Take the CMA (AAMA). why take both when the one covers all states??

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CMA (AAMA)

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

A RMA is someone who passed the AMT exam. A CMA has passed the AAMA exam. You are only registered or certified once you pass the exam. As a medical assistant student in college, with a 4.0 gpa, I studied Anatomy 1&2, physiology 1&2, Terminology 1&2, pharmacology 1&2, ICD9& CPT coding & insurance billing, beginning computers, help2 software, office procedures 1, as well as college 101 Math & English, Medical Law & Ethics, BLS CPR&AED certification, Psychology, Pathology, phlebotomy 1&2, Lab procedures 1&2, and had to complete a 160 internship before I could take the AMT exam & graduate.

Which here in Utah CMAs are only required to take part 1 of the required courses. RMAs are also required to take part 2. Depending on the school. Some schools only teach part 1 in some courses. If your college also teaches part 2, then you diffenately notice the difference in tuition

So, I don't agree that a RMA is less than a CMA!!! The only difference is the stupid letters "C&R" and employers or potential employers need to pull their heads out and realize that!!

I have worked with both "C&R" MAs and the difference was the person in general, not their credentials! It doesn't matter what letters you put after your name if you are not a people person, don't like blood or sick people then you shouldn't become either!!!

As a MA recruiter, I don't care about the "C&R". What I look for is a trained, qualified applicant who interviews well, are compassionate & devoted to providing quality patient care. I don't care what they look like on paper.

Also, make sure your training includes BLS CPR&AED certification, and whatever you get C or R make sure you keep up your CEUs & maintain your certification.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CNA,RMA

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

Hi everyone,

First of all, I would like to thank you all for clearing up a few misconceptions that I had regarding this whole situation. I am currently in the process of completing my Externship for my MA program. I have started applying for jobs, and unfortunately have had no luck. I recently received a "Thank you for applying but we regret to inform you that" letter. It basically stated that because my school was not in cahoots with the AAMA that I was not qualified for the position. I find it very sad that even though I will take my RMA exam that I may not be able to find a job because of the bias that a CMA is somehow more qualified then a RMA. I live northern Maine. I am thinking that in certain states they still have that old fashioned way of thinking? Does anyone have any thoughts on this? How can this double standard exist? And can it be legal? Thanks again everyone! You've been extraordinarily helpful.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? No

Both CMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) and RMA American Medical Technologists) require that you complete a program that is accredited by either ABHES (the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). If the program you attended is not eligible for CMA it not eligible for RMA either. Both CMA and RMA are certified titles, the main difference is that they come from two different certifying agencies but the credential has the same value.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA Extern

Are You Still In School? no, but am doing my externship

To qualify for RMA(AMT) certification:

1. Applicant shall be of good moral character.



2. Applicant shall be a recent graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from:

A. A medical assistant program that holds programmatic accreditation by (or is in a post-secondary school or college that holds institutional accreditation by) the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or

B. A medical assistant program in a post-secondary school or college that has institutional accreditation by a Regional Accrediting Commission or by a national accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education, which program includes a minimum of 720 clock-hours (or equivalent) of training in medical assisting skills (including a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours in duration), or

C. A formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces.

For Routes 2A, 2B or 2C, if the applicant graduated within the last four years, proof of work experience is not required. If graduated over four years ago, proof of current work experience is required.



D. Applicant shall have been employed in the profession of medical assisting for a minimum of five (5) years, no more than two (2) years of which may have been as an instructor in the post secondary medical assistant program (proof of current work experience and high school education or equivalent are required). Employment dates must be within the last five (5) years.



E. Applicant has passed a generalist medical assistant certification examination offered by another medical assisting certification agency (provided that exam has been approved for this purpose by the AMT Board of Directors) and who has been working in the medical assisting field for the past three out of five years and who has met all other AMT training and experience requirements (no further examination required).


These are the ways you can qualify to take your RMA exam through the AMT. The ONLY way to qualify for the CMA exam through the AAMA is if you have graduated from a program accredited by the ABHES or CAAHEP. This is why I am taking my RMA, but the Hospital that I applied at apparently doesn't understand that the CMA and RMA credentials are basically the same thing. I feel that this is unfair. Has anyone else had this issue?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Externship

Hi there, You can not call yourself a Medical Assistant until you're down with all your classes, and you have completely finished your externship and have graduated from your Medical Assistant program.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA, (NCCT), AS

Are You Still In School? No.

Are You Working? Yes.

So, what do medical assistants who haven't gone to school for medical assisting title themselves with? Are they not worthy of credentials? I was simply trying to find out if anyone else has had the same issues that I have been having during a job search.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA

I am in a CMA course. I am studying law/ethics, office procedures as well. True, microbiology is not in the curriculum, that is more lab work than anything (though, I plan on getting training later on for that). My degree plan includes comp and ret, algebra, computer science and college algebra (among other degree basics, which I have from previous college work). There are some differences in the instructional skills paths. But, really, I don't see any major differences between RMA and CMA credentials. Whichever way one decides to go, go for it. As long as you learn your job well, and remember that its the patients' well being that is the most important. Not the letters behind your name.

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? no

Please take the time to read most of the posts in this forum. This question has been asked time and time again and there are some really good responses from a number of people without me having to reiterate the RMA vs CMA issue. I am not trying to be rude, but there is a lot in this forum about this topic and I just wish everyone would take some time and read the previous posts. You are missing a LOT of good information.
Yes, it is true that some places want only CMA certified by AAMA. However, please read the post about this issue if you are having difficulty acquiring a job that wants only AAMA certified personnel. You will be surprised and pleased with the answer.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA(AMT), CMA(AAMA)

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

Ditto, Suzy, and very well said. I agree.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Forum Admin

Which credential is better depends on which is more recognized in the area of the country in which you want to work. Too bad it's like that because it can make it difficult if you decide you want to move. They are both just entry level credentials, though, so if you move upgrading is an option.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA, CNA, CPhT

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes