CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam
The CMA (AAMA) credential is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and is widely considered the gold standard for the medical assisting profession . The exam validates that a candidate possesses the clinical, administrative, and general knowledge required to perform both front-office and back-office duties in ambulatory care settings. Exam Format and Scoring: The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, of which 180 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest items . Candidates have approximately 160 minutes of testing time, often divided into four 40-minute segments with optional breaks . The exam is computer-based and delivered at Prometric testing centers . A scaled score of 405 (on a 200–800 scale) is generally required to pass, which corresponds to roughly 64% correct . Content Domains: The exam blueprint is weighted across three primary areas: Clinical Competency (approx. 47–59%): Anatomy/physiology, infection control, patient intake, specimen collection, diagnostic testing, pharmacology, and emergency management . General (approx. 28%): Medical terminology, law/ethics, psychology, communication, and professionalism . Administrative (approx. 25%): Medical reception, scheduling, medical records, billing, and practice finances . Eligibility and Recertification: Candidates must generally graduate from a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES . The credential must be recertified every 60 months through continuing education or re-examination .
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