The exam
NHA CCMA exam
Format, content areas and how the medical assistant certifications compare.
About the exam
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Scored items | 150 |
| Unscored pretest items | 30 |
| Time allowed | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Passing scaled score | 390 (scale 200-500) |
Figures are from NHA's CCMA test plan and candidate handbook. The simulator is practice material and is not the official exam. Confirm current details with NHA. NHA website.
Content areas
| Domain | Items |
|---|---|
| Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science | 15 items |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 items |
| Clinical Patient Care | 84 items |
| Patient Care Coordination and Education | 12 items |
| Administrative Assisting | 12 items |
| Communication and Customer Service | 12 items |
| Medical Law and Ethics | 7 items |
Study categories in the question bank
- Clinical Patient Care
- Phlebotomy
- EKG & Cardiovascular
- Infection Control
- Pharmacology Basics
- Medical Office Admin
- Patient Prep & Vitals
- Safety & Emergency
- Medical Terminology
- Law & Ethics
Who certifies
The CCMA is issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Other certifications for medical assistants have their own issuers:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
- Certified EKG Technician (CET)
- Patient Care Technician (PCT)
- Medical Office Assistant (MOA)
Compare certifications
| Certification | Issuer | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | Set by NHA; see your NHA account at registration | 2 years from the issue date |
| Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) | AAMA — American Association of Medical Assistants | See the issuer for the current fee | See the issuer for the current certification period |
| Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) | AMT — American Medical Technologists | See the issuer for the current fee | See the issuer for the current certification period |
| National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) | NCCT — National Center for Competency Testing | See the issuer for the current fee | See the issuer for the current certification period |
| Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Certified EKG Technician (CET) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Patient Care Technician (PCT) | NHA — National Healthcareer Association | See the issuer for the current fee | 2 years from the issue date |
| Medical Office Assistant (MOA) | Various — community college and proprietary certificates | Varies by program | Non-certificate: no formal validity |
Costs and validity reflect each issuer's posted policy; verify with the issuer before you register.
The simulator in the app
Practise against a 180-minute clock that keeps running. You can change answers and flag questions until you finish, and review after you submit.
Practice onlyThe simulator is study material and is not the official exam.
7 days free, then $9.99/month. Cancel anytime.