There are 2 medical assistant programs in Mississippi accredited by the CAAHEP and ABHES where you can begin your medical assistant certification.
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Medical Assistant Certification in Mississippi
Even though you’re able to lawfully be employed as a Medical Assistant in Mississippi with no certification, to be competitive in the employment market nearly all Medical Assistants are certified because employers frequently require certification. The AMA (American Medical Association) acknowledges 2 certifications for medical assistants, the CMA or Certified Medical Assistant and the RMA or Registered Medical Assistant. Possessing one of these certifications will significantly increase your career opportunities and earnings.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the association that provides the certification giving official credentials of CMA. To attain a RMA certificate, you need to complete the certification procedure provided by AMT (American Medical Technologists). Below are the requirements needed for both the CMA and RMA certificates.
Certification Requirement | CMA | RMA |
|---|---|---|
| Meet 1 of the eligibility requirements. (CMA requires graduating a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program, RMA also offers eligibility from military education, work experience and instructing.) | View Eligibility Details | View Eligibility Details |
| Submit required supporting documentation for exam application process. | Documents | Documents |
| Apply for exam and pay application fee. | Application, $125 | Application, $120 |
| Schedule your exam date. | Schedule | Schedule |
| Complete your exam. (Upon completion, the CMA exam will show whether you pass/failed immediately and RMA exams taken online will provide your actual score immediately.) | Yes | Yes |
| Wait 8-10 weeks (CMA candidates will receive official test scores at this time and RMA candidates will receive their certification.) | Yes | Yes |
| Passing CMA applicants then wait another 10 weeks after receiving scores to receive their certification and card. | Yes | No |
| You have the ability to retest if you fail for both the CMA and RMA | Retest info | Retest info |
| Continuing Education, membership fees, and recertification are required for both the CMA and RMA | Recertify info | Recertify info |
AAMA Mississippi Chapter Contact Info
Mississipi doesn’t have an independent society for medical assistants, so you can learn more through their chapter of the American Association for Medical Assistants here.
Why Be a CMA in Mississippi?
Medical assistants in Mississippi have a number of accredited MA programs to choose from as well as competitive medical assistant salaries across the state. Learn more on these pages:
- Research Mississippi’s accredited MA Programs
- Compare average CMA Salaries in Mississippi’s major cities
Explore Medical Assistant Programs & Careers in Mississippi:
