CCMA Exam information
What it is, what's tested, and how it's scored.
CCMA exam details
Clinical medical assistants can be found in a variety of medical settings, performing diverse tasks such as taking vital signs, assisting providers with exams and procedures, and administering medication. They are often the first and final people patients interact with, and can make a huge difference in the patient's overall experience. Becoming certified as a medical assistant will help you meet employment requirements, maximize earning potential, and enhance your knowledge and skills.
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) administers the CCMA exam for medical assistants interested in working in clinical settings, including hospitals, doctors' offices, and anywhere where medical professionals provide direct patient care.
The CCMA exam is hosted by National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and costs $165 to register. Participants have 3 hours to answer 150 scored + 30 unscored multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 390 (on a scale of 200-500).
Time
3 hours
Format
150 scored + 30 unscored multiple-choice questions
Exam fee
$165
Passing score
390 (on a scale of 200-500)
CCMA requirements
All CCMAs must have a valid high school diploma or equivalent. There are two paths to CCMA eligibility:
Complete a medical assistant training or education program
Complete one year of supervised work experience in a medical assisting field in the last three years, or complete two years of supervised work experience within the last five years
If you decide to enroll in a training program, you can do so before obtaining your high school degree or GED, though you will need to prove that you are scheduled to earn your degree within a year of starting the course.
CCMA exam summary
Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science
10%
15 questions
Covers healthcare systems and settings, medical terminology, basic pharmacology, nutrition, and psychology.
Anatomy and Physiology
5%
8 questions
Assesses knowledge of body structures, organ systems, pathophysiology, and disease processes (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc.).
Clinical Patient Care: Patient Intake and Vitals
9%
14 questions
Focuses on patient safety, identification, vital sign measurement, and reporting abnormalities.
Clinical Patient Care: General Patient Care
19%
28 questions
Tests knowledge of room preparation protocols, maintaining a sterile field, preparing patients for procedures, medicine administration, various treatments and interventions, wound care, first aid, and electronic medical reporting.
Clinical Patient Care: Infection Control and Safety
10%
15 questions
Covers safety guidelines, disinfection and sterilization, biohazardous material disposal, and post-exposure guidelines.
Clinical Patient Care: Point of Care Testing and Laboratory Procedures
6%
9 questions
Focuses on how to collect non-blood specimens, CLIA-waved testing, examinations, documenting laboratory and test values, and spotting testing errors.
Clinical Patient Care: Phlebotomy
8%
12 questions
Assesses knowledge of phlebotomy procedures, order detail verification, supplies, venipuncture and capillary puncture, postprocedural care, and processing blood samples.
Clinical Patient Care: EKG and Cardiovascular Testing
4%
6 questions
Covers patient preparation, performing EKG tests and recognizing abnormal results, ambulatory cardiac monitoring, transmitting results and records, and proper function and storage of equipment.
Patient Care Coordination and Education
8%
12 questions
Explores patient records review, documentation, timelines, coordination with healthcare providers and patients, barriers to care, and other aspects of patient care.
Administrative Assisting
8%
12 questions
Covers scheduling, monitoring, prioritizing appointments, insurance verification, identification, billing, data entry, and other administrative tasks.
Communication and Customer Service
8%
12 questions
Highlights the importance of cultural competency, verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, and etiquette.
Medical Law and Ethics
5%
7 questions
Covers legal and regulatory requirements, patient consent, ethical codes, professionalism, and providing unbiased care.
Achievable CCMA content outline
1
Medical assistant
Introduces the professional role, responsibilities, and history of the medical assistant. Covers standards of care, credentialing, and the medical assistant’s place within the broader healthcare team.
2
Electronic records
Covers the purpose, organization, and content of health records. Explains electronic health record systems, their capabilities, and the medical assistant’s role in accurate documentation.
3
Medical terminology and anatomy
Builds understanding of medical word structure, body system combining forms, and basic anatomical concepts. Covers structural organization of the body, body balance, disease, and infectious pathogens.
4
The fundamentals of infection control
Explains infection control principles, OSHA standards, and the cycle of infection. Covers the body’s defense mechanisms, types of infection, and the medical assistant’s role in maintaining a safe environment.
5
Introduction to vital signs
Covers measurement and interpretation of temperature, pulse, respiration, and oxygen saturation. Includes blood pressure equipment and techniques, orthostatic vital signs, hypertension, and anthropometric measurements.
6
The patient interview and history
Focuses on obtaining accurate patient health histories through effective communication. Emphasizes understanding patient needs, professionalism, and proper documentation.
7
The physical examination
Introduces body mechanics, examination methods, and the sequence of a general physical exam. Covers assisting the provider through each stage of examination.
8
Appointment scheduling
Explains scheduling principles, organizing appointments for new and existing patients, and managing special scheduling circumstances. Emphasizes efficiency and patient flow.
9
Insurance billing
Introduces health insurance basics, government and private plans, and healthcare laws, including HIPAA. Covers the medical assistant’s role in billing and additional regulatory requirements.
10
Diagnostic coding and the ICD-10-CM system
Explains the structure and purpose of ICD-10-CM diagnostic coding. Covers coding for circulatory conditions, pregnancy, injury, infectious and neoplastic diseases, trauma, and ethical considerations.
