Certification = Verification of Your Knowledge

Thousands agree that certification is recognized and respected by employers and professionals. An increasing number of doctors prefer medical assistants with experience and certifications, mostly because they are beginning to recognize and appreciate the importance of such.

Employers know that professional membership associations and certification sponsors work hard to establish high-quality standards and criteria in the allied health discipline. Their mission is to help allied health professionals to advance, and build awareness of important principles and trends in their occupation and health care industry.

Some US states now mandate certification in certain allied health profession specialties, such as in phlebotomy, X-ray, EKG, or IV therapy.

Chose a link to request information on when, where, and how you can take the following certification exams:

 National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
• Certified EKG Technician (CET)
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
• Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)
• Certified Patient Care Associate (CPCA)
• Certified Nurse Technician (CNT)
• Registered Healthcare Educator (RHE)

 American Medical Technologists (AMT)

• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
• Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
• Medical Technologist (MT)
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
• Certified Office Laboratory Technician (COLT)
• Certified Laboratory Consultant (CLC)
• Certified Allied Health Instructor (AHI)

While some details may vary from certification exam, to certification exam by different associations, there is broad-based agreement that those who have passed these exams have verified that their level of professionalism, knowledge, and education in their specific field is above and beyond the rest. Therefore, there is no question that being certified makes finding jobs easier and puts better pay within reach. Passing these comprehensive certification exams is a valid statement of the person's excellence and qualification the medical assistant field, and regarded as such by employers and facilities who hire.

Most certification exams are usually taken upon successful graduation from an accredited training program either in "pencil and paper" format at designated locations with a proctor present, or via computer terminals at designated testing centers.

Some certification bodies, such as the NHA also offer their home study certification program, where experienced healthcare workers can challenge the national certification exam if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Certification exams can be taken as early as immediately upon graduating from an approved training program, or any time later.

There are no on the job experience requirements to sit for the exam; the only requirement is KNOWING the job! However, some medical assistants new in the field put off taking the exam until they have gained some work experience. AMT and NHA both grant their certifications either based on successful completion of an approved vocational training program or based on a certain number of consecutive years of work experience in the specified field.