What’s the AAMA?
Since 1955, the American Association of Medical Assistants or the AAMA, has been around. It’s an organization that focuses on medical assistants and their profession. The AAMA strives to aid medical assistants in being the absolute best they can be.
History of the Certification
Although the organization had already been open for six years, the Certifying Board did not come to existence until 1961. A year later, the board created an examination for all medical assistants who wanted to receive a certification. During the convention held by the association, a sample of the exam was given; however, medical assistants didn’t receive any credit for the test. The following year, Florida, California and Kansas were the first states to offer the certification exam. Three years later, the AAMA implemented a standard for the curriculum of medical assistants.
In 1975, the committee added three tests to the certification program, which include the already established basic test and an administrative, a pediatric and a clinical exam. By 2005, part of the re-certification process consisted of CPR testing.
Eligibility Requirements
You must complete a medical assistant training program from an accredited school prior to taking the certification examination. Part of the requirements include completing a practicum, meaning that a person must have some experience working as an MA.
Applying to Take the Test
If you wish to register for the certification test, you can do so online by filling out the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES); you will receive a discount on the application fee. Instead of the $250 that all others pay, you’ll only be required to pay a fee of $125.
After you apply for the test, you must wait for the AAMA to respond with an acceptance letter. When you receive the letter, you then have a 90-day period when you can schedule to take the exam. Your acceptance letter arrives 20 days before the 90 days you have to take the test. Schedule yourself for a testing date as soon after the letter comes as you possibly can. You must log in to obtain the scheduling permit. When you have it, use it to schedule and make sure you bring it with you to your appointment.