Why ScopeNotes?

Welcome to ScopeNotes. Our goal is to provide the most diverse, engaging, and informative online certification exam preparation experience. We have 4 test prep options depending on your individual career plans that include: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). We pride ourselves on having more questions than any other test prep (2,600+ and growing) for you to practice as many times as you need. All of our questions are developed by a team of Subject Matter Experts in the medical industry, and are reviewed by an item writing expert to ensure our content matches the actual certification experience.

Our innovative learning management system helps you track your progress as you work through an unlimited number of practice exams, over 2,600 flashcards, review courses, as well as simulated timed exams. Each of the 4 exams content matches the categorical breakdown of the real exam, so you become acclimated to the structure. Our convenient shopping cart allows for the purchase of various packages to meet your study/prep needs.

The ScopeNotes Difference

After reading this guide, we hope you’ve determined which test makes the most sense for you in terms of eligibility, content, and recertification requirements. Once you’ve decided on a test, we encourage you to take a look at the comprehensive study guides we’ve put together for each.

When it comes to standardized testing, though, experts agree there’s one strategy that will increase your score better than any other: practice tests. Regardless of which test you opt to take, you’ll want to take as many practice tests as possible before test day. ScopeNotes offers the largest collection of practice tests in the industry for all four exam options. Here’s what makes ScopeNotes your best choice:

Thousands of
practice questions

Regardless of which test you choose, we offer more than 2,500 individual practice questions. That’s hundreds (even thousands) more than other companies.

No limited on
practice testing

When preparing for one of these exams, there’s one simple rule that holds true: the more practice tests you take, the better your score will be. That’s why ScopeNotes offers unlimited testing options: take as many practice exams as you like.

Animated
review courses

Going through review course material can be challenging. It’s hard to stay focused and motivated. We understand this, and that’s why we’ve created animated review courses. They’re designed to keep your attention, which will lead to be results.

Custom practice
test content

Every student is different. There will be certain topics that come easy for you, and testing yourself on them repeatedly would be a waste of time. Similarly, there will be certain subject areas that are more difficult for you, and you’ll want to spend more time on those. With ScopeNotes, you don’t have to worry about which sections you should focus on. Why? Because we’ve made our practice tests adaptive: our content is customized for you based on your performance. This means that you’ll gradually strengthen your weakest areas over time, without having to worry about whether you’re studying the right material.

Mobile and
tablet compatible

We believe you should be able to study anytime, anywhere you like. That’s why we’ve made ScopeNotes compatible with mobile phones and tablets. Take your practice tests with you on the go, and fit in study time when it’s convenient for you.

Affordable
pricing

At ScopeNotes, we’re proud of the fact that we offer top quality practice test resources. But, we also understand how important pricing is for many of our customers. That’s why we’ve worked hard to make ScopeNotes affordable. Our plans start at just $39: click here to get started.

You’ve been through many months of school, and you’ve received a top-quality education in medical assisting. You’re ready to embark on an exciting and rewarding career as a member of the allied health field. There’s just one problem: you’re not sure which industry certification is right for you.

With so many options for becoming a certified medical assistant, this problem is more common than you might think. Since there’s no singular governing body that determines which test is the preferred option, it’s often left up to you to decide which path to choose. With so many potential exams and certifications out there, the choice can be overwhelming.

That why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through the in’s and out’s of the top four medical assistant certification exams:

  • The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam
  • The National Medical Technologists (NMT) Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Exam
  • The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Exam
  • The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) Exam

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a sense of which test is the right choice for you. And, once you’ve decided on a test, you can start studying! ScopeNotes offers the best test prep in the industry.

The AAMA CMA Exam

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) administers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. The AAMA is a nonprofit organization, and they’re focused strictly on medical assistants, unlike the other organizations and tests outlined below.

In order to be eligible to sit for the CMA test, you’ll need to have graduated from a medical assistant program with accreditation from either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Additionally, your program needs to have included at least 160 hours of practicum.

Recertification can happen one of two ways. First, you can opt to document a minimum of 60 Continuing Education units, including 10 Clinical, 10 Administrative, and 10 General units. Or, if you prefer, you can simply retake the CMA exam. Certification is good for five years (60 months). To learn more, take a look at the AAMA website.

The exam itself contains 180 scored multiple choice questions, along with 20 unscored pre-test questions. You’re allotted 160 minutes to take the test, in four individual segments of 40 minutes each. The test is comprised of three sections: Clinical, Administration, and General.

The AMT RMA Exam

The Registered Medical Assistant exam is offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Founded in 1939, the AMT is similar to the AAMA in that it’s also a nonprofit organization. However, unlike the AAMA, they don’t focus strictly on medical assistant certification. Rather, they also provide certification testing and credentials to a variety of occupations in the field of allied health.

