Is it Possible to Work as an MA without Certification?

In recent years, medical assisting has become one of the most attractive healthcare careers to specialize in. Despite this shiny new popularity, medical assisting has been around for decades. Medical assistants have historically been trained on-the-job, without formal training and practiced under a physician’s direct supervision.

Certifications in any industry are the key to getting the best jobs. Certifications demonstrate knowledge, commitment, and the proven skills employers want in their staff. Medical assistants can work without a certificate, but being a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) qualifies candidates for better positions. Are you asking yourself, “Can you get certified without a diploma?”

What is MA Certification?

Medical assisting certification is a universal way of proving competency in the profession. MA certification has helped medical assistants gain credibility among other healthcare professions. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers medical assisting certification. When passed, you may use the credentials CMA, or certified medical assistant.

Before certification was offered, there wasn’t a good way for a medical assistant to prove that she had the knowledge and skills needed to work as a qualified MA. Now, the certification exam is one way to show that you know your stuff. To earn the CMA credential, you must take and pass a written exam that covers topics like:

• Clinical procedures
• Anatomy, Physiology and Disease
• Administrative Procedures
• Laboratory Procedures
• Medication administration

Because medical assistants in the past could be hired without formal training, and had no accountability requirements, the profession wasn’t always taken seriously by other health care professionals. Certification has helped change that.

Do Employers Require Certification?

AAMA certification is not a state or federal requirement for working as a medical assistant. However, many employers do require that their medical assistants be certified. Medical liability is an ongoing issue in healthcare. Physicians want reassurance that the medical assistants they hire are competent and have the skills to safely treat patients. Some insurance agencies that insure physicians and healthcare centers may also require that medical assistants be certified to keep medical liability risks down.

It is possible to work as a medical assistant without certification. If you are a new graduate, you may be hired to work as an uncertified medical assistant; however, your employer may ask that you earn certification in a certain amount of time after hire. If you are a medical assistant who never received formal training, you may also find employment without certification based on your years of work experience.

Can You Take the NCMA Exam Without Going to School?

The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), one of the nation’s premier credentialing agencies, allows candidates with a high school diploma and two years of recent experience to take their test. Still applicants are few and far between because few people can meet those criteria. Qualifications among other agencies vary.

Registration vs Certification

The American Registry of Medical Assistants is one of many national certifying organizations, which certify/register medical assistants. Over the years we have received many requests for a clarification of these two terms or designations. The Medical Assistant may choose to be registered (R.M.A) or certified (CMA). These designations merely depend on the organization to which she or he belongs. There is no qualitative difference between the two credentials simply because one uses the “Registered” and the other uses the “Certified” title. National medical assisting credentialing organizations use their own designation acronym for certification or registration. All are a national credential that acknowledges the member as qualified to perform the clinical and clerical duties of a traditional medical assistant. An examination may be given by other organizations, or grant membership by reciprocity, in order to belong. Our members must be recommended by the director or designated representative of a licensed, accredited affiliate school from which they graduated in a program for medical assisting; recommended by their physician employer after one year on-the-job post-graduation experience from a licensed, accredited non-affiliate school from which they graduated in a program for medical assisting; or recommended by their physician employer after having a minimum of three years on-the-job experience performing the clinical and clerical duties of a traditional medical assistant, since it is ultimately the licensed physician that determines the competency of his/her staff. At this time neither the federal or state government require a medical assistant to have been formally trained to be employed, however, graduation from an accredited program benefits the graduate by providing proof of completion of a program that meets nationally accepted standards, recognition of their education by their professional peers and eligibility for registration or certification. We do not, at this time, require our applicants to take another exam. Exams from our accredited, licensed affiliate schools, as well as exams from an accredited, licensed non-affiliate school, have been submitted for review to their accrediting bodies. If they are accepted by the DOE of each state and by a national/state accrediting body approved by the United States Council of Post-Secondary Education, we feel, at this time, another test will add to the cost of membership. We feel that with the review of a completed application, the applicant, if accepted, has either received formal education and/or has had significant on the job experience as to be able to perform the clinical and clerical duties of a traditional medical assistant.

What Certifications Can Medical Assistants Get?

Medical assistants can obtain several certifications. Each is slightly different but requires passing a competency exam. The most widely recognized are:

National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)

Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), the NCMA is among the most sought-after certifications. Their qualification criteria are robust. Requirements include:

• A high school or general equivalency diploma
• Two years of supervised, full-time experience as a medical assistant in the last 60 months
• Graduates of an accredited medical assistant program within the last five years

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Conferred by American Medical Technologists, qualifications for this certification are:

• Graduation from a medical assisting program approved by the US Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or by the AMT Board of Directors within the last 48 months.
• Graduation from a military medical assisting program in the last four years
• A high school diploma plus CPR certification and three years of relevant experience in the last five years.

