Although the following is not a legal question, it is one that I and other AAMA staff are asked frequently by graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES):
I graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting program seven years ago and have been working as a medical assistant since that time. However, I have never taken the CMA (AAMA)® Certification Exam. Am I too late to do so?
Anyone in this position is not too late to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. An individual who graduated from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program is permitted to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam regardless of when the individual graduated. Please click on “CMA (AAMA) Exam” from any webpage on the AAMA website as well as the Exam Eligibility Requirements webpage for information about eligibility requirements for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam.
Legal Eye 
I graduated Everest College in December of 2007. I was told I didn’t need to take the CMA exam. I’m currently working but I need to become certified is it too late.
No, it is not too late. Could you please email me the address of the Everest College from which you graduated in 2007. My email address is dbalasa@aama-ntl.orgdbalasa@aama-ntl.org
Donald A Balasa JD MBA
CEO and House Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
dbalasa@aama-ntl.orgdbalasa@aama-ntl.org
Can you tell me if my school qualifies for the AAMA test? I graduated from Moreno Valley College in Moreno Valley, CA. I got my certificate on July 2021. Is it too late to take the test?
Thank you for your question. One of my staff colleagues in the Certification Department will respond to your question.
Donald A Balasa JD MBA
CEO and House Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
dbalasa@aama-ntl.orgdbalasa@aama-ntl.org
Thank you I would really appreciate it.
You are very welcome!
Donald A Balasa JD MBA
CEO and House Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
dbalasa@aama-ntl.orgdbalasa@aama-ntl.org
I graduated Everest College in 2015. I’m currently working in the medical field but I need to become certified, is it too late for me to take the certification?