To become a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), you need to complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a 210-question certification exam administered by American Medical Technologists (AMT). The entire process, from starting school to earning your credential, typically takes one to two years depending on whether you pursue a certificate or associate degree.
What an RMA Actually Does
Medical assistants work in physician offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals, handling a mix of clinical and administrative tasks. On the clinical side, that means taking vital signs, drawing blood, preparing patients for exams, and assisting providers with procedures. On the administrative side, you’ll schedule appointments, manage medical records, handle insurance paperwork, and coordinate patient communications.
The RMA credential signals to employers that you’ve met a national standard of competency in both areas. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $44,200 in May 2024, and the field is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
Step 1: Complete a Medical Assisting Program
The most common path to the RMA is graduating from an accredited medical assisting program. AMT requires your program to include at least 720 hours of instruction, with a minimum of 160 hours spent in a clinical externship. That externship puts you in a real healthcare setting where you practice skills on actual patients under supervision.
These programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and career colleges. Certificate programs usually take about 9 to 12 months, while associate degree programs run closer to two years. Associate degrees include more general education coursework, which some employers prefer and which can make it easier to transfer credits if you decide to pursue further education later. Either format qualifies you for the RMA exam as long as the program meets AMT’s hour requirements.
When choosing a program, look for accreditation from agencies like ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). Accreditation matters because it ensures the curriculum covers what the certification exam tests and what employers expect you to know.
Step 2: Apply Through AMT
Once you’ve completed your program (or are nearing graduation), you submit your application through the AMT online portal. The application asks for your educational transcripts and proof of program completion. If you graduated within the last four years, your school sends official transcripts directly to AMT. If it’s been longer than four years, you can email a copy of your transcript, diploma, or certificate yourself.
After AMT reviews and approves your application, you’ll receive an email within 48 hours directing you to download your Pearson VUE Authorization Letter from your portal. This letter is your ticket to schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you. Annual certification renewal costs $75.
Step 3: Prepare for the Exam
The RMA exam contains 210 multiple-choice questions spread across four content areas:
- Clinical Patient Interaction: 33.8% of the exam. Covers patient communication, vital signs, specimen collection, and assisting with examinations.
- Administrative Medical Assisting: 26.7% of the exam. Covers scheduling, billing, coding, medical records management, and office procedures.
- Anatomy and Physiology: 20.9% of the exam. Tests your understanding of body systems, medical terminology, and how diseases affect the body.
- Clinical Procedural Tasks: 18.6% of the exam. Covers hands-on skills like phlebotomy, injections, EKGs, sterilization techniques, and lab procedures.
The heaviest weight falls on patient interaction and administrative skills, so focus your study time accordingly. AMT provides a detailed content outline on their website that breaks each category into specific topics. Practice exams and study guides from AMT or third-party publishers can help you identify weak spots before test day.
Step 4: Take and Pass the Exam
You’ll take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center on a computer. Your score appears on screen the moment you finish, and you’ll receive a printed score report before leaving the center. Keep that report for your records. If you pass, AMT processes your certification and you can begin using the RMA credential.
If you don’t pass on your first attempt, AMT allows retakes. Use your score report to pinpoint which content areas need more work before scheduling again.
Keeping Your Certification Active
The RMA isn’t a one-time credential. You need to pay a $75 annual renewal fee each year to keep your certification active. AMT also requires ongoing continuing education through their Certification Continuation Program (CCP). This means earning a set number of educational points during each certification cycle by attending workshops, completing online courses, or participating in professional development activities. Staying current ensures your skills and knowledge keep pace with changes in healthcare practice.
RMA vs. CMA: Which Credential to Choose
The two most common medical assistant certifications are the RMA from AMT and the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Both are nationally recognized, and both require passing a multiple-choice exam covering clinical tasks, administrative responsibilities, and medical ethics.
The CMA is one of the most widely recognized credentials in the field, but the RMA is equally accepted in many regions. Employer preference varies by location. Before deciding, check job postings in your area to see which credential local employers list more frequently. Some employers accept either one without preference, in which case you should choose the pathway that best fits your educational background and timeline. The CMA requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program specifically, while AMT’s eligibility routes for the RMA can be somewhat more flexible.
What a Typical Timeline Looks Like
If you’re starting from scratch, here’s a realistic timeline. Months 1 through 9 (or up to 24 for an associate degree) are spent in your medical assisting program, including your clinical externship. Within a few weeks of finishing your program, you can submit your AMT application. Approval and your authorization to test typically arrive within a couple of weeks. From there, you schedule your exam at a convenient time and location. Many people go from program completion to certified RMA in under two months.
For someone entering a certificate program today, you could realistically hold your RMA credential in about a year.