^{Originally published July 30, 2022
Updated May 18, 2026}

Certified for the first time or recently recertified? Congratulations on being a CMA (AAMA)^®! We are thrilled to have you join (or rejoin) the Certifying Board of the AAMA in setting the bar for excellence in medical assisting. Medical assistants have one of the most varied skill sets of any allied health care worker. With the ability to perform clinical and administrative tasks, CMAs (AAMA) are a tremendous asset to any medical setting. Thus, we want to provide tools to set you up for the utmost success, particularly if you’re new to being a CMA (AAMA).

Maintain Your Credential

CMAs (AAMA) must recertify every 60 months to maintain their credential, better ensuring continuing competency and knowledge and thus better protecting patients.

If you plan to recertify by continuing education, you can start earning CEUs right away. A total of 60 recertification points is necessary to recertify the CMA (AAMA) credential, so it’s never too early to start filling out your AAMA transcript. With the significant discounts members have on CEUs through the e-Learning Center and a full list of CEU ideas on the “Find CEUs” webpage, there’s no reason to lose sight of your career development!

You can also recertify by retaking the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. Need a refresher? The AAMA has your back with study resources.

Resources and Opportunities for CMAs (AAMA)

Becoming a CMA (AAMA) means you have a support system. The AAMA offers a wealth of resources that aid your career. Here are just a few:

• AAMA Annual Conference. Apart from a nice change in scenery, the AAMA Annual Conference hosts several CEU sessions and allows you to speak with the leading professionals in the medical assisting industry. Don’t let this chance for networking and learning pass you by.
• Mixing and Mingling. Local and state events and programs allow you to connect with colleagues. You can build lasting friendships by making conversation or even emailing speakers after watching their presentations at events. Find opportunities via the AAMA Facebook Events page.
• Volunteer Opportunities. You can volunteer for all sorts of leadership positions. By volunteering at the AAMA, you help pave the way for the profession, boost your résumé, and impress future and current employers.
• Credential Verification. We protect your future by verifying your CMA (AAMA) certification status for anyone (e.g., employers) that requests it. Our service aids your ease in securing employment and proving that you’re certified at a moment’s notice.

Benefits of Being a CMA (AAMA)

CMAs (AAMA) reap many benefits that non-certified medical assistants cannot. Here are some of the best things to take advantage of now that you have your certification:

• Compensation for Your Expertise. CMAs (AAMA) often receive higher compensation than non-CMAs (AAMA). It never hurts to make a bit more for your expertise!
• Continuing Education Opportunities. The AAMA makes it easy for you to stay on top of the medical assisting profession. Recertification points are available through the e-Learning Center, Medical Assisting Today CEU articles, AAMA Annual Conference sessions, and more.
• National Recognition. The CMA (AAMA) credential represents a medical assistant who is credentialed through the Certifying Board (CB) of the AAMA. The CB and its CMA (AAMA) Certification Program is accredited under the National Commission for Certifying Agencies Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
• College-Level Medical Assisting Education. CMAs (AAMA) are set apart from their non-certified peers for many reasons, one being that they are some of the best educated in their field. The CMA (AAMA) is the only medical assisting certification that requires college-level education. This requirement is the foundation for CMAs (AAMA) to prove their excellence as allied health care workers and find success in their work.
• Good Reputation. CMA (AAMA) certification proves to employers that your knowledge is both extensive and current since you received the highest achievement in credentialing and education in the medical assisting field. The rigor of the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam demonstrates that CMAs (AAMA) possess an understanding of general, administrative, and clinical knowledge as detailed in the Content Outline for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. Additionally, CMAs (AAMA) must recertify every 60 months by completing continuing education requirements or retaking the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. The commitment to recertification and staying current on medical assisting topics shows passion for providing safe and high-quality patient care.
• High Demand. Several factors contribute to the increasing demand for CMAs (AAMA):
  • Legal issues
  • Managed care pressures
  • State and federal laws
    
• Digital Badges. The Certifying Board of the AAMA offers its CMAs (AAMA) digital badging as a secure method of acknowledging their excellence in the field and recognizing achievements. Digital badges are easily shared in professional and social networking environments with just one click. The digital badges may be added to social media, email signatures, and more.

Benefits of Becoming a Member

If you want to take your career—and certification—to the next level, consider membership with the AAMA. While all CMAs (AAMA) benefit from the association, AAMA members gain access to more discounts, advice, and opportunities:

• Boosted Employment Options. People land around 60% of jobs through networking alone. Through AAMA involvement, you meet other medical assistants working in the profession. Your professional circle broadens your options when job hunting.
• Medical Assisting Today Subscription. AAMA members receive complimentary subscriptions to Medical Assisting Today, a magazine devoted to the medical assisting profession. With six issues per year, the educational and informative opportunities through reading Medical Assisting Today are plentiful. Reading Medical Assisting Today also helps you recertify with continuing education articles that you may complete for AAMA CEUs.
• Major Discounts. When you become an AAMA member, you are eligible for savings:
  • Save 50% on self-study courses.
  • Save 30% to 50% on all e-Learning Center courses. Further, some courses are free for a limited time for AAMA members.
  • Save $65 (by continuing education) or $125 (by exam) to recertify your CMA (AAMA) credential.
  • Save on attending the AAMA Annual Conference, where you can earn more AAMA CEUs.

As you can see, becoming a CMA (AAMA) was a great decision! At the AAMA, we will continue supporting you in setting the bar for excellence in medical assisting. With the innumerable benefits and resources provided by the AAMA, we hope you always feel supported in your career.