What is the difference between a Registered Medical Assistant and a Certified Medical Assistant?

I am in school to become a medical assistant and I was wondering if it would be better to be certified or registered?

I think it would be helpful to do both usually the registered is easier to do because the test is usually given each month, but the certified is only done at certain times like i found out that you have to pay for that test 4 months before you can take it.

DEANN JONES in Nashville, Tennessee said: I AM REGISTERED..THERE IS REALLY NO DIFFERENCE..I WAIT AND TAKE A TEST EVERY 3 MONTHS..THEY SEND YOU A BOOK AND ANS SHEET,SO THERE IS NO REASON TO FAIL.

hey your in nashville? how do you get registered?

my 'puter is goin wacko here

denise in Shirley, New York said: I looked up the salaries and a registered certified ma in long island ny salary was 109,000 and a certified ma was 67,000 so the difference seems to be 40,000 dollars why?

LOL. You must have put in the WRONG job description. Certified/Registered Medical Assistants do NOT make anywhere near that much...not even in Long Island.

I'm living right here in the city (NYC) and a medical assistant, if they can find a job in the first place, can expect to start at about $12-18/hr AT MOST. That means anywhere from around 23-36k. If you add in overtime..it could possibly be more like 28-40k.

well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

I am planning to take the AMT exam, which is for RMA. But whether the wording used is "registered" or "certified" the intent is the same. It's merely a semantics thing here, folks.

My last info from AMT (Chicago) was that the cost was $100, and the test is taken at one of those prometric facilities.

martyaforu in San Antonio, Texas said: well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

Don't feel bad. I'm a 1992 Bryman graduate, with honors, and the best work I could find was a 2-year independent relationship with RediClinic as a screener, which job basically faded out. These schools are in business to teach you something, make a bunch of money, and toss you out in the street when they're done. They do not help students get jobs, unless it's just a circumstantial thing. My "placement" person basically combed thru the newspaper every day, which anyone else could have done. Occasionally, there were a few people that DID "happen" to get jobs, but most didn't.

martyaforu in San Antonio, Texas said: well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

I forgot to speak to the "experience" aspect. I'm now seeing a demand for FIVE YEARS experience. Because of the market being flooded with MA's, good and terrible alike, the industry can be as choosy as it needs to be, preferring to hire LPN's or RN's, because of their higher degree of training, expertise, experience, and credentials. It's all in the credentials.

MA's WOULD BE a great asset, were it not for a handful of bad apples in years past.

ME in Kansas City, Missouri said: At the school I teach at, when you graduate, you sit for the boards to become a NRCMA-Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant

Glad to see THAT ! Bryman would steer one in the right direction of the test, but the graduate really took care of everything needed apart from the school. If only they'd done things like you described !

Sweetcheeks in New York, New York said: LOL. You must have put in the WRONG job description. Certified/Registered Medical Assistants do NOT make anywhere near that much...not even in Long Island.

I'm living right here in the city (NYC) and a medical assistant, if they can find a job in the first place, can expect to start at about $12-18/hr AT MOST. That means anywhere from around 23-36k. If you add in overtime..it could possibly be more like 28-40k.

That ain't no MA gig ! Sweetcheeks is more correct.

Yes...because at the school that I attended when i pass my National exam/graduate and will be receiving my AS Degree my title will by a (Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant)which is a very big difference in pay and will make me very marketable.

Deena Brown in Chicago, Illinois said: I think it would be helpful to do both usually the registered is easier to do because the test is usually given each month, but the certified is only done at certain times like i found out that you have to pay for that test 4 months before you can take it.

but there both the exacted same test!!! Registered/Certified...

Can anyone tell me the difference between CMA and CCMA.

Certified Medical Assistant and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant?

nubienquen in Norfolk, Virginia said: but there both the exacted same test!!! Registered/Certified...

I was told by my instructor at my school that if u r registered you can only work
in the state you register in, but if u r certified it is national and you can work
any where in the usa.

I work in the ER for 7 yrs. I worked 911 responce I worked as a medical asst in TN. I got 14 hour I'm Great at being an Medical asst . But I have to get certified then getting my LPN and that starts at 28 an hour well one more yr of schoool.

15yrsinthefield in Washington, New Jersey said: I work in the ER for 7 yrs. I worked 911 responce I worked as a medical asst in TN. I got 14 hour I'm Great at being an Medical asst . But I have to get certified then getting my LPN and that starts at 28 an hour well one more yr of schoool.

It's awesome that you have a lot of experience, but please do not be fooled. LPNs are NOT starting off at that much anymore...maybe a year and a half ago..but right now, most LPNs are lucky to find a job, like everyone else, and the pay is $17-24/hr.ONLY if you live near NYC. Otherwise..it's more like $9-14/hr.

