After you have completed your studies as a medical assistant, you ought to upgrade your status by earning a medical assistant certificate — Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). It shows that someone has been certified by the Certifying Board of American Association of Medical Assistants (AMMA). In fact, CMAs (AMMA) are more preferred by the employers since their credibility is proven. So, how to become a CMA?

First, you need to graduate from an accredited medical assisting school. It is the prerequisite before anything else.

Second, you have to take the CMA (AMMA) Certification/Recertification examination. Start from April 1, 2009, the examination is available throughout the year. Certain documentation and enrollment fee will be required when you are filling out the examination application form. Your application status will be informed by AAMA within 45 days after the application deadline. You can also check your application status via email. Once your application has been approved, you will receive instructions on how to make an appointment for the time and location for your examination schedule. For your information, you will have higher chances to get the preferred location and time if you schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

After all the procedures, the crucial part will be study for your exam! In order to avoid missing any topics, you have to know what are the topics covered in the exam by following the Content Outline for the CMA (AMMA) Certification Exam. If possible, take a CMA (CMMA) exam review course to have an overview how the exam format will look like. It will be helpful to reduce your anxiety level since you already know what you can expect from the exam later.

Now, you are more aware about what to prepare for your medical assistant certificate, it is time for you to send out your application and get yourself prepared for the CMA (AMMA) examination. Good luck!