Medical assisting relies on nationally recognized credentials to demonstrate a professional’s competency and knowledge base. Healthcare employers often require or strongly prefer that candidates hold a certification, which objectively measures preparedness for the role. The two most widely accepted credentials are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). This comparison details the organizations, core similarities, and specific requirements for obtaining and maintaining each one.
Understanding the Role of the Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are multiskilled members of the healthcare team who perform administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. This role blends patient care and office management to ensure the smooth operation of clinics and private practices.
Administrative duties include managing patient records, scheduling appointments, handling billing, and processing insurance paperwork. Clinical tasks involve measuring vital signs, collecting specimens, assisting physicians during examinations and minor procedures, and administering medications as permitted by state law. Medical assistants are highly sought after in various healthcare environments, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians’ offices.
The Certified Medical Assistant Designation
The Certified Medical Assistant credential, designated as CMA (AAMA), is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Founded in 1956, the AAMA is the oldest and largest association dedicated exclusively to advancing the medical assisting profession. Established in 1963, the CMA is one of the most recognized certifications in the field.
The AAMA provides education, certification, and advocacy for quality patient-centered healthcare. The organization developed professional standards and certification criteria, ensuring that CMA professionals are knowledgeable and highly skilled in both administrative and clinical procedures.
The Registered Medical Assistant Designation
The Registered Medical Assistant credential, designated as RMA (AMT), is offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT), a national credentialing organization for various allied health professionals. AMT has provided the RMA certification since 1972, establishing a respected pathway for entry into the profession.
AMT focuses on credentialing and supporting its certificants while promoting competence in healthcare delivery. The organization offers a more flexible range of eligibility options, recognizing competency gained through formal education, work experience, or military training. The RMA certification is nationally recognized.
Core Commonalities of CMA and RMA
Both the CMA and RMA certifications are nationally recognized credentials accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which provides a foundation of credibility within the healthcare industry. The scope of practice for both roles is practically identical, requiring competence across the core curriculum of medical assisting, including general medical knowledge, administrative skills, and clinical procedures.
Neither credential is superior in terms of job function or tasks performed. They both recognize professionalism and ensure the individual meets a standard of competency. Furthermore, there is generally no significant difference in the median salary earned by medical assistants holding either a CMA or an RMA certification.
Direct Comparison of Certification Requirements
The primary differences between the CMA and RMA credentials involve eligibility pathways and maintenance requirements.
CMA Eligibility
To qualify for the CMA exam, candidates must be a graduate or near-graduate of a medical assisting program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). This path emphasizes a formal, accredited educational background.
RMA Eligibility
The RMA certification offers a broader range of eligibility options. While graduates of accredited programs can apply, the RMA also allows pathways based on work experience. These include a minimum of three years of full-time employment as a medical assistant within the last seven years, or completion of a medical services training program in the U.S. Armed Forces. This flexibility is a defining difference.
Maintenance Requirements
The CMA requires recertification every five years, accomplished by retaking the exam or earning 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The RMA requires renewal every three years, requiring 30 CEUs. The CMA imposes specific content area requirements for the CEUs (10 administrative, 10 clinical, and 10 general). The RMA requires participation in a Certification Continuation Program that documents activities supporting ongoing competency.
Career Implications and Professional Recognition
The choice between a CMA and an RMA can influence perceived value depending on the employer or geographical location. Due to its longer history and stricter initial educational requirement, the CMA is sometimes viewed as the industry standard and may be more widely recognized in certain regions. This reflects the AAMA’s emphasis on a standardized, accredited education path.
The RMA credential, with its multiple eligibility routes, benefits experienced medical assistants who did not attend a traditional accredited program, such as those with military training or extensive on-the-job experience. While most employers accept either certification, job seekers should check local postings, as some healthcare systems may explicitly prefer or require one credential over the other. Both certifications provide the professional recognition necessary to secure employment and advance in the medical assisting field.