BeautifulLadiie in Bayside, New York said: It's awesome that you have a lot of experience, but please do not be fooled. LPNs are NOT starting off at that much anymore...maybe a year and a half ago..but right now, most LPNs are lucky to find a job, like everyone else, and the pay is $17-24/hr.ONLY if you live near NYC. Otherwise..it's more like $9-14/hr.

I live in bergen county 10 minutes fron NY

15yrsinthefield in Washington, New Jersey said: I live in bergen county 10 minutes fron NY

Trust me. You aren't going to be paid $28/hr to start as an LPN. NYC pays way more and they don't even start at that wage.

I became a Medical Assistant in 2004 and started working at a local hospital as a Unit Sec. Just to get my feet in the door. In the medical field you have to crawl before you walk!!!!!!

I'm a Ceritified MA here and there are very few MA jobs here too. I feel I was lied too also by my school. I was also told that being Ceritifed makes it were you can practice anywhere in the country is that true??Or was that a lie too!

martyaforu in San Antonio, Texas said: well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

to become a LPN can i just get a degree in that or should i get one as a MA and then go for LPN

Your reply is one a jerk would make. Shame on you.

britni in Killeen, Texas said: to become a LPN can i just get a degree in that or should i get one as a MA and then go for LPN

Britni if you can go straight to LPN school and that is definitely what you want, do not go to MA school first.

There is no need for it if you want to be a LPN. The two jobs are very different though so make sure of what you want before you enroll.

It's a tough market no matter where you are. CMA's don't have the same training that CNA's have and Nurses have a combination of both plus some. The common ground is that we all do what we do for a reason and I think in our own ways got there just by our caring nature. I certainly respect Nurses and the hard work they did to get where they are but I also respect the Certified Nursing Assistants and the Certified Medical Assistants like me starting out and looking forward to building a career. Best of luck all!

I have been an MA only for about 1 1/2 yrs. I just got laid off anout 3 mo ago. And I'm havin a hard time finding a job like everyone else, but I have noticed that alot of the ads I see only want CMA's. How do I go about getting certified? Can you study for it? Is it hard? My school never said that I needed to get certified. Is the pay better or something? And obviously their are more job opportunities if your certified. And I also don't really understand the difference between being certified or registerd. Any advice?

celestial_kel in North Carolina said: I am in school to become a medical assistant and I was wondering if it would be better to be certified or registered?

registered is for only in state if you decide to move it dont go with you. certified you take once a yr n its national im certified and it looks better when applying for jobs

Sandy in Bessemer, Alabama said: I have been an MA only for about 1 1/2 yrs. I just got laid off anout 3 mo ago. And I'm havin a hard time finding a job like everyone else, but I have noticed that alot of the ads I see only want CMA's. How do I go about getting certified? Can you study for it? Is it hard? My school never said that I needed to get certified. Is the pay better or something? And obviously their are more job opportunities if your certified. And I also don't really understand the difference between being certified or registerd. Any advice?

go on ncct.com that the nation certification site im not sure if u can take it online theres a number to call to find out where to take it

I would like to know what is the pay difference for certified ma's,and registered ma's?

s

is the practice test the actual test you take online

It's better to be certified then registered. In the medical field empolyers don't want to see you take the easier way out and get registered.I know it's hard out there and going to apply for a job you really need to have the upper hand. You never know who may also be applying for the same job.

Which course is better to take, Medical Assistant or Medical office assistant? What's the different? Thanks.

by the way medical assistant are in high demand in NYC and Nj in NY if you are certified and work in the hospital you will be making around 15 to 17 I gust now 18 dollar per hour all depend of your education too cause you can nedve compare a degree with a certificate i you take a degree in mdical assistant the credit are good to transfer to Rn andnot only that that you degree in apply to science is reconice see the diference why because a apply to science have liberal art and science and wont be dificult to enter into the community college but if you take medical assistant with a Associate degree Occupational it will be good too but the credit only will be good for other college and the credit cannot be tranfer to Rn because dont have liberal art.and about the caahep hospital on this date are looking for your national certification like Bramson ort college in ny you will guet certified in the same school because the college is reconige by NY State dept of education. well to all futur medical assistant good luck and God bless you.

BY the way I forguet also to say that you will be making with Associate degree apply to science 28 to 30 dollar a hour in a hospital.MEDICAL Assistant Apply TO science DEGREE.not certificate. certificate in hospital 17 to 22 only hospitals.in NYC ONLY I dont know other State.

martyaforu in San Antonio, Texas said: well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

yes I went to school for Medical assisting, was outstanding in my classes. received an Associate of Science. passed for Registered Certified Medical Assistant. graduated 4 months, I feel also I was lied to. in my area in south florida if you cannot speak spanish, no one hires you. They are also looking for 2 years plus experience. I say where do I get experience, if I am not given a chance to prove my self. My family was so proud, now my say they will not attend college because in south florida you have to be billingual spanish for most jobs. Come on people this is an English speaking country why should I be pushed out of the running if I am not.

i want to know, what is the difference between a medical assistant and a medical assistant technician, because im going to school to be an MA and my friend is going to be a MAT

DEANN JONES in Nashville, Tennessee said: I AM REGISTERED..THERE IS REALLY NO DIFFERENCE..I WAIT AND TAKE A TEST EVERY 3 MONTHS..THEY SEND YOU A BOOK AND ANS SHEET,SO THERE IS NO REASON TO FAIL.

Where we can take the test for Certified as a CMA?

Is your certification book from NCCT National Center for Competency Testing.

martyaforu in San Antonio, Texas said: well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

You're not the only one that feels discouraged, I already finished my course in medical assisting at my school and they "promised" to help me look for a job but instead it seems that "helping" is actually just being a motivator and giving sites. yes i know sites are helpful but what i want is a call from them saying they faxed my resume to an office who's hiring. It really is a job looking for a job. Good Luck to you in finding one and I wish you all the best!

I AM LOOKING TO TAKE THE TEST TO GET RE-CERTIFIED FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANT BUT I DONT KNOW THE NAME OF THE TEST THAT I NEED TO TAKE SO WOULD SOME ME LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON TAKING THE RIGHT TEST THAT I NEED TO TAKE,AND ALSO I SOME HELP ON LOOKING UP THE LOCAIONS I NEED TO TAKE THE TEST AT SO WOULD SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME OUT ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WEBSITES THAT I NEED TO LOOK UNDER FOR THE LOCATIONS OF THE TEST SITES

You need to go to www.ncctinc.com its the only test that is excepted any where in the USA

Hi there,

Did you graduate from Bryman here in Houston? I thought the school is out of business for the longest time. Let me know, because I went there back in the 90's and now I am thinking of persuing the same field.

Thanks!

No Southwest Business School, is this sandy ford

Oh man! Some of this is discouraging. I'm doing my intern at a podiatrist clinic. I'm getting an MA degree. Just trying to get my foot in the door. Hopefully my conections from inside the local hospitals will bless me. If I didn't know anyone in the game I'd be sick from what I read!

My comment goes to the majority of you responding. Having read most of the above replies, how many of you could pass a literacy test? The grammar and spelling shown above is atrocious! How you present yourself and how well you speak is also considered in the hiring process.

martyaforu in San Antonio, Texas said: well, I can tell ya this...according to admissions at this one school I checked out, they totally make it sound like a medical assistant is in high demand, and they will assist you in getting a job ASAP {yeah whatever} they have a quota to meet, they just seem to wanna say whatever they can to get you signed up for classes.
There are very few MA jobs listed in my local newspaper at this time..the job market does suck,but you would think the medical field would be a stable career choice...
The ones that are listed ALL WANT AT LEAST 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
what's a girl to do??? sorry for sounding so negative, but after doing research in this field , after speaking to this admissions person...I felt really bummed, I felt lied to..

I feel you on that because I went to school for two years and I can not find a job. Everywhere I have applied to you need to two years or more experience. And yes they say it's in high demand but I haven't been able to find anything yet. I'm not going to give up but it's getting very hard

shronda in Gainesville, Florida said: I feel you on that because I went to school for two years and I can not find a job. Everywhere I have applied to you need to two years or more experience. And yes they say it's in high demand but I haven't been able to find anything yet. I'm not going to give up but it's getting very hard

I'm having a hard time, too. I graduated in 2007, and took the AMT's registration exam in June of this year. I've had five interviews in two months, but not one called back to offer me a job. I was one of those at the top of my class too. I'm an older student, so going back to school for me was like going out on a limb. Wish now I'd went to a public community college, instead of a "career school".

britni in Killeen, Texas said: to become a LPN can i just get a degree in that or should i get one as a MA and then go for LPN

go for lpn its actually lvn and ma is 10 months and lvn is 1 yr and more money u dont have to do ma school if u want to be a nurse we discussed this in school today. Dont waist 10 months when u could be done in ayear.

Medical assisting school is a waste of time and money GO TO NURSING SCHOOL!! I live in ohio and i only make 10.00 /hr as a medical assistant/phlebotomist.