About the CMA exam
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) gives the CMA (AAMA) exam. It has 200 multiple-choice questions in four 40-minute segments. 180 questions are scored and 20 are unscored pretest questions. The content outline below applies to exams before July 2027, when a new outline takes effect.
Sources: CMA (AAMA) exam content outline, in effect through June 2027, checked October 16, 2026; CMA (AAMA) exam application and policies, checked October 16, 2026.| Content area | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Clinical competency | 106 |
| General | 38 |
| Administrative | 36 |
What the practice test will include
The CMA pass will include full practice tests that follow the AAMA’s content outline, a question bank by topic, every answer explained, and insights that show which topics to review. A certified medical assistant reviews every question, so the CMA test will open after our TEAS practice.
Join the CMA waitlist
After every practice set, you’ll see which CMA topics to work on next. Ten minutes counts, and it saves your place.
CMA practice questions
We’re writing these now
Every question will follow the exam owner’s published outline, and every answer will explain why the right choice is right and the others aren’t. Join the waitlist and we’ll email you the day they’re ready.
Can I take the CMA exam online?
Yes. The AAMA offers the CMA at PSI test centers and online with live remote proctoring. The exam is four 40-minute segments, with optional breaks between them.
What’s on the CMA exam
Clinical competency is 106 of the 180 scored questions, more than half the exam. It covers patient intake and discharge, safety and infection control, procedures and exams, and pharmacology. The general section (38 questions) covers legal and ethical issues and communication, and the administrative section (36) covers billing, coding, insurance, scheduling and health information management. A new outline starts in July 2027 and shifts more questions to clinical competency.
CMA (AAMA) and CCMA compared
| CMA (AAMA) | CCMA (NHA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 200 (180 scored) | 180 (150 scored) |
| Time | Four 40-minute segments | 3 hours |
| Passing score | 405 on a 200 to 800 scale | 390 on a 200 to 500 scale |
| Who can take it | Mostly students and graduates of CAAHEP or ABHES accredited programs | Training program or supervised work experience |
Check which credential your program or employer asks for before you register. More on the CCMA is on our CCMA page.
TODO: the keyword map asks for an RMA comparison. Add AMT’s RMA facts from AMT’s own pages first.
Common questions about the CMA exam
What’s the CMA passing score?
You need a scaled score of 405 on the AAMA’s scale of 200 to 800.
How much does the CMA exam cost?
The fee is $125 for AAMA members and for completing students and recent graduates of accredited programs, and $250 for everyone else.
Who can take the CMA exam?
Most candidates are students or graduates of a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES. The AAMA lists a few other pathways, including one for medical assisting educators.
Can I retake the CMA exam?
Yes. The AAMA allows up to 6 attempts in 12 months, with no waiting period between them.
What’s the difference between the CMA and the CCMA?
The AAMA gives the CMA (AAMA) and the National Healthcareer Association gives the CCMA. They’re separate exams with different eligibility rules, so check which one your program or employer wants.