11
Procedural coding
Introduces CPT coding, general guidelines, evaluation and management services, and surgical coding. Covers wound repair and advanced procedural coding applications.
12
Medical billing and reimbursement essentials
Covers the medical billing cycle from determining insurance responsibility to resolving claim outcomes. Emphasizes accurate coding, claim submission, and patient financial responsibility.
13
Assisting with medical specialties
Introduces the integumentary system, including anatomy, inflammatory conditions, skin lesions, infectious diseases, and environmental disorders. Covers the medical assistant’s role in examinations, procedures, and treatments.
14
Assisting with the musculoskeletal system
Covers muscular and skeletal anatomy, diseases, and disorders, including arthritic and joint conditions, spinal disorders, and foot disorders. Emphasizes assisting with examinations and diagnostic procedures.
15
Assisting with the cardiovascular system
Introduces cardiovascular anatomy, blood components, circulation, and the conduction system. Covers cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, and the medical assistant’s role in diagnostic procedures and treatments.
16
Assisting with the respiratory system
Covers respiratory anatomy, acute and chronic respiratory conditions, and tobacco-related disorders. Emphasizes assisting with diagnostic testing and treatments.
17
Assisting with the nervous system
Introduces central and peripheral nervous system anatomy, neurological diseases, seizure disorders, traumatic injuries, and behavioral health. Covers the medical assistant’s role in neurologic examinations and behavioral health support.
18
Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system
Explains urinary system anatomy, function, and related diseases and disorders. Covers the male reproductive system as well as assisting with examinations and diagnostic procedures.
19
Assisting in obstetrics and gynecology
Covers the female reproductive system, related diseases, contraception, and prenatal and postpartum care. Focuses on assisting with gynecologic examinations, specimen collection, and obstetric procedures.
20
Assisting in endocrinology
Introduces the anatomy of the endocrine system, hormone physiology, and related diseases, including adrenal and pancreatic conditions. Covers the medical assistant’s role in examinations, diagnostic procedures, and treatments.
21
Assisting in ophthalmology & otolaryngology
Explains the anatomy and physiology of the eye and ear. Covers refractive errors, ocular disorders, ear diseases, and the medical assistant’s role in examinations, diagnostics, and treatments for both specialties.
22
Assisting in gastroenterology
Introduces the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs. Covers digestive system diseases, chronic and acute conditions, and the medical assistant’s role in examinations, procedures, and treatments.
23
Assisting in the immune & lymphatic systems
Explains the anatomy and physiology of the immune and lymphatic systems. Covers diseases and disorders of both systems, as well as the medical assistant’s role in examinations, diagnostic procedures, and treatments.
24
Assisting in pediatrics: the developmental stages and care
Covers normal growth and development, pediatric diseases and disorders, and how to assist with examinations, screenings, and diagnostic procedures across pediatric care.
25
The medical assistant's role in caring for the older patient
Introduces the aging process and the medical assistant’s role in supporting older patients and managing chronic conditions.
26
The role of the medical assistant in physical therapy examination and assessment
Covers assisting with physical therapy and rehabilitation, immobilization techniques, cold and heat therapies, and assistive devices.
27
Preparing for minor surgery: room, solutions, and supplies
Introduces surgical instruments, asepsis, sterile technique, autoclave operation, and preoperative preparation. Covers wound closure, dressings, bandages, and postoperative care.
28
Introduction to the clinical laboratory
Explains laboratory organization, quality assurance, safety, specimen collection and processing, and equipment use.
29
Urinalysis
Covers urine specimen collection, physical and chemical examination, microscopic analysis, CLIA-waived testing, and urine toxicology and legal considerations.
30
Blood collection
Introduces phlebotomy principles, evacuated collection tubes, order of the draw, routine venipuncture, capillary puncture, needle safety, and potential complications.
31
Analysis of blood
Explains hematology testing, such as red and white blood cell analysis, platelet evaluation, immunohematology, diabetes testing, and cholesterol and thyroid panels.
32
Electrocardiography and heart structure
Introduces heart structure, electrical activity, ECG tracings, rhythm analysis, arrhythmias, electrocardiograph operation, troubleshooting, and stress testing.
33
The principles of pharmacology
Covers pharmacology basics, drug metabolism, actions and effects, drug legislation, prescriptions, drug naming and classification, and medication forms and order types.
34
Essential calculations and measurement systems
Focuses on math basics for medications, drug labels, and core mathematical principles for accurate dosage calculations.
35
Solid, liquid, & solutions medication doses
Covers dosage calculation for solid, liquid, and solution medications with applied pharmacology math.
36
Administering medications
Explains safe medication administration practices, routes of administration, vaccine administration, intradermal injections, tuberculin testing, needle and syringe selection, reconstitution, and subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.
37
Metabolism and core nutrient roles
Introduces metabolism, essential nutrients, fats, minerals, and water. Covers dietary guidance, food labels, diets for chronic conditions and special needs, weight management, and eating disorders.
38
Medical emergencies in the healthcare setting
Focuses on safety, emergency preparedness, and community response. Covers assisting with common and life-threatening emergencies, initial assessment, pain and traumatic injury management, and special needs considerations.