How to Pass the CCMA Certification Exam
CCMA Certification Exam Review & Study Guide
Healthcare costs have been steadily rising, with U.S. health spending increasing by 4.1% in 2022, reaching a total of $4.5 trillion—17.3% of GDP, according to a (AMA). As healthcare costs rise, the roles of non-physician healthcare providers, such as medical assistants (MAs), have also expanded, where MAs are increasingly tasked with more duties, including patient care, medical testing, and even assisting in procedures. This expansion of responsibilities is largely driven by the need to increase efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
Because medical assistants play a crucial role in supporting physicians, managing patient information, and performing administrative tasks, many healthcare employers now prefer or require medical assistants to be certified to ensure they are equipped to handle these growing responsibilities. However, these responsibilities come with specific regulatory requirements, particularly regarding credentialing. But with so many certification options available, how do you determine which one is most beneficial for your career goals? What does the certification process entail, and how often do you need to recertify? What costs are associated with certification? In this article, we’ll dive into what you need to know about obtaining the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification.
For more information on how to become a Medical Assistant read our comprehensive guide.
Why Earn a Medical Assistant Certification?
While medical assistants (MAs) can technically work without a state license or certification, the vast majority of employers either require or strongly prefer MAs who hold at least one recognized credential. This trend is driven by the increasing demand for qualified professionals who can handle a wide range of tasks in healthcare settings. For MAs who perform specific procedures like phlebotomy or x-rays, or those who work in specialized fields such as podiatry or ophthalmology, specialized training and certification may be a mandatory requirement. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a rule in 2012 requiring that only credentialed MAs be allowed to enter laboratory, radiology, and medical orders into computerized systems. This move underscores the growing importance of certification, as it directly impacts the quality and safety of patient care.
Even in cases where certification is not explicitly required, obtaining your MA credential is a smart and strategic career move. Earning certification demonstrates that you meet specific, industry-recognized standards for competence, showcasing your dedication to your profession. It assures your employer that you are not only qualified but also prepared to perform at a high level.
Moreover, certification can open doors to greater responsibilities, a wider range of career opportunities, and higher earning potential. It can be a key differentiator in a competitive job market, offering you the chance to advance in your medical assisting career or even transition into new specialties and roles within the healthcare field.
What is the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Exam?
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam verifies your competencies for CCMA certification. It is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Professionals who earn the CCMA certification have the knowledge and skills to safely perform a full range of MA responsibilities.
About The National Healthcareer Association
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is the largest allied health certification agency in the United States, with a remarkable track record of awarding over 1 million certifications. As a recognized leader in healthcare certification, the NHA plays a pivotal role in ensuring the competence of professionals across a wide range of allied health fields. Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the NHA’s certification exams are designed to assess the skills, knowledge, and competencies that are most meaningful to potential employers and critical to the current demands of the healthcare job market.
The NHA’s certifications are specifically designed to ensure that professionals possess the expertise necessary to deliver high-quality care while maintaining industry standards. Whether you are looking to enhance your career prospects, validate your abilities, or meet employer expectations, earning an NHA certification provides a significant advantage. The NHA’s exams focus on real-world scenarios and current practices, ensuring that certified individuals are well-equipped to excel in their roles. This commitment to relevant, up-to-date training makes NHA certifications highly valued by employers and essential for advancing in the healthcare field.
For more information, visit the official NHA website: National Healthcareer Association.
Why Choose CCMA Certification?
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), is one of the most respected credentials in the healthcare industry. NHA is not just a certification provider; it serves as a committed certification partner, offering a comprehensive suite of tools, resources, and support to help you succeed in your career. With a focus on empowering professionals to advance in the ever-evolving healthcare field, NHA provides a wealth of resources designed to ensure your success long after earning your certification.
By choosing the CCMA certification, you benefit from a range of advantages that go beyond just earning a credential. The National Healthcareer Association offers:
- NCCA-Accredited Certification Exams: The NHA is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), ensuring that its exams meet the highest standards for rigor and relevance, making the CCMA certification highly recognized by employers across the country.
