Recertification Guidelines

CCMA-A, C, & AC

The purpose of recertification is to ensure that medical assistants certified by CCBMA continue to maintain the level of knowledge tested at the time of initial certification and demonstrate growth in their specialty areas with continued education and training. It ensures that certificants maintain a commitment to learning. Recertification encourages career development by staying abreast of evolving knowledge/skills and promotes continual awareness of patient safety and protection.

To achieve recertification, a certificant must earn 60 CEUs during the five-year period preceding your application. You are also required to submit proof of current CPR certification. One contact hour (60 minutes of classroom instruction) equals one credit.

As a courtesy CCBMA offers a one year grace period to certificants who are missing credits to comply with recertification requirements. Your certification will be considered inactive. You will also be required to pay a $75 certification reactivation fee along with the recertification fee of $200.

Please note that in addition to current recertification guidelines, all recertifying CCMA’s are required to show proof of HIPAA and Cultural Competency training (as part of the required 60 CEUs).

You must log in to your account to complete a recertification application and upload all required credits and pay the recertification fee.

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Submit Credits

Administrative Requirements (CCMA-A)

30 basic
15 administrative
15 basic or administrative or clinical

Clinical Requirements (CCMA-C)

30 basic
15 clinical
15 basic or administrative or clinical

Administrative & Clinical Requirements (CCMA-AC)

30 basic
15 administrative
15 clinical

Credit Categories

Basic

Credits in this category apply to all medical assistants.

Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology
Examples:

Basics of disease (e.g., shingles, asthma, migraines, diabetes, congestive heart failure, etc.)
Smoking cessation
Women’s health
Structure and function of the body

Technical References
Examples:

Who is a required reporter
Generational studies
General information about medications and their reactions

Psychological Aspects of Medical Assisting
Examples:

Stress management
The medical office professional
Making the most of your skills

Professional Development
Examples:

Team building
Leadership
Career success
Spanish or other foreign language

Law and Ethics
Examples:

Programs on ethical and legal implications of medical assisting
Medical assistants scope of practice
HIPAA
Identity theft

Patient Education
Examples:

Drugs and the elderly
Diet and nutrition
Helping the patient prepare for surgery
Chaperoning
Cultural awareness

Administrative

Credits in this category apply to the front-office medical assistant.

Secretarial Skills, Scheduling and Office Equipment
Examples:

The business professional’s grammar and writing workshop
Professional telephone techniques
Use and care of office machines
Scheduling systems
Front desk safety and security
Collection of patient demographics under HIPAA regulations
Insurance authorizations and referrals
Bad email habits: what message are you sending?

Records Management
Examples:

Converting from paper to electronic medical records
Document scanning and indexing in the EHR
HIPAA and records security
Retention and destruction of medical records

Computer Concepts
Examples:

Basic and/or advanced software techniques (e.g., Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)
Computer troubleshooting and IT skills for beginners
Health information technology

Managing Practice Finances
Examples:

Accounts receivable management
Electronic banking and cash management
Essentials of collections law, finance and accounting for non-financial people
Statistics – how to evaluate your medical practice’s numbers

Insurance Billing & Coding
Examples:

Terminology for coders
Basic introduction to ICD10-CM
Mastering modifiers
EOB analysis
Successful claims appeals
The art of medical compliance facilities/time

Time & Facilities Management
Examples:

Inventory procedures and supply purchase tips
Don’t procrastinate – effective administrative organizational skills

Clinical

Credits in this category apply to the back-office medical assistant.

Infection Control
Examples:

Assisting the Physician/Patient Preparation
Examples:

Back office safety in the exam room
SDS
Inventory procedures for drugs and supplies

The Patient History
Examples:

Documentation guidelines
Essential clinical parts of a medical record

Collecting, Testing & Processing Specimens
Examples:

Administering Medications
Examples:

Immunizations update
Injection technique
Drug classification
Drug calculation
*Please note that general information about drugs is NOT considered clinical education.

Office Emergencies
Examples:

Emergencies
CPR/first aid
Abdominal thrusts
Crash carts

Please be aware that credits that are not within the scope of practice for a California Certified Medical Assistant (e.g., EMT, CNA, radiology tech, dental, massage therapy and spiritual healing) will be denied. We may give partial credit if the complete course outline is included with the application and the training is within the scope of practice for a California Certified Medical Assistant.

Earning Credits

There are many ways to obtain credits. The Board does not restrict where you get your continuing educational training. However, we do require that all training be within the scope of practice for a California Certified Medical Assistant.

College Courses, Online Courses & Other Programs

In addition to college units, online courses and local programs that provide training such as CPR, first aid, computer classes, etc., may also count for credit, provided the subject matter is within the scope of practice for a California medical assistant. Credits for courses are as follows:

One contact hour (60 minutes of classroom instruction): 1 credit
One college semester unit: 18 credits
One college quarter unit: 12 credits

Remember to upload your proof of completion as you go. If your credits are from college courses or from an online source, you will be required to provide proof with your application.

The proof must document:

Your name
Name of the provider of the program
Course name
Date of completion
Number of contact hours or credits issued

In the case of college courses, please provide an unofficial transcript showing the above and a passing score upon application for recertification.

Continuing Education Articles

We offer continuing education articles for purchase. The articles are placed into the correct category for you, which is helpful if you are short a few credits in a specific category. Visit our store to view the article selection.

We track CEU credits, self-assessment quizzes and articles purchased through the CCBMA. In order to receive credit, you must receive a score of 70% or greater. You will receive a printout of the CEUs on file each time you submit additional quizzes for grading and posting. If you wish to receive your quiz back, you must provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage.

Other Continuing Education Credits

Credit can be received for activities such attending HIPAA or OSHA annual trainings, converting medical record systems, or attending a seminar within the scope of practice for California Certified Medical Assistants. Training must be documented on office letterhead by your physician employer or practice administrator.

Documentation must include:

Your name
Name of the training
Date of training completion
Number of hours to complete training

Recertification Application Process

The review process can take up to 20 business days from submission of a completed application. If recertification is deferred, we will contact you regarding missing documentation. You may start the recertification process 3-6 months prior to the end your current "active to" date. You also have the option to expedite the review of your recertification application. The review will be done within 7 business days. This service costs an additional $75.

Once recertification is granted, you will receive a wallet card and a seal which can be attached to your original certificate. If you need a replacement certificate, wallet card or pin, please contact us.

Recertification Candidate Handbook

The CCBMA Candidate Handbook provides important information about the recertification process, policies, helpful resources and more.

Download (PDF)