CMA (AAMA) Recertification: Points, Fees & Deadlines
The CMA (AAMA) credential renews every 60 months with 60 recertification points — 10 administrative, 10 clinical, 10 general, and 30 of any mix, at least half from AAMA-approved CEUs — or by retaking the exam. Recertification costs $80 for AAMA members and $160 for nonmembers.
- Cycle
- 60 months from the end of the month of certification or last recert
- Points
- 60 — 10 administrative / 10 clinical / 10 general / 30 any; ≥30 must be AAMA-approved CEUs
- Fee
- $80 member / $160 nonmember (by exam: $125/$250); expired adds $50 reactivation
- 90-day rule
- Expired >3 months = CE route closed; exam only
- Portal
- AAMA account
- Check your expiration dateCertifications expire at the end of the month, 60 months from initial certification or last recert.
- Tally points against 10/10/10/3010 administrative, 10 clinical, 10 general, and 30 of any mix — at least 30 of the 60 total must be AAMA-approved CEUs. The AAMA e-Learning Center fills gaps fastest because its CEUs are all AAMA-approved.
- Upload non-AAMA certificates earlyReview takes up to 30 days ($30 to expedite). Non-AAMA hours must be ≥1 contact hour and relevant to medical assisting.
- Apply online and pay$80 members / $160 nonmembers. All-AAMA-CEU applications process instantly.
- Save the new certificate to TrustAAMA has flagged a mid-2026 recertification wave — early recerts don't cost you time.
On your iPhone. We never see it.
Requirements
60 points in the current 5-year period — no rollover between cycles.
Category minimums: 10 administrative, 10 clinical, 10 general, and 30 of any mix.
AAMA share: at least 30 of the 60 must be AAMA-approved CEUs. Up to 30 non-AAMA hours are accepted (each ≥1 contact hour, relevant to medical assisting; upload anytime — review takes up to 30 days, or $30 to expedite). All-AAMA-CEU applications process instantly online.
Fee note: $80 member / $160 nonmember is current. The $65/$130 figures on third-party sites are stale.
Exam route: the same CMA exam as initial certification. Three lifetime attempts — fail the third and the credential is unrecoverable.
Early is free: recertifying early doesn't cost you time. Worth doing in heavy-renewal seasons — AAMA has flagged a mid-2026 recertification wave.
How to renew, step by step
- 01Check your expiration dateCertifications expire at the end of the month, 60 months from initial certification or last recert.
- 02Tally points against 10/10/10/3010 administrative, 10 clinical, 10 general, and 30 of any mix — at least 30 of the 60 total must be AAMA-approved CEUs. The AAMA e-Learning Center fills gaps fastest because its CEUs are all AAMA-approved.
- 03Upload non-AAMA certificates earlyReview takes up to 30 days ($30 to expedite). Non-AAMA hours must be ≥1 contact hour and relevant to medical assisting.
- 04Apply online and pay$80 members / $160 nonmembers. All-AAMA-CEU applications process instantly.
- 05Save the new certificate to TrustAAMA has flagged a mid-2026 recertification wave — early recerts don't cost you time.
If you're late
Expired = stop using "CMA (AAMA)" after your name — signatures, badges, everything — until recertified.
Expired ≤3 months: either route (CE or exam) still works, plus a $50 reactivation fee.
Expired >3 months: recert-by-CE is permanently closed for this lapse. Exam only ($125/$250 + $50), and each attempt counts against the three-attempt lifetime limit.
Renewing by exam near the deadline? The application must arrive at least 30 days before expiration to avoid a lapse.
Five years is a long cycle, and 90 days is a short cliff. That mismatch is the whole risk.
Frequently asked questions
- How many points do I need, and what kind?
- 60 total — at least 10 each in administrative, clinical, and general, plus 30 from any mix. At least 30 of the 60 must be AAMA-approved CEUs.
- What happens if my CMA lapses more than 3 months?
- The recert-by-CE route closes for that lapse. Exam only, with a $50 reactivation fee on top — and it counts against the three-attempt lifetime limit.
- Can I recertify early?
- Yes — and your new 5-year term protects you; you don't lose time by recertifying early.
- How much does it cost in 2026?
- $80 for AAMA members and $160 for nonmembers by CE. Older $65/$130 references on third-party sites are outdated.
Last verified against American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) sources:
Changelog
Every revision to this guide, newest first. Last updated .
- Reviewed and verified requirements, fees, and deadlines against American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) sources.
Trust tracks this renewal for you.
Trust tracks your 5-year point tally across the four AAMA categories and pings you well before the 90-day cliff that closes the CE route for good.
On your iPhone. We never see it.
Keep exploring renewals
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