^{Originally published April 29, 2023
Updated May 20, 2026}

Are you planning to recertify your CMA (AAMA)^® credential for the first time? Or do you know someone in that situation?

Good news! A policy from the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants^® (AAMA) allows anyone recertifying for the first time to apply a limited number of recertification points earned prior to their initial certification toward their first time recertifying!

Initial certificants may apply a maximum of 20 recertification points (AAMA-approved points or non-AAMA-approved points) earned in the three months prior to initial certification toward recertification. However, course credits earned and required for graduation from a medical assisting program may not be used towards initial recertification.

Reference the  CMA (AAMA) Recertification by Continuing Education Application for the requirements that points must follow to qualify for non-AAMA-approved points.

Also note that other recertification policies remain in effect. For example, 30 of the 60 recertification points must still be AAMA-approved CEUs, and at least 10 recertification points must be from each of the general, administrative, and clinical categories.

The policy change applies only to CMAs (AAMA) recertifying for the first time.  It does not apply to those CMAs (AAMA) who have recertified previously.