Start your medical assisting career in Rhode Island with all the necessary resources right here on this page. Reports created by the BLS show Rhode Island having 2,900 medical assistants working and earning $33,730 on average. Boasting an approximated 23 percent increase through 2024, the medical assistant profession is growing rapidly.
More CMA Info for Rhode Island:
See Medical Assistant Certification by state
Medical Assistant Certification in Rhode Island
Though you can lawfully work as a Medical Assistant in Rhode Island without certification, to be competitive in the employment market most Medical Assistants are certified because employers often require certification. The American Medical Association – AMA acknowledges 2 certificates for medical assistants, the CMA – Certified Medical Assistant and the RMA or Registered Medical Assistant. Earning either certification will greatly increase your career opportunities and earnings.
The AAMA – American Association of Medical Assistants is the association that offers the certification giving the credentials of CMA. To attain a RMA certification, you need to complete the certificate process provided by AMT (American Medical Technologists). The chart just below displays the requirements needed for both the RMA and CMA certifications.
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 Contact Info
Rhode Island doesn’t have an independent society for medical assistants, so you can learn more through the American Association for Medical Assistants here.
Why Be a CMA in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island offers competitive salaries for medical assistants as well as accredited MA programs. Learn more about a medical assisting career in Rhode Island on these pages:
