The exam
NHA CCMA exam
Format, content areas and how the medical assistant certifications compare.
Exam simulator
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About the exam
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Scored items | 150 |
| Unscored pretest items | 30 |
| Time allowed | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Passing scaled score | 390 (scale 200-500) |
Figures are from NHA's CCMA test plan and candidate handbook. The simulator is practice material and is not the official exam. Confirm current details with NHA. NHA website.
Content areas
| Domain | Items |
|---|---|
| Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science | 15 items |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 items |
| Clinical Patient Care | 84 items |
| Patient Care Coordination and Education | 12 items |
| Administrative Assisting | 12 items |
| Communication and Customer Service | 12 items |
| Medical Law and Ethics | 7 items |
Study categories in the question bank
- Clinical Patient Care
- Phlebotomy
- EKG & Cardiovascular
- Infection Control
- Pharmacology Basics
- Medical Office Admin
- Patient Prep & Vitals
- Safety & Emergency
- Medical Terminology
- Law & Ethics
Who certifies
The CCMA is issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Other certifications for medical assistants have their own issuers:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
- Certified EKG Technician (CET)
- Patient Care Technician (PCT)
- Medical Office Assistant (MOA)
Compare certifications
| Certification | Issuer | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | Set by NHA; see your NHA account at registration | 2 years from the issue date |
| Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) | AAMA — American Association of Medical Assistants | See the issuer for the current fee | See the issuer for the current certification period |
| Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) | AMT — American Medical Technologists | See the issuer for the current fee | See the issuer for the current certification period |
| National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) | NCCT — National Center for Competency Testing | See the issuer for the current fee | See the issuer for the current certification period |
| Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Certified EKG Technician (CET) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Patient Care Technician (PCT) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Medical Office Assistant (MOA) | Various — community college and proprietary certificates | Varies by program | Non-certificate: no formal validity |
Costs and validity reflect each issuer's posted policy; verify with the issuer before you register.