- Best-in-Class Customer Support and Care: NHA is dedicated to providing exceptional support for their certified professionals, offering resources to guide you through the certification process and beyond. Whether you need exam preparation materials, guidance on career advancement, or assistance with your certification status, NHA is there every step of the way.
- Access to Certification Through Multiple Eligibility Pathways: NHA understands that everyone’s career journey is unique. That’s why the CCMA certification is accessible through various eligibility pathways, offering flexibility for those with different educational backgrounds and work experience.
- Stacked Credentials and Career Advancement Opportunities: NHA supports career growth by providing options to earn stacked credentials. This means that you can build upon your CCMA certification to unlock new roles and responsibilities, leading to career advancement and higher earning potential.
- Analytics and Reporting Solutions: NHA offers comprehensive analytics and reporting solutions to track your progress and performance. These tools provide valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement, helping you make informed decisions about your professional development.
With over 1 million certifications awarded since 1989 and a reputation for high standards, the NHA’s CCMA certification ensures that you are equipped with the skills and credentials needed to thrive in a competitive healthcare job market.
Pass Rates for NHA Examinations
The following data on exam numbers and passing percentages is based on the 2024 calendar year. The passing score for all exams is 390/500. For the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, there were 78,681 examinations administered, with a passing percentage of 81.38%, and a total of 233,190 active certifications. The number of active certifications is as of December 31, 2024.
Key Advantages of CCMA Certification
- Most Widely Held MA Certification: The CCMA is the most commonly held certification for medical assistants, making it a valuable credential for those looking to establish themselves in the healthcare field. As one of the most recognized certifications, it provides a competitive edge and is highly regarded by employers across the country.
- Validates Current Knowledge and Skills: Earning the CCMA certification confirms that you possess the essential knowledge and skills required to perform core medical assisting duties, such as patient care, medical office administration, and clinical procedures. For more details on the areas covered in the certification exam, visit the exam content outline.
- Eligibility Options: One of the flexible pathways to certification is through 1 year of current work experience as a medical assistant. This makes the CCMA certification accessible to those with hands-on experience in the field, allowing you to earn a credential that aligns with your practical skills. Find out more about eligibility requirements on the NHA eligibility page.
- High Passing Rate of over 81%: The CCMA exam boasts an impressive passing rate of 81.38%, which is significantly higher than other medical assistant certifications. As of January 2025, it is higher than the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) at 75.96% the Certified EKG Technician (CET) at 69.66%, and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) at 62.68%. Learn more about the top examination passing rates.
- Free Detailed Test Plan: To help candidates prepare effectively, the NHA offers a free, detailed test plan and study packages These resources provide an overview of the topics covered in the CCMA exam and serve as guides for your study efforts.
- Study Guide Plus Practice Test: For those looking to further enhance their exam preparation, NHA offers a study guide ($69) and practice tests ($49). Or you can get the bundle that includes both ($94). These resources include review materials and practice questions designed to help you familiarize yourself with the format and content of the CCMA exam.
- Recertification: Maintaining your CCMA certification is simple and convenient, as recertification can be completed entirely online. This streamlined process ensures that you can keep your certification active without the need for in-person visits, making it easy to stay up to date with industry standards. For more details on the recertification process, visit the NHA recertification page.
How Many Questions Are on the CCMA Exam?
What Is the Content of the CCMA Exam?
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Certification Exam is intended to certify that a candidate has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of a Medical Assistant. A complete outline of the topics covered on the test is available on the NHA website.
Here is a breakdown of the CCMA exam with percentages based on scored questions only:
| Content Category | Number of Questions | Percentage of Exam |
| Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science | 15 | 10% |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 | 5% |
| Clinical Patient Care | 84 | 56% |
| Patient Care Coordination and Education | 12 | 8% |
| Administrative Assisting | 12 | 8% |
| Communication and Customer Service | 12 | 8% |
| Medical Law and Ethics | 7 | 5% |
| TOTAL | 150 | 100% |
How is the CCMA Exam Scored?
The computerized CCMA exam is a pass/fail exam with a range of possible scaled scores from 200 to 500. Scores across all forms of the CCMA examination are equated and directly comparable. A score of 390 or higher is a passing score. Candidates who fail the exam must wait one month before retaking it. After two unsuccessful attempts, candidates will be required to wait one full year prior to testing again.
