Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you enroll.
Welcome — and thank you for visiting the National Medical Assistant Certification Association.
You may be wondering what makes us different. Here’s the best-kept secret in healthcare education: you don’t need to pay $20,000 for a 2-year degree to become a nationally certified medical assistant.
Many of the best medical assistants in the country learned on the job. They have invaluable, real-world clinical experience — and they think to themselves, “Why should I pay $20,000 to learn what I already know?” Absolutely not. That’s where NMACA comes in.
A few months of focused study. $300–$800 (not $20,000). Your experience already in hand. Your national certification waiting. Isn’t that a lot better?
General Questions
1. Do I need a degree or school certificate to sit for the national exam?
No — and this surprises a lot of people. Many national certification bodies, including NHA (CCMA), AMCA, and AMT, allow candidates with documented clinical work experience to sit for the exam without a formal degree or school-issued certificate. With the right experience, you qualify directly. NMACA will guide you through the specific eligibility requirements for each certifying body.
2. Which national exams does NMACA prepare me for?
CCMA Exam Prep covers all major clinical medical assistant certifications:
- NHA — Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- AAMA — Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- AMT — Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- AMCA — Clinical Medical Assistant Certification
- NCCT — National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
Medical Billing & Coding Exam Prep covers:
- AAPC — Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
- NHA — Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- NCICS — National Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist
3. Do I need prior healthcare experience to enroll?
No prior experience is required to enroll. We take you from zero to nationally certified. However, some certification bodies require documented work experience before you can sit for their exam. We’ll walk you through those requirements and help you understand your eligibility path.
4. I already work as a medical assistant. Is this program right for me?
Absolutely — this program was built with you in mind. If you have hands-on clinical experience, you already know the work. What you need is the structured knowledge to pass the written exam. Our program bridges that gap efficiently so you’re not wasting time or money relearning what you already do every day.
Programs & Pricing
5. How long does it take to complete the program?
Most students complete the program in 2–4 months studying part-time. Everything is fully self-paced — study when it works for your schedule. Program access varies by tier: Silver gives you 4 months, Gold gives you 6 months, and Platinum gives you 8 months.
6. How much does it cost?
Our programs start at $347 — a one-time payment. Compare that to $10,000–$20,000 at a community college or proprietary school. We offer three tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum) designed for every budget and goal, plus combo packages if you want to get certified in both CCMA and Medical Billing & Coding.
7. What is the proctored practice exam — and why does it matter?
NMACA is one of the only online study resource centers that lets you take a fully proctored practice exam before your real test day.
Psychological research has shown that candidates typically perform better on their second exam attempt — not because they studied more, but because the anxiety of the unknown is gone. But a second attempt costs money. We don’t want you to take the exam twice.
Our proctored practice environment simulates the real exam: timed, monitored, and pressure-tested. The CCMA practice exam is 200 questions. The Medical Billing & Coding practice exam is 100 questions. Both are available as standalone purchases ($40) or included in the Platinum tier.
8. What’s included in the Platinum tier?
Platinum is our most comprehensive package and includes everything in Silver and Gold, plus:
- A 200-question proctored practice exam (CCMA) or 100-question (MBC)
- A 55-page Career Success Guide
- Salary negotiation scripts
- EMR Mastery Course ($49.97 value)
- HIPAA Certification ($79.97 value)
- 8 months of platform access
9. Is HIPAA certification really required?
Yes — every healthcare employer requires HIPAA training before you can access patient information. Our HIPAA Certification course is a 25-hour program that gives you a printable certificate you can show employers immediately. It’s included free in Platinum tiers or available as a standalone purchase for $75.
After You Enroll
10. What if I don’t pass the national exam on my first try?
Our 95% pass rate speaks for itself. But if you complete our program and practice exam and still don’t pass your national certification on the first attempt, reach out to us directly — we will work with you to get you across the finish line.
11. How do I access the program after I enroll?
After completing your purchase, you’ll receive login credentials to your student dashboard at nmaca.org. All course materials, videos, quizzes, and resources are available immediately — on desktop and mobile.
12. What is coming next from NMACA?
We are actively developing NCLEX exam preparation for medical assistants advancing into nursing school. If you’re on that path, stay tuned — it’s coming soon.
13. How do I contact NMACA?
You can reach us by phone at 1-888-841-1955, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Eastern Time. You can also use our Contact Us page to send a message and we’ll respond within one business day.