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InsightHorizon Digest

What is the difference between RMA and CMA

Author

Andrew Mccoy

Updated on March 31, 2026

CMA refers to Certified Medical Assistant, while RMA is Registered Medical Assistant. CMA is awarded by the AAMA, while RMA is awarded by the AMT. Certain medical institutions in particular states only recognize the CMA, and tend to disregard the RMA, for instance, in Southern California.

What pays better RMA or CMA?

Both the CMA and RMA certifications allow you to apply for the same roles. There is no substantial difference in pay for medical assistants who have either certification. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants earned a median annual salary of $35,850 in 2020.

Which is better RMA or CCMA?

The AMT RMA exam works best for post-secondary medical assisting programs, especially in areas where medical assistants need both administrative and clinical skills. The NHA CCMA exam is a great fit for both post-secondary and high school CTE medical assistant courses focused on clinical medical assisting skills.

Is RMA higher than CMA?

The Medical Assistant may choose to be registered (R.M.A) or certified (CMA). These designations merely depend on the organization to which she or he belongs. There is no qualitative difference between the two credentials simply because one uses the “Registered” and the other uses the “Certified” title.

Which medical assistant certification is best?

1. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the CMA exam is perhaps the most popular and most widely recognized of the Medical Assistant Certifications.

How much does a RMA make a year?

Annual SalaryHourly WageTop Earners$47,500$2375th Percentile$39,500$19Average$35,511$1725th Percentile$29,000$14

What is the average salary of a CMA?

Management LevelMedian Base SalaryMiddle100,000Lower73,717All Levels105,000

Can a RMA draw blood?

Medical assistants typically work in ambulatory care settings. California medical assistants are prohibited from working in general acute care hospital inpatient units (Beyond the scope details). … Medical assistants may perform blood draws and/ or injections if they have the specific training denoted in state code.

Is a RMA a nurse?

In some states, to become a CMA, requires one to be a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). However, Medical Assistant certifications do not make one a full nurse. … CMA refers to Certified Medical Assistant, while RMA is Registered Medical Assistant. CMA is awarded by the AAMA, while RMA is awarded by the AMT.

What can a RMA do?
  • Prepare patients for treatment and exams.
  • Assist physicians during patient visits.
  • Obtain medical information such as vital signs, weight and height.
  • Collect blood samples.
  • Perform basic laboratory tests.
  • Take electrocardiograms.
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How long does it take to become a CMA?

It takes at least six years to become a CMA as you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree, gain two years of relevant work experience and pass the CMA exam. Your two years of work experience must be in a role that is relevant to the CMA certification such as accounting, finance, budgeting or auditing.

Whats the difference between a CMA and a CCMA?

The primary difference is a CMA is certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants, while a CCMA pursues certification through the National Healthcare Association. A CMA may perform more administrative work than a certified clinical medical assistant.

What's next after medical assistant?

With experience, medical assistants can specialize and move into leadership roles, filling another vital healthcare workforce need. By advancing their education, they can become healthcare managers, healthcare administrators, nurses and more. Ready to take your healthcare career to the next level?

Can a CCMA give injections?

Yes. After receiving the appropriate training as indicated in the first question, medical assistants are allowed to administer vaccinations in a clinic or physician’s office settings.

Which is best MBA or CMA?

CMA vs MBAParametersCMAMBAAuthorized BodyInstitute of Management AccountantsAny Reputed Management University

Can CMA become rich?

Freshers, who clear the CMA exam on the first attempt, can get a starting salary of Rs 7 lakh per annum on average. These numbers can go as high as Rs 20 lakh, too. Those who clear the CMA exam in the second attempt can start off with an average annual package of Rs 3-4 lakh.

Is CMA difficult to pass?

How Hard is the CMA Exam? The CMA exam is very difficult and it will test your intellectual limits. The industry average CMA pass rate for both sections is only 45%, meaning less than half of the people taking the test will pass.

What are the benefits of becoming a CMA or an RMA?

  • Excellent Job Outlook. …
  • Get Started without a Degree. …
  • Have a Job You Love. …
  • You Can Work in Any State. …
  • You Can Work in Diverse Environments. …
  • Springboard to Advanced Healthcare Professions.

What can nurses do that medical assistants Cannot?

Nurses work under their own license, which enables them to perform a wider range of duties than medical assistants. In addition to providing basic patient care, nurses can perform procedures, such as starting intravenous lines and administering advanced medications like chemotherapy.

What is an RMA degree?

Definition. A Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) is a medical assistant who has passed the AMT Certification Exam and has been awarded the credential of RMA.

Can a CMA draw blood?

The simple answer is no, medical assistants don’t draw blood, not unless they’ve received additional training. A medical assistant certificate that only covers traditional medical assistant skills doesn’t provide the training needed to draw blood.

Can a medical assistant start an IV?

Medical assistants are not allowed to administer medications or injections into the IV line.

Which is better phlebotomy or medical assistant?

Medical assistants earn, on average, $15.61 per hour, whereas phlebotomists earn $17.61 per hour. However, unlike phlebotomists, medical assistants are able to earn more as they gain experience and become specialized in area of medicine, like pediatrics or cardiology.

Is CMA higher than CNA?

The average CNA makes between $25,000 and $30,000 per year. The average CMA makes between $30,000 and $35,000 per year, a difference between 20 percent and 40 percent.

How much does the CMA exam cost?

Financial Cost CMA exam fees are $300 or $350 per part, depending on how you register and when you take the exams, for a total of $600 or $700.

How many levels are there in CMA?

CMA has three levels which are Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. After qualifying these three levels, you become a CMA.

Can a CCMA work in a hospital?

CCMA’s can work at clinics, urgent care facilities, dental offices, nursing homes, chiropractic offices, hospitals, insurance companies.

What is the highest paid medical assistant job?

IndustryAverage Hourly PayAverage Annual SalaryMedical & Diagnostic Laboratories$19.69$40,960Outpatient Care Centers$18.84$39,190Hospitals$17.88$37,190Offices of physicians$17.06$35,490

Can you bridge from CMA to LPN?

Can a Medical Assistant Bridge to LPN? … You must complete an approved LPN program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam. There are few, if any, programs at post-secondary schools that are specifically designed to bridge medical assistants into a career as an LPN.

Is Medical Assisting a good career?

It pays great and it’s stable Being in a high-demand industry has advantages: It’s a very stable career, and the pay trends high. The average wage for a medical assistant is currently $32,946, and ranges between $30,377 and $35,570.

How long is the CCMA good for?

How Do I Renew my CCMA Certification? Recertification with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is required every two years and requires that certified Medical Assistants complete ten (10) hours of continuing education credits.