The Difference Between the CMA and RMA

The CMA or Certified Medical Assistant receives his certification from the AAMA or American Association of Medical Assistants. The RMA or Registered Medical Assistant is granted a certification by the American Medical Technologists who, in turn, are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

To qualify for the CMA, one has to be a graduating student or is a recent graduate of a medical assistant program recognized by  the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CMAs and RMAs mostly perform similar duties. Medical assistants are not required by law to be certified but most of them prefer to be certified because most employers look for certification among applicants and there are states that require certification so that medical assistants are allowed to carry out certain jobs like doing x-rays or draining blood.

Discounting a few states who enforce the accreditation requirement, a graduation certificate of a medical student from an accredited program is optional when he or she seeks employment in any state. The federal government and most states do not require a medical assistant to be accordingly educated formally in order to be hired. But medical students realize certain benefits if they are able to graduate from a formal training program. With a formal education, they have proof of having completed a program that is nationally recognized, their formal education is recognized by their professional peers and they possess eligibility to receive professional credentials like AAMA certification or AMT (American Medical Technologists) registration. Graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES are immediately eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) certification examination. Those who pass this exam become CMAS (AAMA). At the same time, graduates from CAAHEP or ABHES accredited programs are qualified to participate in the RMA exam conducted by the American Medical Technologists. Those who pass the exam  receive RMAs. A list of accredited programs of the CAAHEP and ABHES are published to notify the general public.

There is no difference between the CMAs and RMAs who have the same training programs and passed a national certification examination.. They just have two different certifying organizations from which one can choose which organization to train with. Medical assistants who do not possess a certification which is nationally recognized should give this a serious consideration. Being certified makes one feel secure, gives one better employment opportunities and a promise of higher pay. A feeling of confidence will help one perform better and encourage him or her to  being more supportive to those with one works with.