let CE hours pile up in the final months before your deadline. A few habits make the process much smoother.

Track your hours from day one

Start a simple spreadsheet or use the CE tracking tool inside your certifying body’s member portal. Log each activity as soon as you complete it. Record the date, the provider, the topic, the number of hours, and where you stored the certificate. This takes about two minutes per activity and saves hours of searching later.

Aim for 10 to 12 hours per year

Even if your renewal cycle is five years, completing 10 to 12 hours of CE each year keeps you well ahead of any requirement. One or two online modules per quarter is enough. You can fit them in during a lunch break or an evening at home.

Match CE topics to your job

Choose CE courses that apply to your current clinical setting. If you work in a pediatric office, take CE on pediatric vital signs or child development. If you work in cardiology, focus on EKG interpretation. Relevant CE makes you better at your job and makes renewal feel less like busywork.

Renew early

Most certifying bodies let you submit your renewal application 90 days before your expiration date. Renewing early locks in your credential and gives you a buffer if something goes wrong with your submission. You do not lose credit for early renewal; your new expiration date starts from your old one, not from the date you submit.

Specialty credentials and what they require

Some medical assistants add specialty credentials to their CMA, RMA, NCMA, or CCMA. These include credentials in phlebotomy, EKG technology, billing and coding, and clinical laboratory basics. Each specialty credential has its own renewal cycle, separate from your core MA credential.

If you hold more than one credential, map out all your expiration dates in one place. Keeping separate renewal calendars for each credential reduces the chance of missing a deadline.

How renewal supports your career growth

CE hours are not just a box to check. The topics you study during renewal build skills that employers notice. A medical assistant who stays current on infection control protocols, new coding guidelines, or updated clinical procedures is more useful to a practice than one who has not touched a CE module in years.

Renewal also keeps your resume accurate. An active, current credential tells a hiring manager that you are serious about the profession. Some practices pay higher wages or offer faster promotions to staff with active credentials and a strong CE record.

If you are thinking about moving into a supervisory role, medical coding, or a clinical leadership position, the CE hours you accumulate over time give you a documented record of professional development. That record matters when you apply for a raise or a new title.

Next steps

Check your current credential’s expiration date today. Log into your certifying body’s member portal, find your CE transcript, and count how many hours you still need. If you are short on hours, browse the approved CE course libraries at AAMA, AMT, NCCT, or NHA and pick a topic that fits your work. If you are considering adding a new credential or moving into a program that makes renewal easier, explore accredited medical assisting programs to see what fits your schedule and goals.