AAMA Credentialing Details 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many years of work experience as a medical assistant are required to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam without a formal MA program?
- There is no work experience pathway — accredited education is required (Correct answer)
- 2 years of full-time experience
- 5 years of part-time experience
- 1 year under physician supervision
Correct answer: There is no work experience pathway — accredited education is required
The CMA (AAMA) exam requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited MA program; there is no work experience substitute.
Question 2: Which accrediting bodies' programs make graduates eligible to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam?
- CAAHEP and ABHES (Correct answer)
- ACEN and CCNE
- JCAHO and AAAHC
- NLN and ACME
Correct answer: CAAHEP and ABHES
Graduates of programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES meet the educational prerequisite for the CMA (AAMA) exam.
Question 3: What is the maximum number of times a candidate may retake the CMA (AAMA) exam within a single eligibility period?
- 3 times total within the eligibility window (Correct answer)
- Unlimited retakes
- 2 times after the initial attempt
- 1 retake only
Correct answer: 3 times total within the eligibility window
AAMA policy allows up to three total attempts (initial plus two retakes) within one eligibility period.
Question 4: A CMA (AAMA) who fails to recertify within the required 5-year cycle must do which of the following to regain the credential?
- Retake and pass the CMA (AAMA) certification exam (Correct answer)
- Complete 20 additional CEUs
- Petition the AAMA board for reinstatement
- Repeat their medical assisting program
Correct answer: Retake and pass the CMA (AAMA) certification exam
CMAs who lapse beyond their recertification deadline must retake the examination to restore their credential.
Question 5: Which of the following categories of continuing education units (CEUs) is required every recertification cycle for a CMA (AAMA)?
- General, Administrative, and Clinical categories (Correct answer)
- Pharmacology and Pathophysiology only
- Ethics and Law only
- Any 60 hours from any source
Correct answer: General, Administrative, and Clinical categories
The AAMA requires CEUs spread across General, Administrative, and Clinical content areas during each 5-year cycle.
Question 6: The CMA (AAMA) credential belongs to which type of credentialing category?
- Certification (Correct answer)
- Licensure
- Registration
- Accreditation
Correct answer: Certification
Certification is a voluntary credential granted by a professional organization (AAMA) after meeting competency standards.
Question 7: When must a CMA (AAMA) notify the AAMA of a name or address change?
- Within 60 days of the change (Correct answer)
- At the next recertification renewal
- Only if the state requires it
- Name changes are not tracked by AAMA
Correct answer: Within 60 days of the change
The AAMA requires CMAs to report name or address changes within 60 days to keep certification records current.
AAMA Credentialing Details 2
How many years of work experience as a medical assistant are required to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam without a formal MA program?