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Recertification

August 14, 2026 • Certification & Recertification

Recertification

Maintaining an active professional certification is an important responsibility for medical assistants. Certification demonstrates continued competency, commitment to professional development, and compliance with the standards established by each certifying organization. Every certifying agency has its own renewal cycle, continuing education (CE) requirements, fees, and policies regarding expired credentials. The following summarizes the current recertification requirements for several of the most common medical assistant certifications.

CMA (AAMA)

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) credentialed through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) must recertify every 60 months (5 years). There are two methods of recertification: completing continuing education requirements or successfully passing the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam.

Medical assistants who choose the continuing education option must earn 60 recertification points (CEUs) during the five-year certification period. A minimum of 10 CEUs must be earned in each of the following content areas: Administrative, Clinical, and General, for a total of 30 required CEUs. The remaining 30 CEUs may be earned in any combination of these content areas.

At least 30 of the 60 CEUs must be AAMA-approved continuing education. The remaining 30 CEUs may be earned through AAMA-approved programs or qualifying continuing education from other organizations that meets AAMA requirements. Non-AAMA CEUs must be documented and submitted for review during the recertification process.

CMAs who do not complete the required continuing education may instead recertify by passing the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. However, if a certification has been expired for more than three months, recertification by continuing education is no longer permitted, and the individual must successfully pass the certification examination to regain active status.

Recertification applications may be completed online, by mail, or by telephone.

Current Recertification Fees (2026):

  • AAMA Member: $80
  • Nonmember: $160
  • Reactivation fee for expired certification: $50

 

CCMA (NHA)

Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs) credentialed through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) must renew their certification every 2 years.

Renewal requires completion of 10 continuing education (CE) credits, submission of the renewal application, and payment of the renewal fee. Continuing education may be completed through NHA or through approved outside providers. Outside CE must meet NHA requirements and be submitted through the candidate's NHA account for approval.

Once all continuing education requirements have been met, the certification may be renewed by paying the required renewal fee.

If certification expires, NHA provides a limited reinstatement period. Individuals renewing within one year of expiration may be required to complete additional continuing education requirements and pay applicable reinstatement fees. Certifications that remain expired beyond the reinstatement period require the candidate to successfully pass the certification examination again.

Current Renewal Fee (2026): $195 every two years

 

RMA (AMT)

Registered Medical Assistants (RMAs) credentialed through American Medical Technologists (AMT) maintain certification through the Certification Continuation Program (CCP).

Certification is maintained by:

  • Completing 30 CCP points every three years
  • Maintaining active AMT membership by paying the annual membership fee

Qualifying CCP activities include continuing education courses, college coursework, teaching or presenting educational programs, publishing scholarly work, serving in professional organizations, and other approved professional development activities.

Unlike some credentialing organizations, AMT does not require all continuing education to be completed through its own learning platform. Members may earn CCP points through a variety of approved educational and professional activities.

Candidates who do not maintain their certification within the required timeframes may be subject to reinstatement requirements or other policies established by AMT.

Current Fee (2026):

  • Annual Membership Fee: $75

 

NCMA (NCCT)

National Certified Medical Assistants (NCMAs) credentialed through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) must renew their certification annually.

Annual renewal requires:

  • Completion of 14 continuing education clock hours
  • Payment of the annual renewal fee

Continuing education may be completed through NCCT or through approved outside providers that meet NCCT requirements.

If certification expires:

  • Less than one year: Complete the required continuing education and pay the renewal fee.
  • One to five years: Complete all missed continuing education requirements and pay all outstanding renewal fees.
  • More than five years: Certification becomes invalid, and the individual must successfully pass the certification examination again to regain certification.

Current Annual Renewal Fee: Approximately $77–$90, depending on membership status and renewal type.

 

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