Medical assistant certification exam
There isn't one single medical assistant certification exam. Each certification has its own test, so the one you take depends on which credential you want. The AAMA's CMA has 200 questions, NHA's CCMA has 150 scored questions, and AMT's RMA has 210 questions.
CMA vs RMA vs CCMA vs NCMA, side by side
The exams compared
Some exams add pretest questions. Those are trial items, and they do not affect your score. You still answer them with the rest, so they use part of your exam time.
| Credential | Offered by | Number of questions | Testing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) | AAMA | 200 | 160 minutes split into four 40-minute parts |
| RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) | AMT | 210 | 2 hours |
| CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) | NHA | 150 scored, with 30 pretest items | 3 hours |
| NCMA | NCCT | 125 scored, with 25 pretest items | 3 hours |
| CMAA | NHA | 110 scored, with 25 pretest items | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Every one of the CMA’s 200 questions is multiple choice.
CMA passing score
The CMA is graded with a scaled score. Scores run between 200 and 800, and you must earn at least 405 to pass.
Official CMA practice exam
The AAMA offers an official practice exam that is online only. It has 200 questions across 10 modules. It allows two uses within 90 days.
Does the CCMA have an official practice test?
Yes. NHA, the group behind the CCMA, offers its own practice tests, with prices starting at $54.
Where you can take the CCMA and RMA
We have location details for two of the exams:
- CCMA: at your school, a PSI testing center, or via live remote proctoring).
- RMA: at school or at a Pearson VUE testing center.
Questions people often ask
How hard is the CMA exam to pass?
Between July 2024 and April 2025, 69 percent of first-time CMA test takers passed. So roughly 7 in 10 people pass on their first try, and it's worth giving yourself real study time.
If I fail, can I retake the CMA exam?
Yes. The CMA may be taken up to 6 times within 12 months. Each try has a new fee, so it makes sense to prepare well before booking another attempt.
What topics does the RMA exam cover?
The 210 RMA questions are split across 3 areas:
| Subject | Number of questions |
|---|---|
| General | 65 |
| Administrative | 30 |
| Clinical | 115 |
Clinical questions make up more than half the exam, so it's worth giving them the biggest share of your study time.
Does the RMA have a practice test?
AMT offers an official RMA practice exam priced at $30. The fee covers two attempts, and each one has 210 questions.