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How to recertify your CMA (AAMA)

Last verified: · Trust editorial

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.

Renewal checklist
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How to recertify your CMA (AAMA)

American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) · gettrustapp.com/renew/national/cma-medical-assistant
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.
At a glance
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
Steps
  1. Check your expiration date
    Certifications expire at the end of the month, 60 months from initial certification or last recert.
  2. Tally points against 10/10/10/30
    10 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.
  3. Upload non-AAMA certificates early
    Review takes up to 30 days ($30 to expedite). Non-AAMA hours must be ≥1 contact hour and relevant to medical assisting.
  4. Apply online and pay
    $80 members / $160 nonmembers. All-AAMA-CEU applications process instantly.
  5. Save the new certificate to Trust
    AAMA has flagged a mid-2026 recertification wave — early recerts don't cost you time.
Trust · Reviewed July 2026 · Verify current requirements at the board's official portal before renewing.
At a glance
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

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

  1. 01
    Check your expiration date
    Certifications expire at the end of the month, 60 months from initial certification or last recert.
  2. 02
    Tally points against 10/10/10/30
    10 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.
  3. 03
    Upload non-AAMA certificates early
    Review takes up to 30 days ($30 to expedite). Non-AAMA hours must be ≥1 contact hour and relevant to medical assisting.
  4. 04
    Apply online and pay
    $80 members / $160 nonmembers. All-AAMA-CEU applications process instantly.
  5. 05
    Save the new certificate to Trust
    AAMA 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:

Sources — retrieved July 2026

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.

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