What are the Prerequisites for the CCMA Exam?
As previously mentioned, to qualify for the CCMA certification exam, you must possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency and either complete a medical assistant training or education program within the last five years or have one year of supervised work experience in the medical assisting field within the last three years.
How to Register for the CCMA Exam
Registering for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam is a straightforward process, and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers clear guidance to help you get started. Here is a brief summary of the high-level steps to follow:
- Check Eligibility Requirements: Ensure that you meet one of the eligibility pathways for the CCMA exam. Generally, candidates must have completed a medical assistant training program or have relevant work experience. If you are uncertain if you are eligible to apply for any of NHA’s Nationally Accredited Certification Exams, please refer to NHA’s Candidate Handbook for details and descriptions.
- Create an NHA Account: To begin the registration process, create an account on the NHA website. This account will be your hub for exam registration, preparation resources, and tracking of your certification status. You can create your account here.
- Schedule Your Exam: Once your account is set up, log in and select the CCMA exam from the list of available certifications. You can choose to take the exam online through a remote proctoring service or at an in-person testing center.
- Pay the Exam Fee: The cost of the CCMA exam application fee is $165.Payment can be made directly through your NHA account during the registration process. Be sure to check if your employer or training program offers financial assistance or vouchers for exam fees.
- Prepare for the Exam: After registering, take advantage of the study resources offered by NHA. These include a free detailed test plan, practice tests, and study guides to help you succeed on the exam.
- Take the Exam: On the scheduled day, ensure you have the required identification and materials ready. If you’re taking the test online, set up your testing environment as instructed by NHA. For in-person exams, arrive at the testing center early to check-in.
How Much Does It Cost to Take the CCMA Exam?
As mentioned above, the fee to take the CCMA exam is $165. In addition, CCMA certification must be renewed every 2 years in two ways:
- Recertification fee: $169.00 every two years
- CE requirements: Every two years, certificate holders must earn 10 NHA continuing education credits (2 hours of CE equals 1 NHA CE credit)
How Many Times Can You Take the CCMA Exam?
If you do not pass the CCMA exam, you are allowed up to three retake attempts. After completing the exam, you will receive a detailed score report with a diagnostic breakdown of your performance across the major content areas. This report helps identify the specific domains where improvement is needed, allowing you to focus your preparation for the next attempt.
Candidates must wait at least 30 days before retaking the exam. If you are unsuccessful after two attempts, a waiting period of one full year is required before you can test again.
How Do I Study for the CCMA Exam?
Passing the CCMA exam on your first attempt is achievable with the right preparation and strategy. Here are some essential tips to help you succeed:
- Understand the Exam Topics: Familiarize yourself with the topics covered on the CCMA exam. The NHA provides a complete outline of the certification exam, detailing all the content areas that may appear. Use this outline as your study guide, identifying topics where you feel less confident and dedicating extra time to review them.
- Create a Study Schedule: Avoid last-minute cramming by setting up a structured study plan. Treat your exam preparation with the same commitment as a job or school project. Dedicate specific times each week to focus on studying and eliminate distractions during these sessions. Prioritize challenging topics and consistently review material to build your confidence.
- Use the Online Study Guide and Practice Test: The NHA offers an interactive online study guide and a practice test bundle for $94.00. The practice test also provides insights into your strengths and areas that need improvement, helping you tailor your preparation. Read more on how to read a test plan here.
- Utilize Additional Resources: Supplement your preparation with other study tools such as textbooks, online courses, and flashcards. Joining study groups or finding a study partner can also enhance your learning by providing opportunities for discussion and shared insights.
- Stay Consistent and Confident: Consistent study and review are key to mastering the exam material. Stay positive, focus on your progress, and remember that the time and effort you invest in studying will pay off when you pass the CCMA exam.
Preparation is the key to success, and by following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to earning your CCMA certification and advancing your career in healthcare.
CCMA Sample Exam
The difficulty of the CCMA exam largely depends on your level of preparation. The more thoroughly you study, the more manageable the exam will feel. To help you get started, here are 10 sample questions that reflect the content and structure of the CCMA exam. Answers are provided at the bottom of the page for your reference.
