NHA CCMA Recertification: What You Need to Know

Maintaining your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) requires periodic recertification and continuing education.

Unlike some certification organizations that require annual renewal, NHA uses a two-year certification cycle. CCMA professionals must complete the required continuing education and renew their certification before the expiration date listed on their NHA account.

Understanding your renewal timeline, CE requirements, fees, and documentation can help you keep your certification active and avoid an unexpected lapse.

How Often Does an NHA CCMA Need to Renew?

NHA's CCMA certification follows a two-year renewal cycle.

Your certification is generally due for renewal every two years based on the certification issue date. Your individual expiration date can be found on your NHA certificate and within your NHA account.

Rather than relying on a general calendar date, always check your individual certification record for your actual expiration date.

What Is the NHA Recertification Fee?

The current listed recertification fee is $179.

Because certification fees can change, CCMA professionals should verify the current fee through their NHA account before beginning the recertification process.

Planning ahead can also help you avoid waiting until the last minute to discover that the fee or renewal process has changed.

How Many Continuing Education Credits Are Required?

NHA requires 10 continuing education (CE) credits every two years to maintain the CCMA credential.

A simple way to stay on track is to spread your CE activities throughout your two-year certification period rather than completing all 10 credits immediately before your expiration date.

For example, you could aim to complete approximately 5 CE credits per year.

This isn't a separate annual requirement—it is simply a planning strategy that can make the two-year requirement easier to manage.

Where Can You Earn NHA CE Credits?

CCMA professionals can earn eligible CE through the NHA CE library as well as other qualifying educational programs and providers.

Outside continuing education may be accepted when the activity is relevant to healthcare and the CCMA profession and meets NHA's requirements.

Before completing an outside course, verify that it qualifies for NHA CE credit. This is particularly important because completing a course does not automatically mean that the activity will count toward your recertification requirements.

What Documentation Should You Keep?

Keep documentation for every CE activity you complete.

Your CE certificates should contain important information such as:

• Course title
• Completion date
• Provider information
• Number of CE credits earned

Keep these records in an organized location even if you have already recorded your CE in your NHA account.

NHA may require documentation verifying completion of your CE activities. Having your certificates readily available can make the process much easier if your records are reviewed.

A good rule for CE documentation:

Complete it. Record it. Save it.

Don't assume that because a course has been recorded electronically, you no longer need your certificate.

How Do You Submit CE Credits?

The recertification process is managed through your NHA account.

Depending on how your CE was completed, you may need to complete CE through NHA or provide information/documentation for eligible outside CE.

A general process includes:

1. Log in to your NHA account.

2. Review your certification status and expiration date.

3. Complete your required CE credits.

4. Record or upload eligible outside CE documentation when applicable.

5. Complete the recertification process.

Because online account features and procedures can change, follow the instructions provided in your NHA account when completing your renewal.

What Happens If Your Certification Expires?

Don't assume that an expired certification automatically means you have to start over.

NHA provides a reinstatement pathway for certain expired certifications, with a reinstatement window that may extend up to one year after expiration.

Additional requirements may apply, so professionals whose certification has expired should review NHA's current reinstatement instructions as soon as possible.

If the applicable reinstatement period has passed, retesting may be required to regain the certification.

The exact steps can depend on how long the certification has been expired and NHA's current policies.

Can You Recertify by Examination?

NHA provides an examination pathway for individuals who are no longer eligible to renew through standard recertification.

In other words, if you cannot maintain your credential through the standard renewal process, you may have the option to pursue certification again by meeting the eligibility requirements and successfully completing the certification examination.

Before choosing this route, review NHA's current eligibility requirements and examination policies.

Does NHA Require Professional Membership?

No separate professional membership is required to maintain the NHA CCMA certification.

However, you will need an NHA account to manage your certification and complete the recertification process.

This is different from certification organizations that require an active professional membership as part of maintaining a credential.

What About CE Audits or Documentation Reviews?

NHA may request documentation verifying your completed continuing education.

This means CCMA professionals should maintain copies of their CE certificates and other supporting documentation even after recording their credits.

If NHA requests verification, you should be prepared to provide documentation showing that your CE activities were completed and met the applicable requirements.

Keeping a digital folder labeled with your certification period can be a simple way to stay organized.

A Simple NHA CCMA Renewal Strategy

Maintaining your certification becomes much easier when you create a system instead of waiting until your expiration date.

Every year:

1. Check your NHA account.
Review your certification expiration date and current CE progress.

2. Set a CE goal.
Aim for approximately 5 CE credits each year to reach the 10-credit requirement over two years.

3. Complete qualifying education.
Use NHA's CE resources or verify that outside education meets NHA requirements before completing it.

4. Record your CE.
Make sure eligible activities are properly recorded in your NHA account.

5. Save your certificates.
Keep documentation showing the course title, completion date, provider, and CE credits earned.

Before your expiration date:

Review your account and make sure you have:

• Completed the required 10 CE credits
• Recorded eligible CE
• Saved your CE documentation
• Confirmed your certification expiration date
• Completed the recertification process
• Paid the applicable recertification fee

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

A two-year certification cycle can seem like plenty of time—but it can pass quickly.

Waiting until the final weeks before expiration to complete your CE can create unnecessary stress, particularly if you discover that a course does not qualify or you are missing documentation.

Instead, treat continuing education as an ongoing part of professional development.

Completing a few CE credits each year, keeping your records organized, and checking your NHA account periodically can make recertification much more manageable.

Quick Reference: NHA CCMA Recertification

Requirement	NHA CCMA Information
Recertification fee	$179*
Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
CE requirement	10 CE credits every 2 years
Recommended planning pace	Approximately 5 credits per year
Renewal deadline	Before the certification expiration date
Documentation	Keep CE certificates and supporting records
Audit/documentation review	Documentation may be requested
Renewal by examination	Examination pathway may be available when standard renewal is no longer available
Separate membership required?	No
CE reporting	Through the NHA account
Reinstatement	Available for certain expired certifications within the applicable reinstatement period
Retesting after reinstatement period	May be required

*Fees are subject to change. Verify the current fee in your NHA account before renewing.

Where Can You Renew Your NHA CCMA Certification?

Certification management and recertification are handled through your NHA account.

NHA Account Portal:
https://www.nhanow.com/

Important Reminder

Certification fees, CE policies, reinstatement rules, and renewal procedures can change. Always verify the current requirements directly with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) before completing continuing education or renewing your certification.

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

References:

1. National Healthcareer Association. (n.d.). National Healthcareer Association. https://www.nhanow.com/