AMCA Medical Assistant Certification Renewal: What You Need to Know

Maintaining a medical assistant certification through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) requires continuing education and renewal every two years.

AMCA certificants must complete the required continuing education credits, submit qualifying outside education for approval when applicable, and complete the renewal process before their certification expires.

Understanding the renewal cycle and keeping your CE documentation organized can help you maintain an active certification and avoid having to retest.

How Often Does an AMCA Certification Need to Be Renewed?

AMCA certifications are renewed every two years from the date of certification.

Your individual expiration date is listed in your AMCA candidate account. It is important to keep track of this date because renewal must be completed before the certification expires.

Rather than waiting until the final weeks of your certification period, consider checking your account periodically to monitor your certification status and continuing education progress.

What Is the AMCA Renewal Fee?

The AMCA certification renewal fee is currently $15 per certification after the required continuing education has been completed.

The renewal payment is made after you have accumulated the required CE credits and completed the applicable renewal steps.

Because fees and policies can change, verify the current renewal fee through your AMCA candidate account before submitting payment.

How Many Continuing Education Credits Are Required?

AMCA requires 10 continuing education credits (CEUs) every two years to maintain certification.

Because you have two years to complete the requirement, you don't necessarily need to complete all 10 credits at once.

A simple planning strategy is to aim for approximately 5 CE credits per year.

This is not an additional annual requirement—it is simply a way to spread your education throughout the two-year certification period.

Where Can You Earn AMCA Continuing Education?

AMCA accepts several types of continuing education.

These may include:

• AMCA Career Advancement Volumes
• AMCA Career Advancement Certificate Programs (CACP)
• Approved outside continuing education providers
• Healthcare-related education relevant to your certified role

Outside CE is an important consideration.

If you plan to use education from a provider outside of AMCA, the activity must be submitted for review and approval before it can be applied toward your renewal.

Don't assume outside CE automatically counts.

Before relying on an outside course toward your 10-credit requirement, make sure it meets AMCA's requirements and follow the appropriate submission process.

This can prevent you from reaching the end of your renewal period only to discover that some of your education was not accepted.

What Documentation Do You Need?

When submitting outside continuing education, documentation should clearly demonstrate what you completed.

Documentation should include:

• Your name
• Course title
• Date completed
• Number of hours or CE credits earned
• Proof-of-completion certificate

Keep copies of all CE documentation for your records.

Even after your credits have been reviewed and approved, maintaining your own records provides an additional layer of protection if you need to verify your professional development history later.

Does AMCA Review Continuing Education?

Yes.

AMCA reviews submitted CE documentation, particularly education completed through outside providers.

Outside CE must be submitted for review and approval before it can be applied toward your renewal.

This makes it important to plan ahead when using outside educational activities.

If you are unsure whether a course will qualify, review AMCA's requirements before completing it and follow the applicable approval process.

How Do You Submit CE Credits?

AMCA manages certification renewal through the AMCA Candidate Portal.

The general process is:

1. Log in to your AMCA candidate account.

2. Submit eligible CE credits for review and approval.

3. Monitor your account until you have accumulated the required 10 CE credits.

4. Once 10 CE credits have been banked, select your certification under the "Certification and Certificates" tab.

5. Complete the renewal payment.

Keeping track of your CE throughout the two-year period can make this process much easier.

What Happens If Your Certification Expires?

AMCA provides a reinstatement period for expired certifications.

Candidates have up to one year after expiration to reinstate their certification by completing the applicable renewal requirements and paying the required reinstatement fee.

However, if the certification has been expired for more than one year, retesting is required.

This makes it especially important to address an expired credential as soon as possible.

Can You Renew by Examination?

Yes.

If your certification has been expired for more than one year, you must apply to retake the certification examination, provided you meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

In other words, maintaining your certification through the normal renewal process is generally much simpler than allowing it to remain expired beyond the reinstatement period.

Does AMCA Require a Professional Membership?

No separate professional membership is required.

Certification maintenance is handled through your AMCA candidate account.

You should maintain access to your account and keep your contact information current so you can manage your certification and renewal requirements.

A Simple AMCA Renewal Strategy

With a two-year renewal cycle and a 10-credit CE requirement, creating a simple tracking system can help you stay ahead.

Throughout your certification period:

1. Track your CE credits.
Keep a running record of every completed educational activity.

2. Use approved education.
Consider AMCA Career Advancement Volumes, CACP programs, or approved outside CE.

3. Submit outside CE for approval.
Don't wait until the end of your certification cycle.

4. Save your certificates.
Keep documentation showing your name, course information, completion date, and CE credits.

5. Check your AMCA account.
Monitor your certification expiration date and CE progress.

Before your expiration date:

Make sure you have:

• Completed the required 10 CE credits
• Received approval for applicable outside CE
• Confirmed your CE credits are banked
• Reviewed your certification expiration date
• Selected your certification under the Certification and Certificates tab
• Paid the applicable renewal fee

What If You Forget to Renew?

If your certification expires, don't ignore it.

AMCA provides a one-year reinstatement period during which you may be able to restore your certification by completing the required renewal steps and paying the applicable reinstatement fee.

Once the certification has been expired for more than one year, retesting is required if you want to regain the credential and meet the current eligibility requirements.

The difference between reinstating an expired certification and retaking the certification examination is significant—so keeping track of your expiration date is worth the effort.

Quick Reference: AMCA Certification Renewal

Requirement	AMCA Information
Renewal fee	$15 per certification*
Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
CE requirement	10 CE credits every 2 years
Recommended planning pace	Approximately 5 credits per year
Renewal deadline	Before certification expiration
Outside CE	Must be submitted for review and approval
Documentation	Certificate showing course and completion information
Separate membership required?	No
Reinstatement period	Up to 1 year after expiration
After 1 year expired	Retesting required
Renewal by examination	Yes, when applicable after expiration
CE submission	AMCA Candidate Portal
Renewal portal	https://www.amcaexams.com

*Fees and requirements are subject to change. Verify the current fee and renewal requirements through AMCA before submitting your renewal.

Where Can You Renew Your AMCA Certification?

AMCA certification maintenance and renewal are handled through the AMCA Candidate Portal.

AMCA Candidate Portal:
https://www.amcaexams.com

Important Reminder

Certification fees, CE requirements, approved providers, reinstatement policies, and renewal procedures can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) before completing continuing education or renewing your certification.

This article is intended as an educational overview and should not replace AMCA's official certification policies and requirements.

References:

1. American Medical Certification Association. (n.d.). American Medical Certification Association. https://www.amcaexams.com/