The RMA exam offers the largest number of potential pathways to testing. First, if you’ve 1) graduated from a program that’s accredited by either the CAAHEP or ABHES; or, 2) if you’ve completed a program offered at a college or other post-secondary institution that holds U.S. Department of Education accreditation (and which involved at least 720 clocked hours, including 160 or more externship hours), then you’re eligible to take the RMA test. You can also sit for the RMA exam if you’ve worked as a medical assistant for a minimum of five years. A maximum of two of these years can have involved being an instructor. Finally, if you’ve passed another exam provided by an AMT-approved organization, and you’ve worked as a medical assistant for at least three out of the last five years, then you can sit for the test.

Recertification involves keeping up with what are called the AMT Certification Continuation Program (requirements) every three years. This involves obtaining at least 30 Continuing Education units. For more information about recertification with the AMT, click here.

Like the AAMA CMA exam, the RMA test is comprised of three sections: General, Administrative, and Clinical. There are 210 questions in total, and test takers are given four 40 minute timed sessions.

The NHA CCMA Exam

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The NHA was established in 1989, and is a for-profit organization. This differentiates them from both the AAMA and AMT. However, the NHA is similar to the AMT (and different from the AAMA) in that they offer certification for a variety of allied health professions in addition to medical assistant certification.

Anyone who is 18 years or older, has a high school diploma (or an equivalent degree), and has either 1) worked as a medical assistant for one year (within the past year); or, 2) completed a medical assistant program in the past year, is eligible to sit for the test.

In order to maintain certification, you’ll need to complete 10 Continuing Education hours every two years. To learn more about recertification, click here.

The CCMA test is comprised of 150 scored questions, along with another 30 that are pre-test. Test takers are allotted three hours for testing. There are seven sections on the test: Medical Law and Ethics; Communication and Customer Service; Administrative Assisting; Patient Care Coordination and Education; Clinical Patient Care; Anatomy and Physiology; and Basic Science and Foundational Knowledge.

The NCCT NCMA Exam

The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam is provided by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Like the NHA, the NCCT is a for-profit organization. They provide certification for other allied health occupations in addition to medical assistants.

If you’ve obtained a high school diploma (or an equivalent certification) and have either 1) graduated from a medical assisting program in the last 10 years that’s approved by the NCCT; or, 2) have at least two years (or at least 4,160 hours) of qualifying employment as a medical assistant within the past 10 years, then you can sit for the NCMA test.

Recertification is annual, and requires at least 14 hours of Continuing Education yearly. To learn more about recertification, click here.

The NCMA exam contain 150 questions that are graded, along with 15 pre-test items. You have three hours within which you’re allowed to take the exam. There are eight individual categories on the NCMA exam: Medical Law and Medical Ethics; Medical Office Financial Management, Insurance, and Billing; ECG and Other Diagnostic Testing; Phlebotomy; Medical Procedures; Pharmacology; General Office Procedures; and Medical Office General Management.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Will I be able to use my mobile phone or tablet with this site?

Yes. ScopeNotes is mobile responsive, enabling you to effectively use the practice quizzes and exam simulator on your mobile device. If you experience any audio/visual technical issues, we recommend using the latest version of Firefox or Google Chrome.

How do I apply for the CMA exam?

To determine qualification for the CMA (AAMA) certification or recertification you must meet one of the three categories listed at http://www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/application-steps/eligibility . Please note fees and steps needed prior to application. To apply for the CMA, visit http://www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/apply . Please note applicable fees, tips and instructions.

How do I apply for the RMA exam?

To confirm eligibility and requirements for the RMA (AMT) certification or recertification please visit https://www.americanmedtech.org/Get-Certified/RMA-Eligibility#133024-route-1-education to view the list of acceptable prerequisites. To apply for the RMA, visit https://www.americanmedtech.org/Get-Certified#177228-apply-online . Please note applicable fees, tips and instructions.

How do I apply for the CCMA exam?

To confirm eligibility and requirements for the CCMA (NHA) certification or recertification, please visit https://www.nhanow.com/certifications/clinical-medical-assistant . Included on this page are a series of steps to assist you in determining your eligibility, setting up your NHA account and applying for your exam. Students must set up an account with NHA in order to access the exam application. Please note applicable fees, tips and instructions.

How do I apply for the NCMA exam?

To confirm eligibility and requirements for the NCMA (NCCT) certification or recertification please visit https://www.ncctinc.com/certifications/MA.aspx. To determine the examination fees based on various route plans visit https://www.ncctinc.com/documents/ExamFees.pdf. For recertification please visit https://www.ncctinc.com/CE/ . Students must create an account with the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To apply for the exam, visit https://www.ncctinc.com/Certifications/ApplyMA.aspx. Please note all applicable fees, tips and instructions. Contact NCCT 800-875-4404 for additional information if needed.

Our Guarantee

By committing to a test prep such as ScopeNotes, we guarantee that you will be better prepared to pass the certification exam for Medical Assistants. As a matter of fact, should you not pass the exam, we will extend your subscription until you do. Simply contact us after your exam to discuss a plan for your success.

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