Are Medical Assistant (CMA) Certifications Worth It?

Is CMA Certification Worth It? Here’s What You Need to Know

Is the CMA certification worth it? This is the core question that we’ll answer in the following sections. We’ll discuss what CMAs do, what the steps are to become one, and what their costs are.

What is a CMA in the first place? A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a healthcare professional who:

• Have competencies to perform the administrative and clinical tasks required in their job
• Meet the national standards for knowledge and skills for healthcare professionals
• Have completed the requirements set by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

Becoming a CMA takes time, effort, and money, so it’s best to set realistic expectations. For starters, it can take 9-24 months to complete an accredited CMA program. Then, consider the costs of CMA education, certification exam, and initial certification.

So, ask yourself first, ‘Is a medical assistant certification worth it?’ in my case. Keep in mind that its value depends on many factors, including your:

• Personal interests
• Career goals
• Financial resources
• Educational background
• Work experience

Consider your personal circumstances first before making the decision. What may work for your peers may not work for you, even if you want the benefits.

A good Certified Medical Assistant salary is among these benefits – a median of $44,200/year (BLS, May 2024). CMAs also enjoy strong demand, job security, and good career progression.

But theirs is a demanding job, too, with physical and mental burnout being a risk. So, weigh the pros and cons, too, so you’ll have a balanced perspective.

Indeed, becoming a CMA can bring value to your life. Shorter time-to-completion and cheaper costs than a four-year degree make it so.

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What Does a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Do?

CMAs are competent at both clinical and administrative tasks. Here’s a brief look at their daily tasks.

• Take and record patients’ vital signs (e.g., temperature, blood pressure, respiration rate).
• Prepare patients for lab tests and other medical procedures.
• Assist doctors during physical exams and other medical procedures.
• Perform basic lab tests, collect lab specimens, and draw blood.
• Give patients their medications and injections under doctors’ instructions.
• Clean and sanitize medical equipment and exam rooms.
• Schedule appointments for patients and doctors.
• Manage medical records and maintain patient privacy.
• Handle billing and invoices, patient communications, and insurance forms.

CMAs learn these skills through their formal education and training. On-the-job learning is also a vital part of their skills development.

Continuing education is also a must to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills. In fact, CMAs must complete CEUs every 60 months. Online courses, workshops, seminars, and webinars are common ways. Hands-on skills refreshers are also popular.

CMAs work in a wide range of healthcare facilities, including:

• Hospitals and specialty clinics
• Outpatient clinics and urgent care centers
• Doctor’s offices and private practices
• Long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes and hospices)
• Rehabilitation centers
• Community health centers
• Public health organizations

As a CMA, you’ll work with a team of healthcare professionals (e.g., doctors and nurses). You must also work with patients and their families. Indeed, communication and collaboration skills are vital for success.

How Do You Become a CMA?

Here are the basic steps in how to become a medical assistant:

Get formal education and training.

You must graduate from an accredited post-secondary medical assisting program. Check for either CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation. Eligibility requirements vary between programs, but usually include:

• High school diploma or GED with minimum GPA (e.g., 2.0-2.5)
• Completed application form and proof of payment of application fee
• Background check and drug screening (i.e., compulsory for clinical placement purposes)
• Proof of physical exam and immunizations
• CPR certification

A personal statement and letters of recommendation may or may not be required. It also applies to standardized test scores and placement tests.

The time-to-completion varies between nine months and two years. Accelerated programs mean faster workforce entry but a more challenging pace. Traditional programs provide more in-depth learning and hands-on experiences.

Apply for and pass the AAMA-administered CMA certification exam.

The computer-based exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions divided into three content areas.

• General (e.g., risk management and medical ethics)
• Clinical (e.g., specimen collection and exam assistance)
• Administrative (e.g., billing, scheduling, electronic medical records)

If you pass, you’ll be recognized as a CMA. The credential is only valid for 60 months (five years). If you want to maintain it, you can either complete CEUs or retake the exam.

Many community colleges and online universities offer affordable, accredited CMA programs. Check out these programs with under $10,000 in tuition and fees.

• Herzing University – Diploma in Medical Assisting (online)
• Penn Foster – Medical Assistant Career Diploma (online)
• US Career Institute – Medical Assistant Certificate (online)
• Oakland Community College (MI) – Certificate and AAS in Medical Assisting

Affordability is a relative term. You may or may not be able to afford the medical assistant certification cost. Don’t worry, as there are many financial aid options, including:

• Federal and state aid. File your complete and accurate FAFSA before the deadline.
• Institutional scholarships. Check with your college’s financial aid office.
• Apprenticeship and workforce grants. Check with the US Department of Labor and Local Workforce Development Boards.
• Employer-sponsored tuition. Ask your employer about it.

Indeed, becoming a CMA has its challenges. But if you look hard enough, you’ll likely find effective solutions.

What Does a CMA Certification Cost?

You must spend first before you can enjoy the benefits of the CMA certification. Money is, of course, the first thing that comes to mind, but you’ll spend time and effort, too. Consider your opportunity cost, too (i.e., income lost to pursue CMA studies).  

Here’s a look at the estimated costs to become a CMA:

Medical assisting program costs

Your tuition and fees will depend on the type of education you’re planning on. Certificate programs are more affordable than associate’s degree programs. Their shorter time-to-completion and fewer courses make it possible.

