The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, specifically the CMA (AAMA) issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants, signifies a professional level of competence and training. Maintaining this certification is a mandatory commitment, ensuring professionals remain current with evolving healthcare practices and technology. Recertification upholds the validity of the credential for employers and protects patient safety by confirming a CMA’s ongoing professional development.
The Five-Year Recertification Cycle
The core requirement for all CMAs certified by the AAMA is mandatory recertification every 60 months. This five-year cycle demonstrates a commitment to current competency and knowledge in the medical assisting field. The new certification period begins on the first day of the month immediately following the date of initial certification or the most recent recertification. For example, a certification earned or renewed in February 2020 will expire on the last day of February 2025.
Choosing Your Path to Recertification
A CMA has two methods for fulfilling the mandatory recertification requirement at the end of the five-year cycle. The most frequently chosen option involves accumulating Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over the 60-month period. The second option is to successfully pass the CMA Certification Exam again, which serves as a single, high-stakes assessment of current competency. Applicants must choose one of these two paths to renew their credential, depending on their preferred learning style and career demands.
Recertifying Through Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
The most common path requires the CMA to accumulate 60 continuing education units (CEUs) within the five-year recertification period. These units must be earned through educational activities relevant to the medical assisting profession. At least 30 of the 60 required CEUs must be AAMA-approved. A maximum of 30 CEUs may come from other approved sources, such as college credit or certain physician Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs. The AAMA requires that the 60 total CEUs be distributed across three mandatory content categories to ensure a balanced knowledge base.
Administrative Content
A minimum of 10 recertification points must be earned in the Administrative Content category. This area focuses on the non-clinical, operational aspects of the medical office environment. Topics covered typically include subjects like medical coding, billing procedures, insurance processing, and office management. Maintaining proficiency in administrative functions ensures the efficient operation of the healthcare facility.
Clinical Content
Another minimum of 10 recertification points must be earned in the Clinical Content category. This section addresses the patient-facing and hands-on aspects of the medical assistant’s role. Relevant education in this category includes topics such as pharmacology, laboratory procedures, patient screening, and basic clinical testing. The focus here is on ensuring the CMA’s technical skills and clinical judgment remain sharp and up-to-date.
General Content
The third required category is General Content, which also demands a minimum of 10 recertification points. This category is critical for covering the foundational, professional, and regulatory knowledge that underpins the CMA’s practice. Content often includes subjects like applied communication skills, professional responsibility, and legal or regulatory issues impacting healthcare. The remaining 30 CEU points needed to reach the 60-point total may be accumulated in any combination from these three categories.
Recertifying By Re-Examination
The alternative path to recertification involves successfully retaking the CMA Certification Exam. This option is available to any CMA, regardless of their current CEU count, and is often selected by professionals who prefer a single, comprehensive assessment over tracking ongoing education. The recertification exam is identical to the initial certification exam, which tests the full scope of a medical assistant’s current knowledge and competency. Passing the examination immediately resets the five-year recertification cycle. Applicants must apply for the exam during the designated window, pay the required recertification fee, and then schedule and pass the high-stakes test.
Maintaining Active Status and Avoiding Lapses
To maintain active status, a CMA must submit all required documentation and fees to the AAMA before the credential’s expiration date. Failure to complete the recertification process on time results in a lapse, meaning the individual can no longer legally use the CMA (AAMA) credential, which can jeopardize employment. A lapsed certification requires the payment of a reactivation fee in addition to the standard recertification fee.
The reinstatement process for a lapsed credential is time-sensitive, as a CMA whose certification has been expired for more than three months forfeits the right to reactivate the credential using the continuing education path. After this 90-day grace period, the only option to regain the CMA (AAMA) credential is to successfully sit for and pass the full CMA Certification Exam again. This strict policy underscores the importance of proactive planning and timely submission to avoid the inconvenience and cost of a full re-examination.