AAMA Maintenance and Reaccreditation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization is solely responsible for administering and overseeing the CMA (AAMA) certification and recertification program?
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) (Correct answer)
- National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
Correct answer: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
The AAMA is the only organization that awards and oversees the CMA (AAMA) credential and its recertification requirements.
Question 2: A CMA (AAMA) earns CEUs through an AAMA-approved online self-study program. Under which category do these credits fall?
- Category 1: Academic Education
- Category 2: Approved Continuing Education Programs
- Category 3: Professional Activities
- Category 4: Self-Study Programs (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Category 4: Self-Study Programs
AAMA-approved online self-study programs are classified under Category 4 (Self-Study Programs) for recertification CEUs.
Question 3: What happens to a CMA (AAMA) credential if the recertification application and documentation are not submitted before the expiration date?
- A 90-day grace period is automatically granted
- The credential expires and cannot be used until reinstated by re-examination (Correct answer)
- The AAMA places the credential on probationary status for one year
- The credential is permanently revoked
Correct answer: The credential expires and cannot be used until reinstated by re-examination
Without timely recertification, the CMA (AAMA) credential lapses and the individual must pass the exam again to regain it.
Question 4: Which of the following professional activities earns a CMA (AAMA) Category 3 CEU credit?
- Completing an accredited medical assisting course
- Publishing an article in an AAMA-recognized publication (Correct answer)
- Attending a non-AAMA approved health fair
- Reading a textbook independently
Correct answer: Publishing an article in an AAMA-recognized publication
Publishing an article in an AAMA-recognized professional publication qualifies for Category 3 Professional Activities CEU credit.
Question 5: Which of the following statements about the CMA (AAMA) recertification by examination is CORRECT?
- It is only available to CMAs whose credentials have been lapsed for more than five years
- It is available as an alternative to the CEU pathway at any time during the cycle
- It is the only pathway available once a credential has lapsed (Correct answer)
- It requires a physician sponsor to apply
Correct answer: It is the only pathway available once a credential has lapsed
Re-examination is the only recertification pathway available after a credential has lapsed; CEUs cannot reinstate a lapsed credential.
Question 6: How does the AAMA define one continuing education unit (CEU) in the context of CMA (AAMA) recertification?
- One hour of approved continuing education participation (Correct answer)
- One semester credit hour at an accredited college
- Ten hours of approved instruction
- One completed self-study module regardless of length
Correct answer: One hour of approved continuing education participation
For AAMA recertification purposes, one CEU equals one hour of participation in an approved continuing education activity.
Question 7: A CMA (AAMA) serves as an instructor teaching a medical assisting course at an accredited program. Under which CEU category is this credited?
- Category 1: Academic Education
- Category 2: Approved Continuing Education Programs
- Category 3: Professional Activities (Correct answer)
- Category 4: Self-Study Programs
Correct answer: Category 3: Professional Activities
Teaching or instructing in an accredited medical assisting program is a professional activity credited under Category 3.
AAMA Maintenance and Reaccreditation 3
Which organization is solely responsible for administering and overseeing the CMA (AAMA) certification and recertification program?