CCMA Exam Preparation Checklist - Tips, Resources, and Steps

Sep 29, 2026

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CCMA Exam Preparation Checklist provides a structured, step-by-step guide for pursuing and passing the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. It explains eligibility requirements, application workflow, exam cost and multiple-choice format, the 7 knowledge domains with their weightings, scoring and recertification timelines, and practical study preparation methods. The checklist also covers official NHA study tools, online portals, course-specific quizzes, study groups, and supplemental learning resources to support exam readiness.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

What Is the CCMA Exam?

How to Prepare: Study Materials & Resources

Making a Plan

CCMA Certification from Advanced eClinical Training

Exam Day Prep

After the Exam

CCMA EXAM PREPARATION CHECKLIST Tips, Resources, and Steps For Passing the NHA Certification Exam & Becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 Introduction 07 Making a Plan 12 CCMA Certification from Advanced eClinical Training 04 What Is the CCMA Exam? 10 Exam Day Prep 05 How to Prepare: Study Materials & Resources 11 After the Exam INTRODUCTION Becoming a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) is a great way to begin a rewarding career in healthcare. This widely recognized certification, awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), is designed to show potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform both clinical and administrative tasks in medical settings. But before you can claim this credential, you’ll need to take —and pass —the CCMA exam. Whether you’re just beginning to explore the certification process or are at a point in your career journey where your next step is to take the exam, this resource is here to help. Inside, you’ll find a comprehensive checklist that covers everything you need to know and do to prepare for the test, from study materials to exam day tips. WHAT IS THE CCMA EXAM? The CCMA exam is the final step on the path to earning your certification. To be eligible to sit for the test, you must meet one of the following criteria: Have a high school diploma or GED (or plan to receive one in the next 12 months) and have completed a medical assistant training program within the past 5 years Or have a high school diploma or GED and: • 1 year of supervised work experience in the medical assisting field within the last 3 years, or • 2 years of supervised work experience in the medical assisting field within the last 5 years Once eligible, independent test takers will need to apply to take the exam through the NHA website. If you’re enrolled in Advanced eClinical’s online medical assistant training program, you’ll be automatically registered for the exam upon successful completion of the course. Exam Costs & Format The cost to take the CCMA exam is $165. That said, Advanced eClinical students are able to take the exam for no additional cost. The test itself consists of 180 multiplechoice questions, including 30 “pretest”questions that don’t count toward your final score. These questions are randomly spread throughout the 3-hour exam, meaning that you won’t know which ones they are. In terms of subject matter, the CCMA exam quizzes test takers on 7 key areas of knowledge, also referred to as “domains.”These are: • Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science (makes up 10% of the exam) • Anatomy and Physiology (5% of the exam) • Clinical Patient Care (56%) • Patient Care Coordination and Education (8%) • Administrative Assisting (8%) • Communication and Customer Service (8%) • Medical Law and Ethics (5%) Scoring & Recertification When you take the exam online, your results will be available in your NHA account within 2 days of scoring. To pass, you’ll need a scaled score of 390, which equates to correctly answering roughly 78% of the questions. Once you’re certified, you’ll need to recertify every 2 years to maintain your credentials. CCMA Exam Preparation Checklist 4 HOW TO PREPARE: STUDY MATERIALS & RESOURCES There’s a lot riding on this test, so it’s understandable that preparing for the CCMA exam can feel overwhelming. But with the right resources and study plan, you’ll be well-equipped to pass with flying colors. Here are some tools and strategies you can use to get ready: 01 Official NHA Study Guides & Practice Tests The NHA offers several official study guides and practice exams for a fee. These materials provide a thorough review of the exam topics and enable you to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter on test day. Alternatively, you can review the CCMA Test Plan, which “provides both a summary and detailed outlin

FAQs

What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the CCMA exam?

Eligibility includes having a high school diploma or GED and completing a medical assistant training program within the past 5 years, or having high school diploma/GED plus supervised work experience in the medical assisting field within specified time windows.

How much does the CCMA exam cost, and what is the exam format?

The exam costs $165, and Advanced eClinical students can take it with no additional cost. It includes 180 multiple-choice questions, including 30 pretest questions that do not count, delivered over a 3-hour exam.

What score is needed to pass and how often is recertification required?

To pass, a scaled score of 390 is required, which corresponds to correctly answering roughly 78% of questions. Recertification is required every 2 years to maintain credentials.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by vwvw