Healthcare · Comparison
CCMA vs CMA vs RMA: Which Medical Assistant Cert?
Three certifications dominate the medical assistant field in the United States: the CCMA from the National Healthcareer Association, the CMA from the American Association of Medical Assistants, and the RMA from American Medical Technologists. They certify similar work, so the choice usually comes down to eligibility, the awarding body, and what local employers prefer.
All three certify medical assistants. The CCMA offers flexible eligibility; the CMA is the most academically gated. Employer preference is often the deciding factor.
Practise the certifications in this article
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Practice questionsStudy guide
What the Three Have in Common
CCMA, CMA, and RMA all certify clinical medical assistants who perform a mix of clinical and administrative tasks in outpatient and physician-office settings. All three are nationally recognised in the United States, all are earned by passing a certification exam, and all require ongoing continuing education to stay current.
The scope of work behind each is broadly the same: patient intake, vital signs, assisting with procedures, basic clinical tasks, and administrative duties. Because the underlying role is shared, no one of these certifications turns you into a different kind of professional. The differences are about who awards the credential, how you qualify to sit, and which one employers in your area ask for.
The CCMA (National Healthcareer Association)
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Its exam is 150 multiple-choice questions over 180 minutes, with a passing score of 390 on a scaled range, delivered by computer at a Pearson VUE test centre or by online proctoring. The exam fee is USD 155.
The content is weighted heavily toward hands-on clinical work. Clinical Patient Care alone is 56 per cent of the exam, with the remainder spread across foundational science, anatomy and physiology, patient care coordination and education, administrative assisting, communication and customer service, and medical law and ethics. The CCMA is known for relatively flexible eligibility, with routes through an approved training program or through documented work experience, which makes it accessible to candidates who did not follow a single academic path.
The CMA and the RMA
The CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants. It is generally regarded as the most academically gated of the three, because eligibility centres on graduating from a medical assisting program accredited by specific accrediting bodies. For candidates who complete such a program, the CMA is a well-established and widely respected credential.
The RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) is awarded by American Medical Technologists. It is another long-standing national credential, with eligibility routes that typically include accredited training or relevant experience. Because the CMA and RMA are administered by different organisations with their own requirements, you should confirm the current eligibility rules and exam details directly with AAMA and AMT respectively before committing, rather than assuming they match the CCMA.
How to Choose Between Them
Start with employer preference. Job postings in your area, and the hiring practices of the clinics and hospital systems you want to work for, are the most practical guide, because some employers specify a particular certification while others accept any of the three. A quick scan of local listings settles a surprising amount of the decision.
Then consider eligibility and your training path. If you graduated from a program accredited to the CMA's standard, that route is open and respected. If your path was less standardised, the CCMA's flexible eligibility may be the most accessible. The RMA is worth weighing where it is locally recognised or where its eligibility routes fit your background. In most cases the smartest move is to match the credential to what employers near you actually ask for.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CCMA, CMA, and RMA?
They are three national medical assistant certifications awarded by different organisations: the CCMA by the National Healthcareer Association, the CMA by the American Association of Medical Assistants, and the RMA by American Medical Technologists. They certify similar work, but differ in awarding body, eligibility requirements, and regional employer recognition.
Which medical assistant certification is best?
There is no single best one. The CMA is the most academically gated and widely respected where its accredited-program route fits you; the CCMA offers more flexible eligibility; the RMA is another established option. The best choice is usually whichever the employers in your area prefer.
How many questions are on the CCMA exam?
The CCMA exam is 150 multiple-choice questions over 180 minutes, with a passing score of 390 on a scaled range, delivered at a Pearson VUE test centre or by online proctoring. The exam fee is USD 155.
Is the CCMA easier than the CMA?
The CCMA is generally easier to become eligible for, because it offers routes through an approved training program or documented work experience, whereas the CMA centres on graduating from a program accredited to a specific standard. Exam difficulty depends on your preparation rather than which credential you choose.
Examworthy is not affiliated with or endorsed by National Healthcareer Association. This article is original commentary based on public exam blueprints and published sources. We never reproduce live exam items. All certification names and marks belong to their respective owners.