CMA

Thecma(Aama)Certificationexam

The CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam, developed by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants, evaluates the knowledge that entry-level medical assistants need across clinical, general, and administrative practice. Passing it earns the CMA (AAMA) credential and demonstrates your commitment to professional standards and quality patient care.

Exam Pattern

The exam is computer-based and contains 200 multiple-choice questions: 180 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions that are being evaluated for future forms. Pretest questions are mixed in with scored questions and look exactly like them, so treat every question as if it counts.

Testing time is 160 minutes, divided into four 40-minute segments. You may take optional breaks between segments, up to 20 minutes in total, and the full appointment, including a tutorial, is scheduled for up to 3 hours. You test at a PSI test center or by live remote proctoring.

The Three Content Categories

The current content outline organizes the exam into three categories. Clinical Competency is by far the largest.

Clinical Competency · 106 items

59%

Reviewed in Sections 1–4

General · 38 items

21%

Reviewed in Sections 5–6

Administrative · 36 items

20%

Reviewed in Sections 7–8

Howthisguide'Sreviewsectionsmaptotheexam

ExamCategory	OutlineSubcategory	WhereItIsReviewed
I ClinicalCompetency(59%) .	A ClinicalWorkflow:PatientIntake .	Section1
	andDischarge
	B SafetyandInfectionControl .	Section2
	C Procedures/Examinations .	Section3
	D Pharmacology .	Section4
II General(21%) .	E LegalandEthicalIssues .	Section5

Howthisguide'Sreviewsectionsmaptotheexam(Continued)

ExamCategory	OutlineSubcategory	WhereItIsReviewed
	F Communication .	Section6
III Administrative(20%) .	G Billing Coding andInsurance . , ,	Section7
	H SchedulingAppointmentsand .	Section8
	HealthInformationManagement

Scoring and Passing Requirements

Only the 180 scored questions count toward your result. Raw scores are converted to a scaled score from 200 to 800, and a scaled score of 405 or higher passes. Scaling holds every candidate to the same standard regardless of which exam form they receive. You learn whether you passed as soon as you finish, and a detailed score report showing performance by content area follows by email, usually within about a day. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so answer every question.

Each 40-minute segment contains 50 questions, which leaves about 48 seconds per question. Answer what you know quickly, flag items that need more thought, and return to them before the segment's time runs out; unused time does not carry over to the next segment.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Credential	CMA (AAMA)® Certified Medical Assistant awarded by the Certifying Board of the AAMA — ,
Delivery	Computer-based at PSI test centers or by live remote proctoring within an assigned 90 -day testing , ,
	period
Questions	200 multiple-choice: 180 scored and 20 unscored pretest questions
Time	160 minutes in four 40 -minute segments; optional breaks totaling up to 20 minutes
Content	ClinicalCompetency59%·General21%·Administrative20%
Scoring	Scaled200–800;passingscore405;nopenaltyforguessing
Fees	$125forAAMAmembersandrecentgraduates;$250fornonmembers
Retakes	Up to six attempts within a 12 -month period; each attempt requires a new application and fee
Recertification	Every60months bycontinuingeducation(60CEUs)orbyretakingtheexam ,

Eligibility and Registration

Most candidates qualify as completing students or graduates of a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES. The AAMA also recognizes nonrecent graduates of accredited programs, graduates of qualifying postsecondary programs, recertifying CMAs, and medical assisting educators with qualifying teaching experience. You apply and pay online through the AAMA, receive a 90-day testing period, and then schedule your appointment with PSI. Confirm the current requirements on the AAMA website before applying.

Why the CMA (AAMA) Credential Matters