Top 11 Medical Administrative Assistant Certifications

Certifications for medical administrative assistants are important because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill that employers can trust. They provide tangible evidence that a candidate has the skills necessary to perform the job well. Certification also signals that an individual is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends, regulations, and best practices. This helps employers make knowledgeable decisions about who to hire for their medical office staff. Additionally, certifications can help medical administrative assistants stand out from other candidates in a competitive job market.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Medical Administrative Assistants and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Medical Administrative Assistant Certifications?

Medical administrative assistant certification is a credential that is designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and skills related to performing medical administrative tasks. These tasks may include managing patient records, scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims, handling billing and coding information, processing payments, and other administrative duties. The certification is typically awarded by organizations such as the American Medical Association or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Having a medical administrative assistant certification can be beneficial for those who want to pursue a career in the field. It provides evidence of competency and can help individuals stand out from their peers when applying for jobs. Additionally, some employers may require that applicants have a current certification in order to be considered for certain positions. Furthermore, having this type of certification can lead to higher salaries or promotions within the organization. Finally, having a medical administrative assistant certification can help an individual stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices related to medical administration tasks.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a medical administrative assistant certification program, make sure the program is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation ensures that the program meets industry standards and provides access to resources and support from employers.

Related: What does a Medical Administrative Assistant do?

Top 11 Medical Administrative Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Medical Administrative Assistants today.

1. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide administrative support in a healthcare setting. The CMAA credential is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become certified, applicants must demonstrate their knowledge of medical terminology, coding, billing, insurance processing, electronic health records management and other administrative tasks. To earn the CMAA credential, applicants must pass an exam administered by NHA.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes about three hours to complete. It covers topics such as medical terminology, coding and billing processes, insurance processes, patient scheduling and registration processes, documentation requirements and more.

The cost for the CMAA exam is $125 for NHA members and $175 for non-members. Applicants can prepare for the exam by taking courses or studying on their own using study guides available through NHA.

2. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional who has been certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of electronic health records. This certification is designed for individuals who are responsible for managing, maintaining, and troubleshooting electronic health record systems.

The CEHRS certification requires candidates to complete an online exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as health information management, privacy and security, data standards and interoperability, workflow analysis, and system implementation. Candidates must also complete a 20-hour training program prior to taking the exam.

To become certified as a CEHRS, you must first register with the NHA and pay the $105 fee for registration and testing. Once you have registered, you can access the online study materials which include practice tests and other resources to help prepare for the exam. After completing your training program, you can schedule your exam at an authorized testing center or take it online through ProctorU.

The cost of becoming a CEHRS includes the $105 registration fee plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at an authorized testing center or through ProctorU. Depending on where you take your exam, this could range from $25-$75 per attempt.

3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification for medical office managers. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to manage a medical office in an effective and efficient manner. The certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

It takes approximately 6 months to complete the CMOM program. To get certified, you must first apply online and pay the application fee. Then you must take an online exam that covers topics such as patient privacy laws, billing procedures, coding systems, healthcare regulations, and more. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CMOM certificate.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on whether or not you are a member of AAPC. For non-members, the cost is $299 plus applicable taxes. For members, the cost is $199 plus applicable taxes.

4. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in medical coding. The CPC credential is the most widely recognized and sought-after certification for medical coding professionals.

The CPC exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes approximately five hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and Medicare regulations.

To become certified, candidates must first complete an AAPC approved course or training program in medical coding. After completing the training program, candidates must pass the CPC exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the CPC certification depends on whether you are an AAPC member or non-member. For AAPC members, it costs $399 for the exam plus $50 for each additional specialty exam if applicable. For non-members, it costs $499 for the exam plus $100 for each additional specialty exam if applicable.

5. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) is a professional who has been trained and certified to process medical claims for reimbursement from insurance companies, government programs, and other third-party payers. The CMRS certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

To become a Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist, an individual must first complete an AAPC-approved training program. These programs typically take between six months and one year to complete depending on the type of program chosen. After completing the training program, the individual must pass a rigorous exam administered by the AAPC in order to receive their certification.

The cost of becoming a CMRS varies depending on the type of training program chosen. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 or more depending on the length and quality of the program. Additionally, there is an annual fee associated with maintaining certification which ranges from $50-$100 per year.

Once certified, CMRSs are responsible for ensuring that medical claims are submitted correctly and that all necessary documentation is included in order to maximize reimbursement from insurance companies and other third-party payers. They also review medical records for accuracy and completeness before submitting them for payment.

6. Certified Professional Biller (CPB)

Certified Professional Biller (CPB) is a professional certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CPB credential recognizes those who have demonstrated expertise in medical billing and coding. This certification is designed to help healthcare professionals demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in medical billing and coding, as well as their commitment to the profession.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CPB program. To become certified, candidates must pass an exam that covers topics such as insurance regulations, coding systems, reimbursement methods, and more. Candidates must also meet certain educational requirements, including having at least two years of experience in medical billing or coding.

The cost for the CPB program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $400 to $1,000. This includes the cost of the exam and any additional materials needed for study.

7. Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE)

Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) is a credential offered by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). The CMPE certification is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of medical practice executives who have demonstrated excellence in their field. The CMPE credential is recognized as a mark of distinction among medical practice executives and can be used to demonstrate mastery of the core competencies required for successful practice management.

The CMPE credential requires passing an exam that covers topics such as financial management, operations, human resources, information systems, marketing and communications, legal and regulatory issues, and quality improvement. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in medical practice management or a related field.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CMPE exam. Candidates should plan to spend time studying the material covered on the exam and taking practice tests to ensure they are prepared.

To get certified as a CMPE, individuals must first apply for certification with ACMPE. This involves submitting an application form along with proof of experience in medical practice management or a related field. Once approved, candidates will receive an authorization letter which will allow them to register for the exam with Prometric Testing Centers.

The cost of becoming certified as a CMPE varies depending on whether you are applying through ACMPE or through another organization such as AAPC or PMI. For those applying through ACMPE, there is an initial fee of $395 plus an additional fee per test center visit ($125-$175 depending on location).

8. Certified Medical Manager (CMM)

Certified Medical Manager (CMM) is a professional certification program for medical office managers and other healthcare professionals. It is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The CMM credential demonstrates that an individual has achieved a level of expertise in managing medical offices, including knowledge of coding and billing, practice management, patient relations, and other related topics.

The CMM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. To qualify to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience as a medical office manager or supervisor.

To get the CMM certification, applicants must first register with AAPC and pay the $300 registration fee. Once registered, applicants can take the online practice exams to become familiar with the content areas covered on the exam. After passing the practice exams, applicants can then schedule their CMM exam with AAPC. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their CMM certificate in 4-6 weeks.

The cost for obtaining the Certified Medical Manager credential is $300 for registration plus an additional $200 for taking the exam.

9. Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)

Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in healthcare access management. The CHAA credential is intended to provide assurance that those who hold it possess the skills, abilities, and competencies necessary to effectively manage patient access services.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online application and a proctored exam. Applicants must submit an online application, which includes a resume, references, and a statement of purpose. Once the application has been approved, applicants can register for the exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

The cost for the CHAA certification program varies depending on whether you are an NAHAM member or non-member. For members, the cost is $250; for non-members, it is $350.

It typically takes 6-8 weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. If successful, you will receive your official CHAA certificate in 4-6 weeks after passing the exam.

10. Certified Medical Administrative Professional (CMAP)

Certified Medical Administrative Professional (CMAP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in medical office administration. It is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of medical administrative professionals, such as medical secretaries, receptionists, and billing clerks. The certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

It typically takes three months to complete the CMAP program. To get certified, applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements, including having at least one year of experience in a medical office setting. Then they must pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance claims processing, patient scheduling and recordkeeping.

The cost for the CMAP program varies depending on the type of training you choose. For example, if you opt for online self-study courses or an instructor-led course, it will cost around $400-$500. If you prefer to take an online proctored exam instead of attending a live class session or taking a practice test, it will cost around $200-$300.

Once you have completed all requirements and passed the exam, you will receive your official CMAP certificate from NHA within four weeks.

11. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

A Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional who specializes in the management of health information and data. RHITs are responsible for ensuring accuracy, privacy, security and quality of medical records. They analyze patient data for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with standards set by government agencies and accrediting organizations.

It typically takes two years to become an RHIT, though some programs may require up to four years of study. To become an RHIT, you must complete an accredited associate degree program in health information technology or a related field. The curriculum includes courses such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding systems, legal issues in healthcare administration, healthcare reimbursement systems, database management and computer applications.

To become certified as an RHIT you must pass the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification exam. This exam covers topics such as health data content and structure; health information systems; regulatory requirements; coding systems; and analysis of patient data. You can find more information about the exam on AHIMA’s website.

The cost to take the AHIMA certification exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking classes or studying for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For those who are looking to enter the medical administrative field, a certificate can be beneficial as it can provide them with a competitive edge in the job market. It may also help them to become more knowledgeable about the medical field, which could be useful for those who wish to pursue a career in medical administration.

However, for those who already have experience in the healthcare field or have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, a certificate may not be necessary. In addition, some employers may view certificates as merely an additional line on a resume rather than actual experience or skill set. Therefore, it is important to consider all options and decide what is best for each individual’s situation.

Related: Medical Administrative Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Medical Administrative Assistant Certifications

1. What is a medical administrative assistant certification?

Answer: A medical administrative assistant certification is a credential that demonstrates proficiency in the skills and knowledge needed to work as an administrative assistant in a healthcare setting. It is typically earned by completing a program, such as an associate’s degree or certificate program, and passing an exam.

2. What do medical administrative assistants do?

Answer: Medical administrative assistants are responsible for managing patient records, scheduling appointments, coordinating billing and insurance claims, answering phones, and performing other clerical tasks in support of healthcare providers.

3. How much does it cost to get certified?

Answer: The cost of certification depends on the type of program chosen; however, most programs range from $500-$5000 depending on length of study and type of institution offering the program.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The amount of time required to become certified depends on the specific program chosen; however, most programs can be completed within 6 months-2 years depending on credits earned per semester/quarter.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Most programs require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent before enrolling in the program; some may also require completion of certain courses prior to acceptance into the program as well as passing score on an entrance exam.