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Exam Overview
Exam Overview
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam is a nationally recognized certification administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Earning this credential demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required to perform clinical and administrative tasks in today’s fast-paced healthcare environments.
Purpose of the Exam
The CCMA exam is designed to assess the competency of entry-level clinical medical assistants. Certification ensures that you are prepared to:
- Support physicians and nurses in clinical settings
- Deliver safe and effective patient care
- Perform administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and documentation
- Uphold ethical and legal standards in healthcare
Exam Pattern and Format
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Administered By | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) |
| Delivery | Computer-based at an approved school, a PSI test center, or by live remote proctoring |
| Total Questions | 180 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 30 unscored pretest) |
| Answer Choices | Four options per question, one best answer |
| Time Limit | 3 hours |
| Scoring | Scaled score from 200 to 500; 390 or higher to pass |
| Results | Within 48 hours for test-center and remote exams |
| Retakes | Up to 3 attempts, 30 days apart; then a one-year wait |
| Renewal | Every 2 years with at least 10 continuing education credits |
Core Content Areas
The exam content is divided into 7 major sections:
| Domain | Scored Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science | 15 | 10% |
| 2. Anatomy and Physiology | 8 | 5% |
| 3. Clinical Patient Care | 84 | 56% |
| 4. Patient Care Coordination and Education | 12 | 8% |
| 5. Administrative Assisting | 12 | 8% |
| 6. Communication and Customer Service | 12 | 8% |
| 7. Medical Law and Ethics | 7 | 5% |
| Subdomain | Scored Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 3A. Patient Intake and Vitals | 14 | 9% |
| 3B. General Patient Care | 28 | 19% |
| 3C. Infection Control and Safety | 15 | 10% |
| 3D. Point-of-Care Testing and Laboratory Procedures | 9 | 6% |
| 3E. Phlebotomy | 12 | 8% |
| 3F. EKG and Cardiovascular Testing | 6 | 4% |
Exam Tip
More than half of the scored items come from Clinical Patient Care, and General Patient Care alone is nearly one item in five. Give that section the largest share of your study time.Importance of Certification
Becoming certified as a CCMA offers several benefits:
- Increases employability and job readiness
- Validates your professional skills to employers
- May lead to better job security and higher earnings
- Builds confidence in your clinical and administrative abilities
- Meets employer and regulatory requirements in many states
Who Should Take This Exam?
- Graduates of medical assisting training programs
- Healthcare professionals seeking formal recognition
- On-the-job trained assistants looking for national certification
- Military medics transitioning to civilian healthcare roles
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