How to Become a Registered Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants who want better job prospects choose to get certified by taking a certification exam. Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam accredited by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) is one of the most trusted exams to get the credential.
To become an RMA, applicants must first check their eligibility status and then apply for the exam online. After applying, start preparing for the exam by studying the syllabus. To take the exam, you must schedule it in advance. You can either take the RMA exam at your school or at your nearest Pearson VUE testing center. An identification proof is required to appear for the test.
What is a Registered Medical Assistant?
A registered medical assistant is a medical assistant who has taken and passed the RMA certification exam accredited by AMT after the successful completion of their medical assisting training program. Medical assistants with the RMA credential work in healthcare facilities such as clinics, medical offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers to manage clinical and administrative tasks.
How to Get Certified as RMA?
As of 2025, applicants must meet one of the following AMT eligibility routes:
Education Route: Graduate of an accredited MA program (within the past 4 years, with 720 clock hours + 160 externship hours).
Work Experience Route: High school graduate with 5 years of full-time MA experience under a licensed physician, plus active CPR certification.
Military Route: Graduate of a U.S. Armed Forces medical services training program (within 4 years).
Instructor Route: Current instructor of an accredited MA program with 5+ years full-time teaching experience.
5 Benefits of Being a Registered Medical Assistant
A lot of medical assisting candidates are opting to get certified for better job opportunities. Following are some benefits of being a Registered Medical Assistant:
- Minimum education requirements: Medical assistants don’t have to necessarily enroll themselves in a medical assisting program; they can get certified and work as an RMA without any degree. This means that there are very few education investments required.
- Varied job profiles: Registered medical assistants have a wide range of different work environments to choose from. They can either do administrative tasks or clinical duties, depending on the facility they are working in. Some are even required to do both. RMAs can also work in a specialized medical department such as gynecology, pediatrics, etc.
- Less competition: Employers tend to choose credentialed medical assistants over non-credentialed as they can offer more services and can perform certain tasks they are allowed to do by the state law. Thus, being credentialed as an RMA can help you stand out in the crowd.
- Increased demand: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Jobs are expected to rise from 764,400 in 2022 to 872,900 in 2032.
- Flexible hours: Other healthcare professionals like doctors or nurses have an intense work schedule, which is extremely unpredictable. Whereas their medical assistant counterparts have more flexible hours, they can even choose to work part-time.
What are the Education and Training Requirements?
Education: Applicants must have enrolled and graduated from a medical assisting program within the past 4 years. The program must have 720 clock hours and an externship of 160 clock hours in its curriculum. The training program must be accredited by an agency approved by the US Department of Education (DoE). Applicants are also required to submit their final transcripts from the school to verify their graduation status.
On Job Training: Applicants with work experience are eligible to take the exam if they have been employed as a medical assistant by an authorized physician or a healthcare facility within the last 5 years. The work experience is required to be full time. Applicants must also be certified in CPR training accredited by the American Heart Association. High school diploma, documented work experience, and a valid CPR card copy must be submitted by the applicant.
Certification Exam: Considering the applicants meet the given eligibility criteria, they must apply for the exam online and then schedule it. At the exam site, applicants are required to follow some identification procedures. They are required to bring a photo identification proof in the form of driver’s licensure, passport, state identification card, etc.
Skills required to become a Registered Medical Assistant
Needless to say, the demand for medical assistants is growing for a reason. They are incredibly sufficient for their employers, as they do it all from performing phlebotomy tasks to medical billing with a smile. The skills required to become a registered medical assistant are mentioned below, divided into administrative and clinical sectors:
Administrative:
- Having good communication skills
- Understanding insurance protocols and regulations
- Managing clinical emergencies
- Having skilled knowledge about technology
- Being able to console efficiently
Clinical:
- Being positive and empathetic in an intense environment
- Knowing how to use medical instruments
- Understanding and implementing sanitary protocols
- Ability to administer medications
- Desire to help people in need
Employers increasingly expect RMAs to be proficient with EHR/EMR systems, telehealth support, and cross-training in phlebotomy and diagnostic testing.”
Registered Medical Assistant vs Certified Medical Assistant
Both the registered and certified medical assistants have nationally recognized credentials. They have a lot of similarities as well as dissimilarities between them.
| Certified Medical Assistant | Registered Medical Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) | American Medical Technologists (AMT) |
| Eligibility | Graduates of a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES | Graduates of a medical assisting program within the past 4 years. Full-time work experience at a recognized facility within the past 5 years. |
| Renewal of Credential | Every 60 months | Annually |
| Exam fee | $125 | $120 |
| Recertification fee | $115 | $205 |
| Estimated salary | $38,819 | $39,119 |
| Recertification process | Continuing education or recertification exam | Certification Continuation Program (CCP) or recertification exam |
Job Duties of a Registered Medical Assistant
Medical assistants thrive on making the lives of other people much more manageable. They are empathetic individuals who deal with patients having severe illnesses or other problems. They work in a very intense environment where lives are on the stake; thus, there is no scope of any error.
Registered Medical Assistants mostly manage the administrative and clinical duties in a medical facility. These duties are varied in nature and depend on the job profile of the MA. Some require communication skills, while some need technological skills.
