Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)
The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC/CCMA) is a professional credential that validates a medical assistant’s competency to perform clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, performing venipunctures, administering injections, and preparing examination rooms. This certification proves that the professional meets the high standards required by the healthcare sector.
Program Summary
- Duration: 12 Weeks
- Tuition: $2,500.00
- Modalities: Online, Hybrid, In-Person
Comprehensive Program Details
Program Requirements
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- High school diploma, GED, college transcript, or foreign country equivalent (screenshot or photo).
- Valid government-issued ID (State ID, driver’s license, passport).
- Valid Social Security Number (SSN) or current ITIN in the US.
- Complete the United States Medical Institute (USMI) enrollment form (online or in-person).
- No prior experience required.
Study Modalities
1. HYBRID MODALITY (90% ONLINE – 10% IN-PERSON)
90% of the classes are taught virtually live through platforms such as Google Meet or Zoom. The remaining 10% corresponds to in-person activities, such as specific practices or evaluations. The student must have a computer/tablet and stable internet. This combines the flexibility of online learning with the benefit of in-person supervision.
2. ONLINE MODALITY (100% VIRTUAL)
The student completes their training entirely online. Access includes virtual classes, digital study materials, academic workshops, and preparatory evaluations. The student can schedule their certification exam within the system when ready.
3. IN-PERSON MODALITY (100%)
The student attends USMI facilities according to the established schedule. The student may select the language of study (English or Spanish), subject to availability. Includes in-person classes, practical workshops, and scheduled formative activities.
Program Objectives
The program prepares you for the national exam, focusing on medical terminology, safety, asepsis, and HIPAA compliance. Main objectives include:
- Clinical Skills: Prepare patients, take vital signs (weight, height, BP), perform phlebotomy (three methods), EKGs, and administer injections/medications.
- Medical Knowledge: Proficiency in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and essential lab procedures.
- Safety & Ethics: Medical and surgical asepsis, infection control, universal precautions, and HIPAA privacy rules.
- Patient Care: Obtain medical histories, manage chief complaints, and assist in minor surgeries.
- Administrative Functions: Appointment scheduling, health insurance, and patient documentation.
- Professionalism: Prepare for the certification exam and foster ethical behaviors.
Professional Functions
The certified CMAC acts as the right hand of the physician. Functions are grouped into three pillars:
- Clinical Functions: Initial triage, diagnostic procedures (EKG), phlebotomy and point-of-care lab tests, surgical support, and pharmacology administration under supervision.
- Administrative Functions: EHR management under HIPAA, coding (ICD-10, CPT) and billing, schedule management, and supply inventory (OSHA standards).
- Education & Service: Patient instruction on treatment plans and interdisciplinary communication with pharmacies and external labs.
What’s Included in Your Tuition?
- Full Course Access: Attend all classes in your selected modality until successful completion.
- Digital Book & Study Materials: Official digital textbook and educational resources.
- Live Practice (Academy): Supervised practice in our simulated environments.
- Certification Exam Right: Includes the right to take the exam with the authorized agency.
- Obtaining the Certification: Once passed, your certification is mailed to you or delivered at USMI.
Topics Covered in Training & Exam
The certification evaluates clinical and administrative competencies via 180 multiple-choice questions.
- Clinical Patient Care: Patient intake, vital signs, venipuncture techniques, POCT, EKGs, medication administration, injections, sterilization, and OSHA infection control.
- Basic Knowledge & Sciences: Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology (dosages, calculations), nutrition, and psychology.
- Administration & Regulations: Scheduling, EHR, ICD-10/CPT coding, billing, ethics, HIPAA confidentiality, informed consent, and malpractice.
Which Agency Issues the Certification?
Once the theoretical training, exams, and activities are completed, the certification is issued by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) and recognized boards.
AMERICAN MEDICAL CERTIFICATION ASSOCIATION (AMCA)
Exam Information
- Abbreviation: CMAC
- Total Questions: 175 (160 scored, 15 unscored)
- Time Allotted: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Available Modalities: Online, Paper/Pencil
- Live Remote Proctoring: Yes
- Cost: $139.00 (Study material included) – Included in your USMI enrollment.
