CCMA

CCMA

Offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

The NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential is a national medical-assistant certification used by many clinics, health systems, and...

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CCMA exam at a glance

Format

180 multiple-choice questions (150 scored + 30 unscored pretest)

Duration

3 hours

Delivery

PSI test center or NHA live remote proctoring

Passing score

390 on a 200–500 scaled scale

Exam cost

Confirm the current exam fee in your NHA account (typically mid-$100s USD per attempt; school or employer vouchers may differ)

Validity

2 years; recertify with continuing education or by exam (confirm current NHA recertification rules)

Prerequisites

High-school diploma or equivalent plus an approved training route or qualifying work experience — see the NHA Candidate Handbook for the current routes

About the CCMA certification

The NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential is a national medical-assistant certification used by many clinics, health systems, and training programs. The exam is built from NHA's job analysis and the current CCMA test plan.

You sit 180 multiple-choice items (150 scored + 30 pretest) in 3 hours. Clinical Patient Care is more than half of the scored exam. NHA uses a scaled passing score of 390 on a 200–500 scale. Delivery is at PSI centers or via live remote proctoring.

Who it’s for: Medical assisting students and working MAs who need a national clinical medical assistant credential.

Official exam page· Details verified September 2026

Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.

What the CCMA exam covers
  • Clinical Patient Care
    84 scored items
  • Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science
    15
  • Patient Intake and Vitals (within Clinical Patient Care)
  • Patient Care Coordination and Education
    12
  • Administrative Assisting
    12
  • Communication and Customer Service
    12
  • Anatomy and Physiology
    8
  • Medical Law and Ethics
    7
How to study for the CCMA
  1. 1Download the current NHA CCMA detailed test plan — Clinical Patient Care is 84 of 150 scored items.
  2. 2Drill vitals, infection control, point-of-care testing, phlebotomy, and EKG until those tasks are automatic.
  3. 3Add a shorter block for admin, coordination, communication, and law/ethics so those 43 items are not left to chance.
  4. 4Sit timed 180-question practice exams targeting the 390 scaled standard.
  5. 5Confirm your eligibility route and retake wait rules in the Candidate Handbook before you schedule.

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CCMA — frequently asked questions

What score do I need to pass the CCMA?

A scaled score of 390 or higher on NHA's 200–500 scale. The raw number of correct answers needed can vary by form.

Is CCMA the same as CMA (AAMA)?

No. CCMA is NHA. Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) is a separate exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (/certifications/aama-cma) with different eligibility (typically CAAHEP/ABHES program graduation). Employers may accept one, the other, or both.