Job duties of a medical assistant:
Administrative duties:
- Managing schedules and appointments
- Communicating information to patients regarding diagnosis and treatment
- Determining insurance eligibility of the patient and implementing insurance protocols and regulations
- Recording the patient’s medical history
- Preparing medical charts
- Operating technological tasks such as scanning documents or using the EHR machine
Clinical duties:
- Taking vitals (height, weight, age, etc.)
- Administering injections or certain procedures advised by the physician
- Performing phlebotomy duties and laboratory tests
- Preparing medical rooms
- Sterilizing clinical instruments
- Disposing of contaminated supplies
- Instructing patients about medications and treatments
Job Growth and Prospects for RMA
The job growth for medical assistants is estimated to happen at a rate of 16% from 2021 to 2031, according to the data generated by the BLS. This job growth average for MAs is much higher than the average job growth of any other occupation, which is a result of increased demand for medical facilities and physicians.
The baby boomer generation is turning into senior citizens who are now prone to various disorders, medical conditions, viruses, etc. Therefore medical assistants are hired more and more to ensure the professional assistance of medical personnel.
Registered medical assistants can choose from various career specialties as they can work in specified medical departments such as gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, and podiatry clinics, as per their interest. They can also choose to work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, rehabilitation centers, etc.
Career Trends
Registered medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties in various healthcare facilities. There are many other career advancement opportunities and jobs available for medical assistants, such as medical assistant instructors, registered nurses, healthcare administrators, and many more. These options are available for the betterment of their future so that MAs can use their full potential to survive in this competitive age.
How Much do Registered Medical Assistants Make?
| Industry | Hourly wage (median) | Annual wage (median) |
|---|---|---|
| Offices of physicians | $19.14 | $39,810 |
| Medical & surgical hospitals | $20.19 | $41,990 |
| Outpatient care centers | $22.75 | $47,320 |
| Colleges & universities | $20.70 | $43,050 |
| Notes: These figures represent median wages across the U.S. Actual salaries vary by state, employer, and experience. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Medical Assistants (May 2023). |
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Recertification Requirements
To maintain RMA status, certificants must:
-
Pay an annual renewal fee of $65 (as of 2025).
-
Comply with the Certification Continuation Program (CCP) every 3 years by earning 30 CCP points through continuing education, employment, and professional development activities.
Failure to maintain compliance requires retaking the RMA exam. The recertification exam fee is approximately $205.
The recertification by CCP application must be submitted with supporting documentation that verifies participation in all stated activities totaling the required number of points. The application for the recertification program must be processed. Applicants will have to follow the same steps they took initially for the RMA certification exam. A recertification fee of $204 must be paid, and 30 points must be obtained to comply with the certification continuation program.
Many students ask about the differences between Certified Medical Assistant (CMA, AAMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA, AMT). While both credentials validate core clinical and administrative skills, there are important differences in exam format, renewal requirements, fees, and employer recognition.
The table below highlights the key differences between CMA and RMA certification in 2025, so you can choose the path that best matches your career goals.
| Criteria | CMA (AAMA) | RMA (AMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Certifying Body | American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) | American Medical Technologists (AMT) |
| Eligibility | Graduate of a CAAHEP/ABHES-accredited program | Education, Work Experience, Military, or Instructor routes |
| Exam Format | 200 multiple-choice questions Computer-based Scaled score 425/800 required |
200–210 multiple-choice questions Computer-based ~70% required to pass |
| Exam Fee | ≈ $125 (AAMA, 2025) | ≈ $135 (AMT, 2025) |
| Renewal Cycle | Every 5 years (Exam retake OR 60 CEUs) |
Annual renewal ($65) CCP points every 3 years |
| Recertification Fee | ≈ $115 (by CEU route) | ≈ $205 (recert exam, if required) |
| Median Salary (BLS, May 2023) | $39,610 (varies by state/employer) | Comparable to CMA (~$39k–$40k) |
| Recognition | Widely recognized; considered “gold standard” | Recognized in many states, strong alternative credential |
| Notes: Fees and requirements are approximate and may vary. Always confirm with the official certification body (AAMA or AMT) for the latest updates. | ||
Both the CMA (AAMA) and the RMA (AMT) are respected credentials for medical assistants. The CMA is often considered the “gold standard” certification, especially in larger hospitals and physician groups, while the RMA provides a flexible alternative with multiple eligibility routes.
If you are just starting your career or plan to work in highly competitive healthcare settings, the CMA (AAMA) may offer broader recognition. However, for candidates with prior work experience, military training, or non-traditional education paths, the RMA (AMT) is an excellent option that can open doors to the same types of clinical and administrative roles.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your background, career goals, and employer preferences. Many professionals even pursue additional credentials over time to strengthen their résumés.
Written by : Casey Gardner
Casey Gardner is both a healthcare support professional and an accomplished content creator. She has been working as a certified health care professional with marketable skills as a physician assistant, and a qualified medical assistant for last two decades. She has dedicated her nursing career to produce over hundreds of content pieces since 2001, and her work has been published both online as well as offline.
