Medical assistants are allied health professional supporting the work of the physicians as well as other health professionals in various settings including clinics, ambulatory care facilities, and medical offices. They can be certified by going through an accredited program which is often offered by the junior or community college. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, their job is regarded as one among the nation’s quickest growing careers.
The initial step to become a vital member of a healthcare team is to take a medical assisting program through the traditional or online school. To have the eligibility of getting the best jobs as well as the highest pay, it is required to become certified by means of taking the Certified Medical Assistant exam which is being offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The 
eligibility requirements include the successful passing of the medical program which has an accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
The eligibility for medical assistant certification is classified into three categories:
Category 1 – This is for the completing student or a student who has recently graduated from a CAAHEP or ABHES medical assisting program. There is no documentation is needed. The program, including the practicum, should have verification from the program director to be able to get the official scores and the certification.
Category 2 – It is intended for the non-recent graduate of a CAAHEP or ABHES medical assisting program. The document required for this is the official transcript.
Category 3 – This is for the CMA (AAMA) re-certificant. No document is needed as long as there is the provision of the CMA (AAMA) certificate number and the most recent certification or re-certification date on the application.
Second, collect all the appropriate documentation for the eligibility category. Third, review all of the exam information as well as its policies. It is essential that you accept all the provisions under the “Applicant Agreement” upon submission of application. Fourth, decide the date which you desire to start the 90-day testing period. This will be the determining factor as to when you will be applying for the exam. Fifth, it is vital to monitor the e-mail. The email-address to be used must be valid for the following year. You need to add CMAExam@aama-ntl.org to your approved e-mail list. Be certain to check spam or junk e-mail folder for the CMA Exam e-mails.
Moving on, the sixth step is the application for the exam. This can be done online or by downloading the Handbook and completing the form. Seventh, the contact information needed to be updated that is why it is vital to make name, e-mail, and postal address changes on a timely basis. Eighth, schedule your exam right away following the printing of your Scheduling Permit. Ninth, do preparations for the exam and include reviewing the test center scheduling and policies. Tenth, complete the exam and wait for a pass or fail notification at the test center. The exam status and scores can be reviewed at My Certification Information.
The last two steps is to wait for the official exam scores which you will receive within 10 weeks from your exam date and to wait for the certificate and wallet card after passing the exam which you will get at about 10 weeks after receiving the official scores.