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Exam Overview
The NCMA exam is a computer-based test taken at an NCCT-authorized test site or through remote proctoring. All questions are in English and appear in random order.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Certifying body | National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) |
| Credential | National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) |
| Number of questions | 150 questions: 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions |
| Question formats | About 92% standard four-option multiple choice; about 8% alternative items (drag and drop, multi-select, hotspot) |
| Time limit | 3 hours |
| Score scale and passing score | Scaled score from 200 to 720; 575 or higher passes |
| Guessing | No penalty for guessing |
| Results | Available right after the exam in your NCCT account |
| Delivery | Computer-based, at an NCCT-authorized test site or by remote proctoring |
| Exam fee | $119; remote testing adds a $44 non-refundable fee |
| Renewal | Every year: 12 contact hours of continuing education plus the recertification fee |
What the Exam Covers
The NCMA Detailed Test Plan has four main content areas. The second area, Clinical Medical Procedures, is split into four parts. The following table shows the number of scored questions in each area and the sections of this guide that teach it.
| Content Area | Scored Questions | Approximate Weight | Guide Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pharmacology and General Medical Knowledge | 18 | 14.4% | Sections 1 and 2 |
| 2A Infection Control and Safety | 15 | 12% | Section 3 |
| 2B Patient Intake and Care | 32 | 25.6% | Sections 4 and 5 (and medication administration in Section 2) |
| 2C Phlebotomy | 15 | 12% | Section 6 |
| 2D ECG | 10 | 8% | Section 7 |
| 3 Medical Administrative Duties | 15 | 12% | Section 8 |
| 4 Law and Ethics | 20 | 16% | Section 9 |
Together, parts 2A through 2D account for 72 scored questions, or 57.6% of the exam.
How the Exam Is Scored
Your result is reported as a scaled score between 200 and 720, and you need 575 or higher to pass. A scaled score is not a percentage. NCCT converts your number of correct scored answers to the scale so that every version of the exam is held to the same standard. The passing standard is criterion-referenced: you are measured against a fixed standard, not graded on a curve.
The 25 pretest questions are mixed in with the scored questions and look exactly the same. They do not count toward your score, but you cannot tell which ones they are, so give every question your full effort.
You see your result right after the exam, and it is also posted to your NCCT account. If you do not pass, your score report shows the percentage you answered correctly in each content area, which tells you exactly where to focus before a retake.
What Kinds of Questions to Expect
About 92% of the questions are standard multiple-choice items with four answer choices and one best answer. About 8% are alternative item types:
A printed guide cannot reproduce these on-screen formats, so this guide's practice tests use four-option single-best-answer items. The knowledge tested is the same: if you know the order of draw, you can drag the tubes into order.
Across all formats, expect clinic scenarios ("What should the medical assistant do first?"), procedure questions about steps, sites and fixing errors, calculations, law and safety questions, and straightforward knowledge questions on terms, drug classes and normal ranges.
Many wrong answers sound helpful but have the medical assistant diagnose, interpret a result, change an order or skip identification or hand hygiene. The right answer stays within scope and protects the patient.
Eligibility and Certification
Every candidate needs a US high school diploma or equivalent (or an evaluated foreign equivalent) plus one of the following routes. Education or experience must be less than five years old.
- Current high school or postsecondary student (including Registered Apprenticeships) in an NCCT-authorized medical assistant program, with completion documents sent within two years.
- Graduate of an NCCT-authorized medical assistant program within the last five years.
- One year (2,080 hours) of full-time, verifiable medical assistant work within the last five years under a licensed physician or primary care provider, documented by your employer on the Qualification by Experience form.
- Medical assistant training during US military service within the last five years, documented with a military transcript or DD214.
- Instructor route: one year of current medical assistant teaching at an NCCT-authorized organization plus one year of medical assistant work.
Apply through your NCCT account at least 14 days before the date you want to test. NCCT processes applications and documents in about 3 to 5 business days, and applications and fees are valid for one year. Testing at a site is arranged through the site or with NCCT.
Bring a valid, government-issued, non-military photo ID with a name that matches your application; current high school students may use a school ID. Expired IDs, copies or photos of IDs and work IDs are not accepted. Arrive at least 15 minutes early; a candidate who arrives late must reschedule. Remote testing requires a desk and chair in a space where you are alone, a computer with a front camera and microphone, a phone or tablet used as a 360-degree camera, and an internet connection of at least 3 Mbps; no breaks are allowed once the exam starts. The exam is given in English only. Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act are requested on the application, with the required forms sent at least two weeks before the test date.
| Situation | NCCT Policy |
|---|---|
| Reschedule | Contact NCCT at least 14 days before the appointment; $25 fee |
| Remote reschedule within 5 days of the exam | $25 fee plus the $44 remote fee ($69) |
| Withdrawal | Within 3 business days after NCCT receives the application: exam fee refunded minus a $39 administrative fee |
| Remote and reschedule fees | Non-refundable |
The NCMA credential is renewed every year by completing 12 contact hours of continuing education and paying the recertification fee (currently $89 for one NCCT credential). Missing the renewal date makes the credential inactive; after five missed years it becomes invalid and the exam must be taken again.
Retakes
If you do not pass, you may retake the exam after a waiting period:
Use the content-area percentages on your score report to choose which sections of this guide to review before you test again.
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