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Founded in 1956, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the premier professional organization for medical assistants. Their mission is to improve the field and set educational standards for future students, so it’s no surprise their certification criteria is the most stringent of all agencies, requiring a vocational school diploma or an associate’s degree from programs accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)

Offered by the National Association for Health Professionals, the NRCMA credential is a good choice for students who have:

• Completed a US Department of Education-accredited medical assisting program
• Two years of experience in a credential-related medical field
• Two years of applicable medical training in the Armed Forces

Benefits to Being Certified

There are many benefits to earning your certified medical assistant credential:

• Better overall job opportunities
• Better pay
• Opportunity for advancement

Certified medical assistants are often paid more than their non-certified counterparts. You may be offered a more attractive starting pay, or better yearly pay increases if you hold MA certification.

How Does Certification Help a Medical Assistant’s Career?

Medical assistants with credentials have a leg up on the competition, allowing them to be seen by employers during the hiring process. Certification also:

Helps Build Confidence

Certification helps medical assistants gain the confidence it takes to be successful. Vocational school diploma programs teach to the test, covering the areas exams evaluate in-depth. For new graduates, knowing they’ve passed the exam helps validate their skills. Certified Medical Assistants are better prepared to hit the ground running because they’re confident in their skills.

Demonstrates Your Competency

Healthcare is a strictly regulated field. Employers are responsible for their medical assistants’ job performance, so they prefer trained candidates with proven skills. In a competitive field, certification demonstrates competency without experience. It sparkles on a resume.

Makes You a More Valuable Hire

Medicare, the nation’s largest insurer, requires medical assistants to be certified before performing high-risk tasks. Certified medical assistants are more versatile, and therefore more valuable to prospective employers.

Boost Your Professional Growth

Vocational school graduates have all the skills they need to handle entry-level positions. But certification gives hiring managers confidence that new medical assistants can tackle broader responsibilities with less supervision. Certified applicants may qualify for positions diploma-only candidates will struggle to get because they’re a better investment for most employers.

General certification is also a must for getting specialty certificates. If you enjoy a particular type of medical practice, you can obtain additional certifications in cardiology, geriatrics, urology, or one of the other specialties. Every credential earned speaks to your expertise and strengthens you as a job applicant.

Demonstrates a Strong Commitment

Healthcare evolves quickly, and medical assistants need to keep pace; cutting-edge treatments and technological advances are around every corner.

But since all certifications require continuing education credits to maintain, certified medical assistants demonstrate their willingness to stay on top of developments in their field. It’s the type of dedication and commitment to learning what employers are looking for.

Future-Proofs Your Career

Competency-based hiring is trending in healthcare. How does that impact the next generation of medical assistants? It means that employers are increasingly demanding objective proof of applicants’ skills. Getting a vocational school diploma is a good first step, but certification suggests graduates can work safely and effectively. A diploma may be all a medical assistant needs today, but certification is a good investment for the future.

Working without Certification

If you’re currently not certified or choose not to become certified, there are things you can do to boost your credibility as a medical assistant. First, speak to your employer about in-house training or educational opportunities that they may offer. These can help you stay up-to-date with medical changes and advancements. Additionally,

• Consider taking classes. You may want to learn new skills that enhance your medical assistant knowledge, such as earning a certificate in phlebotomy, taking advanced anatomy and physiology or biology classes or classes in caring for the elderly. Remember to keep a record of classes that you take for your employer, or to add to your resume.
• Read professional journals and complete the included continuing education units. Most professional medical journals offer a learning unit and competency test each time the magazine comes out. These learning opportunities are called CEUs, or continuing education units. Certified medical assistants are required to complete a certain number of CEUs each year. However, even if you’re not certified, these CEUs are wonderful opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.
• Attend conferences. Medical assisting conferences are another way to gain insightful knowledge and new skills. Attending conference sessions looks good on a resume and proves to your employer that you care about your profession and professional abilities.

What Do You Learn in a Medical Assistant Program?

Vocational school diploma programs prepare students for entry-level positions and certification. The curriculum includes materials covered in the test, such as:

Medical Terminology

The healthcare field has a unique language, but words are simple to decipher once you understand their parts. Medical terminology courses teach students to determine what terms mean, not by memorization, but by analyzing their prefixes, suffixes, and roots. As a result graduates will feel comfortable researching information in patients’ charts without needing a dictionary.

Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy is how the body is constructed, while physiology is how it functions. As clinical support professionals, medical assistants need a basic understanding to manage patients’ needs. Anatomy and physiology courses cover the fourteen body systems, the most common medical disorders, and their treatment.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their therapeutic effects. You’ll learn about the different categories of medications, their benefits and side effects, and how to help patients use them safely.

Medical Law and Ethics

As responsible employees, medical assistants should be familiar with health regulations and the ethical dilemmas they may encounter in practice. This course helps medical assistants work safely and confidently.

Office Procedures

Geared for students with no experience, medical assisting programs cover general office procedures, including data entry, faxing, filing, correspondence, electronic communication, and customer care.

Medical Coding

Medical coding is alphanumeric shorthand used on insurance forms to describe health symptoms and disorders plus medical diagnostics, services, and supplies. It’s a vital part of a medical assistant’s job and requires pinpoint accuracy because it drives reimbursement.

The Benefits of Enrolling in a Medical Assisting Program

Qualifying for certification is a major benefit of attending a vocational school medical assistant program. Here are a few more that are too good to ignore:

Quick, Efficient Training Programs

Most jobs in the medical field require years in school to train for, but students attending full-time can earn a diploma in as little as eight months. It’s a practical way for adults with responsibilities at home to further their education without being out of work indefinitely.

Flexible Class Schedules

Vocational schools understand their students’ busy schedules. While attending classes full-time is the shortest path to the finish line, part-time or hybrid learning programs are convenient options for adults juggling responsibilities. Why delay pursuing your career goals when you have options?

Small Class Sizes

Whether you’re a high school graduate or an adult changing careers, small class sizes mean a more comfortable, stress-free learning environment. The relaxed pace gives instructors more time to spend with each student.

Comprehensive Learning

Vocational schools provide the same quality education as colleges, but in less time because programs are focused on practical skills, there are no general electives. Instead, you will practice tasks using the same equipment found in healthcare settings. Nothing will seem new or unusual when you start your first job.

Most programs also offer externships, off-campus opportunities to work alongside experienced medical assistants, watching how they interact with patients and structure their day. By the time graduation day comes, you’ll feel like a full-fledged medical assistant.

Job Placement Benefits

Demand for medical assistants is growing, so finding employment isn’t tough for vocational school graduates. But finding the perfect position can be more challenging; however, many job openings are never shared publicly. Instead, doctors save money and time by tapping vocational schools for well-qualified applicants. As a student, you’ll be in the right place at the right time.

Career counselors do an excellent job matching graduates with compatible employers. So why spend weeks searching online job boards when you can have an expert working on your behalf?

Medical Assistant Diploma

The Medical Assistant program is designed to teach you the administrative and clinical skills necessary to work in both back and front office settings of a doctor’s office or similar setting.

After completing the diploma program at Medical Assistant School, you have the option to continue in the Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science program. The associate degree can be completed in an additional 6 months and contains general education courses, along with advanced medical assisting courses and classes in electrocardiography and phlebotomy.

Final Thoughts On Becoming A Certified Medical Assistant Without Going To School

The US needs more medical assistants to meet the needs of an aging population. But healthcare is a dynamic industry, and employers need a trained team with skills they can count on. Don’t be left behind. Being certified as a medical assistant could be the difference between being employed and landing the dream job you deserve in a competitive world.

FAQs, about medical assistant

Is the certified medical assistant exam hard?

Yes, it’s hard but You may secure a spot in that 62% by working hard.

What is the fastest medical assistant program?

However, the majority of medical assistant training programmes last three months or longer.

What education do you need to be a medical assistant?

The sole prerequisite to enroll in a medical assistant programme is a high school diploma or GED.

Does Florida require medical assistants to be certified?

In Florida, there is no formal schooling or training requirement for medical assistants. However, certification for medical assistants is encouraged.

4 week medical assistant program

The four-week medical assistant programme is the shortest available, though this depends on the certificate or degree you want to obtain.

Where can I take the certified medical assistant exam?

Medical assistants can join the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), which also provides CMA (AAMA) certification and educational opportunities.

Medical assistant certification online free

Yes, you can learn online, but the certification exam costs $125 to take.

Can you take the medical assistant certification exam online?

For the Certification Exam, apply online. The ideal window of time to take the test. Although there is no deadline for applying for or taking the exam.

Certified medical assistant test requirements

The applicant must have finished or soon will finish a medical assisting programme that has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health.

What can a non certified medical assistant do?

You might get hired to work as an uncertified medical assistant if you recently graduated.

aama certification

The Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) or CMA credential designates a medical assistant who has obtained certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certifying Board (CB) (AAMA)