Competencies Evaluated: Clinical Medical Assisting (60%), Administrative Medical Assisting (26%), Professionalism (10%), Medical Law and Ethics (4%).
NCCA Status
Since October 8, 2015, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted AMCA accreditation for the CMAC certification. Verify Status Here.
How to Graduate and Obtain Your Certification
- Complete the enrollment process with true and complete information.
- Coordinate your class schedule with your instructor.
- Complete the academic program (all modules, tasks, and internal evaluations).
- Request the certification evaluation from USMI when prepared.
- Take and pass the corresponding national exam.
- Receive your certification by mail or at USMI facilities.
Certification & Credentials Awarded
- Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) – AMCA: National certification validating clinical and administrative competencies.
- Professional Identification Card (AMCA): Official credential backing your status to employers nationwide.
Certification Maintenance
The AMCA requires a mandatory renewal process every two years to ensure professionals stay up to date:
- Continuing Education (CE): 10 credits required via approved courses or seminars.
- Renewal Fees: Must be paid before the expiration date to avoid late penalties.
- Application Process: Managed directly through the AMCA Member Portal.
- Consequences of Expiration: Loss of credential usage. Prolonged expiration may require retaking the full exam.
Graduate Capabilities
- Clinical Competencies: EKG, pulmonary function tests, venipuncture, capillary draws, and pharmacology administration (oral, topical, injectable per state law).
- Administrative Competencies: EHR management, insurance pre-authorizations, ICD-10/CPT coding, and telephone triage.
- Interpersonal & Ethical Skills: Professional communication bridging doctor and patient, and strict OSHA/HIPAA compliance.
Professional and Service Skills
- Patient-Centered Care: Empathy, triage management, and patient education on medications and healthy habits.
- Operational Efficiency: Multitasking, telemedicine proficiency, and FDA-compliant inventory management.
- Ethics: Rigorous confidentiality, occupational safety, and professional integrity.
- Critical Thinking: Emergency identification (e.g., heart attack signs) and precise clinical recording to prevent medication errors.
Why Certify?
- National Competency Validation: NCCA-accredited proof of meeting federal standards.
- Mandatory Hiring Requirement: Required by most large health systems and CMS guidelines for EHR entry.
- Higher Salary Potential: Certified MAs statistically earn higher incomes and reduce employer liability.
- Legal Protection: In-depth knowledge of HIPAA and OSHA.
- Gateway to the Future: Accumulate verifiable clinical hours for advanced degrees.
Labor Opportunities
- Clinical & Hospital Environments: Specialty offices, Urgent Care, Hospitals.
- Diagnostic Centers: Clinical labs and imaging centers.
- Health Management: Insurance companies, community health centers.
- New Modalities: Home health care and telemedicine services.
Advancement Possibilities
- Clinical Specialization: Cardiology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Oncology.
- Leadership: Lead MA, Medical Office Manager, Patient Care Coordinator.
- Bridge Programs: Step toward Nursing (LPN/RN) or Physician Assistant (PA) roles.
- Education/Consulting: MA Instructor, Billing and Coding Specialist.
Clinical Practices & Professional Experience
Training includes supervised simulated practice using specialized equipment. The program does not include mandatory external clinical externships in hospitals or clinics as part of the curriculum. However, USMI commits to guiding students on how to independently identify and apply for externships or volunteer opportunities.
State Guidelines
Laws vary by state. Candidates must familiarize themselves with their state’s regulations. Examples:
- New Jersey: Requires 330 hours of instruction including injection training (NJAC 13:35-6.4).
- California: Approved certifying organizations apply.
- Connecticut: Public Act 24-68 allows AMCA-certified CMACs to administer vaccines.
Institutional Information
United States Medical Institute (USMI) is a 100% private educational institution. We do not participate in external government financial aid, grants, or scholarship programs. All programs are financed directly by the student.
Contact Us:
- Phone / WhatsApp: +1 (346) 855-4600
- Email: info@unitedstatesmedicalinstitute.com
- Web: unitedstatesmedicalinstitute.com
For more info on healthcare careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or O*NET.