1. What does the term edema mean?
- a) Rash
- b) Swelling
- c) Within
- d) Vomiting
2. What is the appropriate way to take a radial pulse?
- a) Place your index finger and middle finger on the wrist, under the thumb
- b) Place your index finger and middle finger on the wrist, under the pinky finger
- c) Place your thumb on the side of the neck, next to the trachea
- d) Place your index finger on the inner side of the upper arm, about halfway between the shoulder and the elbow
3. A patient is anxious and begins hyperventilating. His hands and lips start to feel numb and tingly, and he feels lightheaded. What is the physiological cause of his symptoms?
- a) Excess carbon dioxide in the blood
- b) Excess oxygen in the blood
- c) Lack of oxygen in the blood
- d) Lack of carbon dioxide in the blood
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the five stages of grief as described by the Kübler-Ross model?
- a) Denial
- b) Anger
- c) Bargaining
- d) Delusions
5. Which of the following is tracked on a standard growth chart for patients ages 2 to 20?
- a) Age, weight, BMI
- b) Age, head circumference, height
- c) Age, height, and weight
- d) Age, head circumference, weight, height
6. A patient is upset and angry after an appointment. She is distraught and unable to pay attention when you tell her what dates are available for her follow-up appointment. This results in some confusion, and the patient accuses you of not listening. What form of defense mechanism is this patient likely demonstrating?
- a) Reaction formation
- b) Projection
- c) Displacement
- d) Denial
7. You are asked to give a three-year-old child a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The child weighs 15 kg. The medication order says to give the child a dose of 15 mg/kg. The oral solution concentration is 160 mg/5 mL. What dose of the oral solution should you give the child?
- a) 7 mL
- b) 2 mL
- c) 5 mL
- d) 9 mL
8. You have finished all of your assigned tasks and are thinking of leaving a few minutes early for your lunch break when the doctor approaches you and tells you that there are patients waiting to be seen, but the exam rooms have not yet been cleaned after the last patients. You know that this is the responsibility of another medical assistant in the office, but she is on the phone dealing with an important personal problem. What should you do?
- a) Reassure the doctor that you will take care of the problem, and then quickly clean the rooms yourself
- b) Ask someone else in the office to clean the patient exam rooms
- c) Wait until the other medical assistant is off the phone, and then tell her that the rooms need to be cleaned quickly
- d) Explain to the doctor that cleaning the patient exam rooms isn’t your assignment today, and tell the doctor where to find the appropriate medical assistant
9. How should you position yourself in an exam room with a patient who seems angry and potentially aggressive?
- a) Position yourself with a desk between you and the patient
- b) Position yourself seated next to the patient
- c) Position yourself as far as possible away from the patient
- d) Position yourself between the patient and the door
10. You witness a patient suddenly collapse in the office. You run to the patient and realize she is unconscious, does not have a pulse, and is not breathing. While someone else calls 911, you and your coworkers begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At what point should you use an automated external defibrillator (AED)?
- a) As soon as possible
- b) If the patient still has no pulse after five minutes of CPR
- c) As soon as emergency medical help arrives
- d) After one round or two minutes of CPR have been performed
Answers to the practice quiz
1) B 2) A 3) D 4) D 5) C 6) B 7) A 8) A 9) D 10) A
About Eagle Gate College
This article provided a comprehensive overview of the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification, outlining its benefits, requirements, and the steps needed to prepare for and pass the exam. It explained why certification is important in today’s healthcare landscape, highlighted key resources for studying, and discussed retesting policies. The article also emphasized the advantages of earning the CCMA credential, including career growth, industry recognition, and increased earning potential.
Founded in 1979, Eagle Gate College has been dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on experience required for successful healthcare careers. Thousands of graduates have benefited from its adaptable curriculum, designed to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry. With modern labs, experienced faculty, and practical training, Eagle Gate’s Medical Assisting program combines virtual instruction, hands-on lab exercises, and a supervised externship, offering students both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience in as little as nine months. Begin your journey toward becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant today and explore the opportunities waiting for you!
