Side by side
| CMA (AAMA) | CCMA (NHA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | CAAHEP/ABHES-accredited program graduates (plus limited alternative pathway) | Any MA training program in last 5 years, or 1 year supervised work |
| Questions | 200 (180 scored) | 180 (150 scored) |
| Time | 160 minutes | 3 hours |
| Fee | $125 members / $250 nonmembers | Listed in NHA shop |
| Passing | Set by AAMA Certifying Board | Scaled 390 (200-500) |
| Retakes | 6 attempts in 12 months | 3 attempts, 30 days apart |
| Renewal | Every 60 months (CE or exam) | Every 2 years, 10 CE credits |
| Content emphasis | Clinical 59%, general 21%, administrative 20% | Clinical Patient Care 84 of 150 items |
Prep course - emailed to you
HealthCert Prep All-Access Course (90 days)
$19 one-time, 90 days
- 1,297 original questions: CNA, PTCB, CCMA
- Timed full-length exams + domain score reports
- 90 days, one-time - emailed to you after purchase
Get the prep course - $19
Your course access is emailed to you after purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy
Which should you take?
- Graduated from an accredited program? Either works; CMA (AAMA) is often named in job postings and some state scope rules.
- Trained on the job or in a non-accredited program? The CCMA’s work-experience pathway is likely your route.
- Can you hold both? Yes - they are independent credentials.
Next
CNA, PTCB and CCMA prep course - $19
1,297 original practice questions for CNA, PTCB and CCMA, with explanations, timed exams and domain score reports. One-time $19 for 90 days, emailed to you after purchase - no subscription.
Your course access is emailed to you after purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy
Frequently asked questions
Is CMA or CCMA better?
Neither is universally better. CMA (AAMA) needs an accredited program; CCMA is more accessible and renews more often.
Can I get CMA with work experience only?
Generally no - CMA (AAMA) eligibility centers on accredited program graduation. CCMA accepts supervised work experience.
Sources
- AAMA - CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam Application and Policies (accessed 2026-09-23)
- AAMA - CMA (AAMA) Exam Content Outline (rev. 1/26) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NHA - CCMA Test Plan (2022 job analysis) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NHA - Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NHA - Candidate Handbook (accessed 2026-09-23)