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November (1) | 2023

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Facebook Faves


Here’s a question we posed on Facebook and a few favorite responses:


Q: “What is your favorite specialty to work in as a medical assistant?”


  • “I’ve been with [urogynecology] for the past two years and love it! Primary care for 15 [years] prior to this. [Primary care definitely] set the foundation for success in a specialty office!”
  • “Family medicine! I enjoy caring for the patients, and … we get to care for the babies as well.”
  • “I work for a pediatric pulmonologist who is also [board certified] in sleep medicine and infectious disease. I love working with kids and babies!"

Why the Certifying Board of the AAMA and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board Are Accountable to Third Parties


The Certifying Board (CB) of the American Association of Medical Assistants® and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) must have autonomy in policy decision-making to remain accredited and recognized by third parties. For this reason, the AAMA Board of Trustees does not have the authority to override the policy decisions of the CB and MAERB.


Read “Why the Certifying Board of the AAMA and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board Are Accountable to Third Parties,” the Public Affairs article in the May/June 2023 issue of CMA Today, to learn about why these requirements exist and read relevant supporting materials.

Read the Public Affairs Article

First-Time Recertifiers: Include Pre-earned Recertification Points When Recertifying by CE


Are you recertifying for the first time? A policy from the Certifying Board of the AAMA allows you to apply a limited number of recertification points earned prior to your initial certification toward your first time recertifying!


If you are an initial certificant, you may apply a maximum of 20 recertification points (AAMA-approved points or non-AAMA-approved points) earned in the three months prior to initial certification toward recertification.


Other recertification policies, such as 30 of the 60 recertification points being from AAMA CEUs, and at least 10 certification points being from each of the general, administrative, and clinical categories, remain in effect. Course credits earned and required for graduation from a medical assisting program cannot be used toward initial recertification.


Reference the CMA (AAMA) Recertification by Continuing Education Application for the requirements that points must follow to qualify for non-AAMA-approved points.

Peruse Recertification Policies

Alternative Pathway for the CMA (AAMA)® Certification Exam


Do you have medical assisting coworkers, colleagues, or friends who aren’t CMAs (AAMA)® because they were ineligible to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam?


Those medical assistants may be eligible to reach new heights as a CMA (AAMA) through the alternative pathway, which allows graduates of postsecondary (college-level) medical assisting programs and college-level medical assisting apprenticeship programs to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam if the program meets certain requirements.



Share information with medical assistants in your area!

Explore the Alternative Pathway

Check Your Deadline for

Recertifying via Continuing Education

Recertifying your CMA (AAMA)® credential via continuing education (CE)? Avoid missing the deadlinemake sure you know the last day you can apply to recertify by CE. Review the CMA (AAMA) Recertification by Continuing Education Application and apply to recertify by CE online or by mail.


Has your CMA (AAMA) certification expired? Check the “Last Date to Apply by Continuing Education Timelines” table on the “Recertification Policies” webpage, and see whether you are still eligible to recertify by CE.

News for Volunteer Leaders

News for volunteer leaders will now be shared in its own monthly e-blast. All current AAMA officers (chapter, state society, and national levels) are automatically subscribed to the monthly leadership e-blasts. 


If you’re not currently an officer but you’re interested in keeping your finger on the pulse or dipping your toes into AAMA leadership, you can subscribe!

Subscribe to AAMA Leader Insider

Featured AAMA Continuing Education Products

From the Heart: Organ and Tissue Donors Provide a Lifesaving Gift


Explore the history of organ transplantation, the organ and tissue donation process, and the personal experiences of organ donation recipients. Examine the misconceptions about organ donation and experts’ hopes for the future of transplant medicine.


2 CEUs (gen/clin)



$20 for AAMA members and $30 for AAMA nonmembers.


Visit the AAMA e-Learning Center to browse the full catalog of online courses.

Earn an ABC in Allied Health Education


Whether you’re exploring an interest in medical assisting education or allied health education, beginning a career in teaching, or looking for new ways to improve as a longtime educator, completing the Assessment-Based Certificate Program in Allied Health Education (ABC-AHE) is right for you! Begin the program via the AAMA e-Learning Center.

Featured Blog Posts

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Ahead of the Curve: How to Plan for Your Certification Deadline



Want to recertify your CMA (AAMA)® credential before it expires but need a plan of action? Learn strategies such as using a day planner, building a supportive community of CMAs (AAMA), and practicing self-care.

Read More
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Boards of Nursing Should Authorize APRNs to Delegate to Medical Assistants


Learn about how regulation amendments by the Delaware and South Dakota Boards of Nursing allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to delegate to knowledgeable and competent medical assistants who have met specified education and certification requirements certain types of administration of medication.

Read More
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