How Long is a Medical Assistant Certification Good For?
May 20, 2025
- Factors influencing certification validity
- Certifying organization
- State requirements
- Work experience and continuing education
- What happens when medical assistant certification expires?
- How to renew your medical assistant certification
- How to maintain your medical assistant certification
- When to consider getting certified again
Medical Assistant certifications are essential for validating your skills and qualifications in the healthcare field. However, these certifications are not permanent and need to be renewed periodically to ensure you remain up-to-date with industry standards and best practices.
In this article, we’ll explain how long a medical assistant certification is valid and the steps you need to take to maintain your certification.
Factors influencing certification validity
If you’ve earned your medical assistant certification, you might be wondering how long medical assistant certifications remain valid. Like many healthcare certifications, medical assistant credentials don’t last forever and require periodic renewal.
In this article, we'll explore the factors that influence the validity of your certification and what you need to do to maintain it throughout your career.
Certifying organization
The length of time your medical assistant certification is valid largely depends on the certifying organization. Different organizations have varying renewal policies.
For example, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) typically requires certification renewal every five years, while the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) may require it every two years. It’s important to check the specific requirements of the certifying body that issued your certification.
State requirements
In addition to the certifying organization’s rules, state requirements may also influence the validity of your certification.
Some states have specific regulations regarding how long your certification remains valid and may require additional state-level exams or continuing education to maintain your credentials. Always check with your state’s board of health or nursing for any local requirements that might affect your certification.
Work experience and continuing education
To keep your certification valid, you’ll often need to meet certain work experience and continuing education (CEU) requirements.
Many organizations require medical assistants to complete a certain number of CEUs or to have worked in a clinical setting within a specific time frame to be eligible for recertification. These requirements help ensure that you remain knowledgeable and up-to-date in your field.
What happens when medical assistant certification expires?
In Florida, if your medical assistant certification (from organizations like the AAMA, NHA, or other credentialing bodies) expires, you will likely need to retake and pass the certification exam to regain your certification. The specific steps you need to follow depend on how long the certification has been expired and the requirements set by the certifying organization.
Some organizations may also require you to complete continuing education credits before you can recertify, ensuring that you stay current with industry standards and practices. It’s important to check with your certification body to understand the exact steps for reinstating your certification after it expires, taking into account how to pass CCMA exam in the first place.
How to renew your medical assistant certification
In Florida, renewing your medical assistant certification generally involves completing the required continuing education (CEUs) and paying a renewal fee. The exact renewal process varies depending on the certifying organization, such as the NHA, AAMA, or AMT.
Typically, you’ll need to submit proof of completed CEUs, which ensures you’ve stayed current with the latest practices in the healthcare field. Additionally, each organization sets its own renewal fees, which must be paid to process your recertification. Be sure to check with the certifying body for detailed instructions on the renewal process, including deadlines and required documentation.
How to maintain your medical assistant certification
To maintain your medical assistant certification in Florida, you must meet specific recertification requirements to jump on the medical assitant career ladder, which can vary depending on the certifying organization, such as AAMA, AMT, or NHA.
These requirements often include earning continuing education credits (CEUs) to ensure you stay up-to-date with healthcare practices. Additionally, some organizations may require you to retake the certification exam at regular intervals.
Along with CEUs and potential exam retakes, you will also need to pay renewal fees to maintain your certification status. Be sure to check with your certifying body for the most current requirements, as they can change over time.
When to consider getting certified again
In Florida, where medical assistant certification isn't mandatory, you would typically consider recertification when your current certification expires or if you're seeking professional advancement. While certification is not required by law, obtaining and maintaining it can boost your credibility and job prospects.
Specific renewal requirements vary depending on the certifying body, such as the AAMA, NHA, or AMT, but many organizations require recertification every two to five years. This often involves completing continuing education or retaking the certification exam to ensure your skills are up-to-date with industry standards, also people must know how much does it cost to become a medical assistant .
