What is better, CMA or CCMA?
Asked by: Lacey Littel | Last update: May 16, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (7 votes)
Neither CCMA nor CMA is inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your career focus, as CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, NHA) emphasizes hands-on patient care, while CMA (Certified Medical Assistant, AAMA) generally prepares for a broader mix of clinical and administrative duties, with CMA often considered more widely recognized and potentially preferred by some employers due to its focus on comprehensive training. Choose CMA for well-rounded skills and wider national recognition, or CCMA if you prefer a faster entry focused purely on clinical tasks like vitals, EKGs, and assisting with procedures.
Is a CCMA higher than a CMA?
To become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you must pass the National Healthcareer Association exam. Compared to CMAs and RMAs, CCMAs typically have more clinical responsibilities, including patient care.
Is a CCMA certification worth it?
Yes, a CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) certification is generally considered very worth it, boosting job prospects, increasing earning potential (around 63% of employers pay more for certified MAs), and providing crucial skills validation that employers value, with about 88% encouraging or requiring certification for better job readiness and security. While some argue pay isn't always high or certification isn't mandatory everywhere, it's a strong career stepping stone, making you a more competitive and versatile candidate for faster entry into healthcare.
Which is better, a clinical medical assistant or a medical assistant?
If you need someone to handle administrative tasks, such as scheduling and billing, an administrative medical assistant is a good choice. However, if you want someone to assist patients, administer injections, and prepare rooms, you'll need a clinical medical assistant.
Is the CCMA nationally recognized?
Certification Detail
Earning the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA Certification), nationally accredited through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), can help you stand out in the world of medical assistants.
CMA vs. CCMA...what even is the difference?
How long is a CMA valid for?
The CMA certification is valid for five years. Certification holders may renew by exam or by completing 60 units of continuing education. Additional information about recertification can be found on the CMA Recertification Policies page.
Is a CCMA considered a nurse?
No, a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is not a nurse, though they work in healthcare and assist nurses and doctors with patient care and administrative tasks; the key differences lie in their education, licensing, and scope of practice, with nurses having broader responsibilities and more extensive training. While MAs handle tasks like taking vitals and preparing patients, nurses are licensed to provide direct, independent care, develop care plans, and administer medications.
How do I go from CMA to CCMA?
If you've already worked as a medical assistant, you can just take the CCMA exam (minimum 1 year experience required) or RMA test (minimum 3 years experience) without going through a training program.
Is CMA higher than a CNA?
Yes, a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) generally holds a "higher" position than a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in terms of broader skills, responsibility, and earning potential, as CMAs handle both clinical (vitals, injections) and administrative (scheduling, billing) tasks, while CNAs focus on direct, basic patient care (bathing, feeding) under a nurse's supervision, requiring less training for CNAs but offering CMAs more career versatility and better pay, notes uscareerinstitute.edu and IntelyCare.
Do CMAs draw blood?
Medical assistants who have completed the minimum training prescribed by regulation may draw blood. Medical assistants are not allowed to perform such invasive procedures as: placing the needle or starting and disconnecting the infusion tube of an IV. administering medications or injections into the IV line.
Are CCMAs in high demand?
Are CCMAs In High Demand? Certified Clinical Medical Assistants are in very high demand by employers across the healthcare industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 15% increase in Medical Assistant positions by 2033, which is faster than most other careers.
Is it hard to pass the CCMA exam?
The CCMA exam is challenging due to the vast amount of material but manageable with dedicated study; it's considered a difficult but fair test, with success depending heavily on preparation, practice questions, and understanding core concepts, not just memorization, as seen by its ~77% pass rate, where many test-takers find it requires focus and endurance, even using the full 3 hours.
Can I get a job with a CCMA?
There are many places you can work with a CCMA certification, including hospitals, clinics, research centers, outpatient care facilities, insurance companies, nursing homes, diagnostic…
Can a CMA call themselves a nurse?
Medical assistants and other unlicensed, non-nurse personnel should never call themselves “nurses,” even generically. State laws prohibit anyone without a valid nursing license from using “nurse” or other variations of this title. Violators can face criminal prosecution and regulatory action.
Who gets paid more, CNA or CCMA?
Generally, a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA/CCMA) makes more than a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) because CMAs have broader clinical and administrative duties, requiring more training, though actual pay varies by location, experience, and facility. CMAs often earn $5,000 to $10,000 more annually on average than CNAs, reflecting their higher skill set and longer education, with national median salaries often showing CMAs earning around $42,000-$47,000 compared to CNAs' $38,000-$41,000.
Is CCMA a doctor?
A California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA and CACMA) is a medical assistant who meets the qualifications established by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA). Entry-level medical assistants must pass a comprehensive, objective examination administered by CCBMA to become certified.
Can I be a CMA without being a CNA?
Yes, in most states, you must be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) (or have equivalent experience) before becoming a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) (also called Medication Assistant), as it requires prior experience in basic patient care, with some states mandating a certain amount of CNA work time (like 6 months) before starting CMA training. While not universal (e.g., Iowa has alternative paths for nursing students), the CNA requirement ensures foundational patient care knowledge before adding medication administration responsibilities, which is the key difference between the roles.
Is becoming a CMA difficult?
The exam is difficult, with an average pass rate of around 45 percent, but with the right study practices and a proven CMA Exam review, you can increase your likelihood of passing and speed up the process so you can start experiencing the benefits of a Certified Management Accounting certification.
Is a CMA a type of nurse?
Q: Is a CMA a nurse? A: No. A CMA, or Certified Medical Assistant, is a credential for medical assistants who pass a national certification exam. CMAs are not licensed nurses and must work under the supervision of licensed providers.
What pays more, CCMA or CMA?
While both CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) and CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) offer similar earning potential, with CMAs sometimes having a slight edge due to broader recognition, there isn't a huge salary gap, as both lead to comparable pay increases over non-certified roles, averaging around $40k-$49k annually, but location, experience, and facility significantly impact actual earnings. The difference often comes down to the issuing body (NHA for CCMA, AAMA for CMA) and regional demand, with CMAs often preferred in larger practices, but CCMAs also highly valued.
Are CMA and CCMA the same?
The main difference between a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) and a CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) is their focus: a CMA, certified by the AAMA, offers broader training covering both clinical and administrative tasks, while a CCMA, certified by the NHA, emphasizes clinical skills like drawing blood and assisting with procedures, often requiring less training time. Both certifications are valuable, but the CMA is more comprehensive, whereas the CCMA provides faster entry into purely clinical roles, with practical choices often depending on local job market demands.
How long do CCMA certifications last?
The CCMA certification is valid for 2 years from the date you pass the exam. During that time, you can work as a certified medical assistant without taking any additional action.
Can I go from CCMA to RN?
If you are already a medical assistant or are planning to become one, you may be wondering how to transition from medical assisting to nursing. Medical assistants can't just take the NCLEX to become an RN. They must first complete an accredited nursing program, which take 2 to 4 years, before taking the exam.
Is CCMA a good certification?
Yes, a CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) certification is generally considered very worth it, boosting job prospects, increasing earning potential (around 63% of employers pay more for certified MAs), and providing crucial skills validation that employers value, with about 88% encouraging or requiring certification for better job readiness and security. While some argue pay isn't always high or certification isn't mandatory everywhere, it's a strong career stepping stone, making you a more competitive and versatile candidate for faster entry into healthcare.
What comes after a CCMA?
Medical assistants can advance to RN by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, then passing the NCLEX-RN. Or, they can take a shorter path by going from MA to LPN and start working as a practical nurse before pursuing the RN path.