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Check Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following routes to be eligible for RMA certification. All applicants must pass the AMT examination for RMA, to become certified.

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Once you are eligible, you can apply!

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Application Fee*

RMA
$150
  • Submit a separate application for each certification.
  • *Fees are non-refundable and include application, exam and first annual fee.

Prepare

Utilize AMT study resources to increase testing confidence.

Medical Assistant (RMA)

Take the Exam

Once you receive notice from AMT with approval, you may proceed.

Schedule Exam
  • If you are taking the exam at school, your instructor will provide the exam date and time.
  • If you are taking the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center location, you will schedule your own exam.

RMA Eligibility Routes

Education Route ▼

Applicant shall be a graduate within the past 4 years or scheduled to graduate from an accredited MA program* or program that is housed within an accredited institution.

  • Must have 720 hours of instruction that includes at least 160 hours of externship
*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education, The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or otherwise approved by AMT.

Required Documentation:

  • Official final transcripts from the school showing graduation from an MA program

Competency & Work-Based Learning Route▼

Applicant shall have completed, within the last four years, a hybrid education/work experience medical assisting program that has EITHER:

OR

  • A combination of didactic and clinical experience to equal 720 total hours (160 hours of externship as a minimum)
  • Shall have completed a structured, approved alternative training course that is a minimum of 500 hours in duration, which must include at least 160 hours of externship experience

AND shall have demonstrated practical competence through a structured competency evaluation process that reflects mastery of required skills and knowledge defined by the medical assisting practice role.

*All acceptable programs must be approved by AMT as meeting or surpassing AMT criteria for medical assisting competencies.

Required Documentation:

  • Official documentation showing completion of an eligible hybrid program, (such as a secondary school program, structured workforce development program, or government-approved apprenticeship program).
  • Medical Assisting Competency Checklist attesting to the successful completion of the required Medical Assisting skills.
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front and back). CPR training must include both theoretical and in-person demonstration of CPR proficiency.

Work Experience Route ▼

Applicant shall be employed as a medical assistant for a minimum of 3 years within the past 7 years.

  • 3 years of full-time employment at 36 hours per week is the equivalent of 5,616 hours.
  • Experience must include both clinical and administrative duties.

Required Documentation:

  • A copy of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • RMA Employment Verification Form documenting 3 years of full-time experience within the last 7 years that includes both clinical and administrative duties
  • Valid CPR card (copy of front and back). CPR training must include both theoretical and in-person demonstration of CPR proficiency.

Military Route ▼

Applicant shall be a recent graduate, or scheduled to graduate from a formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces.

  • Must have graduated within the last 4 years.

Required Documentation:

  • Copy of Joint Services Transcript or DD214 (If discharged) showing graduation from a formal training program

Instructor Route ▼

Applicant shall be currently instructing in an accredited medical assisting program*, shall have completed a course of instruction in a healthcare discipline related to medical assisting, and shall have a minimum of 5 years of full-time teaching experience in a medical assisting discipline that encompasses a range of both clinical and administrative competencies that are broadly representative of core medical assisting duties.

An applicant who has less than 5 years of teaching experience, but more than one year, shall provide documentation of at least 3 years of full-time clinical work experience in a healthcare profession in which the scope of practice is commensurate with, or exceeds, the medical assisting scope of practice.

*Program or institution is accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education, The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or otherwise approved by AMT.

Required Documentation:

If Instructing 5 + years:
  • A copy of your transcript showing completion of a course of instruction in a healthcare discipline related to medical assisting
  • RMA Employment Verification Form documenting 5 years of work experience instructing a medical assisting program within the past 7 years, which is verified by AMT
If Instructing less than 5 years:
  • A copy of your transcript showing completion of a course of instruction in a healthcare discipline related to medical assisting
  • RMA Employment Verification Form documenting:
    • More than 1 year of current work experience instructing a medical assisting program, which is verified by AMT
    • 3 years of full-time clinical experience within the last 7 years, which is verified by AMT

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