The typical costs for certificate programs range between $1,500 and $10,000 for their entirety. Associate’s degree programs cost more, usually between $10,000 and $20,000.

Be sure to account for your indirect costs, too. Housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation are common.

Exam and certification fees

The AAMA’s fee structure is as follows:

• Recent graduates and AAMA members: $125 per exam attempt
• Non-members: $250 per exam attempt

Candidates have up to six exam attempts per year. If you’re worried about the cost, strive to pass the exam on your first try. Intensive preparation is a must.

Recertification costs

CEUs cost $130 for non-members and $65 for members. If you choose to retake the exam, it’s $125 for members and $250 for non-members. There’s a $80-$100 membership fee for rejoining members.

Here are ways that you can save on these costs.

• Become an AAMA member before applying for certification.
• Choose public colleges and community colleges for their in-state rates.
• Apply for financial aid, including Pell Grants, scholarships, and workforce grants.

You can pay little to nothing for your CMA education if you plan well for it.

CMA Salary and Job Outlook

Entry-level salaries for medical assistants vary depending on their:

• Formal education and training (i.e., certificate or associate’s degree)
• With or without professional certification
• Professional work experience
• Type of employer
• Geographical location (i.e., urban or rural)

Entry-level CMAs usually enjoy higher salaries than non-certified medical assistants. It’s common to see average wages of $17-$21 per hour for CMAs. Their verified education and training, which employers value, boosts their earning potential.

Non-certified medical assistants earn $14-$17 per hour. It is a 10%-20% difference in starting pay. CMAs also tend to enjoy faster hiring and better job security.

The strong medical assistant job outlook is also a reason for its popularity. The projected job growth for medical assistants is 15% (BLS, 2023-2033). It indicates strong demand fueled by:

• An aging population that needs more preventive care and chronic disease management
• Growth in specialty clinics and outpatient care centers
• Increased reliance on versatile support staff, including CMAs

Indeed, being a CMA has its benefits, but you don’t have to be one for your entire career. You can also explore career growth opportunities, including:

• Leadership roles, such as clinical supervisor or medical office manager
• Licensed practical nurse or registered nurse
• Physician assistant
• Health information technician

You’ll have to complete more advanced education and training. But the higher salaries and better job security are worth the time and money investment.

Is a CMA Certification Worth It?

Yes, it is, as you can conclude from the above discussion. But it’s still a good idea to have a balanced perspective – know its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Higher earning potential. CMAs can earn higher than their non-certified colleagues.
• Faster employment opportunities. Employers usually require or prefer certified candidates.
• Better career mobility. CNAs are more competitive for promotions and specializations.

Cons:

• High initial costs. Effective financial planning and financial aid can address the cost issue.
• Recertification costs and requirements. Again, planning for these aspects can reduce their impact.
• Limited scope of practice. CMAs don’t have the autonomy and authority of licensed professionals. But it’s possible to gain them through more advanced education (e.g., LPNs).

The return on investment (ROI) for CMAs is impressive, too. Most CMAs can recoup their financial investment in less than a year of work.

The trick here is to choose from affordable medical assistant programs. The lower your financial investment in CMA education, the higher your returns.

So, in a CMA certification vs no certification comparison, CMA certification wins. Your personal and professional growth opportunities are better with it.

Affordable Ways to Get Your CMA Certification

The strong demand for medical assistants fueled the increase in affordable programs. You should have a relatively easy time looking for these programs.

• Start looking for accredited medical assisting programs in your local area. Check the community colleges, technical-vocational colleges, and public universities.
• Look for these programs via the Internet. Keywords like “affordable medical assisting programs in my area” are a good start.
• Ask for recommendations from family and friends. Their personal experiences with medical assisting programs can make or break your decision.

Aside from the five programs mentioned above, here are more affordable CMA programs.

• Alvin Community College (TX) – Clinical Medical Assistant (hybrid)
• Craven Community College (NC) – Certificate and AS in Medical Assisting Certificate
• Pima Community College (AZ) – Medical Assisting Certificate
• Dakota College at Bottineau (ND) – Medical Assistant Diploma and Associate’s Degree
• Barton County Community College (KS) – Medical Assistant Diploma and Associate’s Degree

Again, explore financial aid for medical assistant programs. You can enjoy significant savings if you take advantage of every opportunity. Apply for financial aid even if it’s a small amount – every dollar adds up.

Here are useful tips for finding financial aid.

• Go around your local community and ask businesses and nonprofits about financial aid.
• Use the Internet, particularly scholarship databases. Fastweb is a popular site.
• Ask for referrals from family and friends, too.

Affordability is the strongest suit for medical assisting programs. But you must do your part to make it possible.

So, Is Getting Your CMA Worth It? Final Thoughts

Again, becoming a CMA is worth it. But it isn’t for every Tom, Dick, and Harry either.

Earning the CMA credential is worth it if you:

• Seek a fast and affordable route into the healthcare industry
• Want a well-paying job with a strong demand
• Desire to earn more if you’re a non-certified medical assistant or in a similar role
• Plan on using it as a stepping stone to more advanced healthcare careers

It may not be worth it if you:

• Are unsure about a long-term career in the healthcare industry
• Don’t qualify for financial aid, or you don’t have the financial resources

The CMA credential is a smart investment. But you must consider if, indeed, it aligns with your interests and goals.