Recertification Requirements
To achieve recertification, a certificant must earn 60 CEUs during the five-year period preceding your application. You are also required to submit proof of current CPR certification. One contact hour (60 minutes of classroom instruction) equals one CEU credit. In addition to current recertification guidelines, all recertifying CCMA’s are required to show proof of HIPAA and Cultural Competency training (as part of the required 60 CEUs).
You may start the recertification process 3-6 months prior to the end your current "active to" date. As a courtesy, CCBMA offers a one-year grace period to certificants who are lacking sufficient credits to complete their recertification requirements. You will be required to pay a $75 certification expiration fee along with the $200 recertification application fee. Your certification will still be considered inactive while in your grace period until you have successfully completed the recertification process.
Credit Categories
Administrative Requirements
(CCMA-A)
- 30 basic
- 15 administrative
- 15 basic or administrative or clinical
Clinical Requirements
(CCMA-C)
- 30 basic
- 15 clinical
- 15 basic or administrative or clinical
Administrative & Clinical Requirements
(CCMA-AC & CACMA)
- 30 basic
- 15 administrative
- 15 clinical
Basic
Credits in this category apply to all medical assistants.
Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology
Examples:
- Basics of disease (e.g., shingles, asthma, migraines, diabetes, congestive heart failure, etc.)
- Smoking cessation
- Women’s health
- Structure and function of the body
Technical References
Examples:
- Who is a required reporter
- Generational studies
- General information about medications and their reactions
Psychological Aspects of Medical Assisting
Examples:
- Stress management
- The medical office professional
- Making the most of your skills
Professional Development
Examples:
- Team building
- Leadership
- Career success
- Spanish or other foreign language
Law and Ethics
Examples:
- Programs on ethical and legal implications of medical assisting
- Medical assistants scope of practice
- HIPAA
- Identity theft
Patient Education
Examples:
- Drugs and the elderly
- Diet and nutrition
- Helping the patient prepare for surgery
- Chaperoning
- Cultural awareness
Administrative
Credits in this category apply to the front-office medical assistant.
Secretarial Skills, Scheduling and Office Equipment
Examples:
- The business professional’s grammar and writing workshop
- Professional telephone techniques
- Use and care of office machines
- Scheduling systems
- Front desk safety and security
- Collection of patient demographics under HIPAA regulations
- Insurance authorizations and referrals
- Bad email habits: what message are you sending?
Records Management
Examples:
- Converting from paper to electronic medical records
- Document scanning and indexing in the EHR
- HIPAA and records security
- Retention and destruction of medical records
Computer Concepts
Examples:
- Basic and/or advanced software techniques (e.g., Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)
- Computer troubleshooting and IT skills for beginners
- Health information technology
Managing Practice Finances
Examples:
- Accounts receivable management
- Electronic banking and cash management
- Essentials of collections law, finance and accounting for non-financial people
- Statistics – how to evaluate your medical practice’s numbers
Insurance Billing & Coding
Examples:
- Terminology for coders
- Basic introduction to ICD10-CM
- Mastering modifiers
- EOB analysis
- Successful claims appeals
- The art of medical compliance facilities/time
Time & Facilities Management
Examples:
- Inventory procedures and supply purchase tips
- Don’t procrastinate – effective administrative organizational skills
Clinical
Credits in this category apply to the back-office medical assistant.
Infection Control
Examples:
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Needlestick prevention
- Preparing instruments
- Standard precautions
- Surgical techniques
- PPE
- CLIA
Assisting the Physician/Patient Preparation
Examples:
- Back office safety in the exam room
- SDS
- Inventory procedures for drugs and supplies
The Patient History
Examples:
- Documentation guidelines
- Essential clinical parts of a medical record
Collecting, Testing & Processing Specimens
Examples:
- CDC guidelines for specimen collection
- Instructing the patient
- EKG
- Spirometry
- Audiometry
- CLIA waived testing
- Lab values
Administering Medications
Examples:
- Immunizations update
- Injection technique
- Drug classification
- Drug calculation
*Please note that general information about drugs is NOT considered clinical education.
Office Emergencies
Examples:
- Emergencies
- CPR/first aid
- Abdominal thrusts
- Crash carts
Please be aware that credits that are not within the scope of practice for a California Certified Medical Assistant (e.g., EMT, CNA, radiology tech, dental, massage therapy and spiritual healing) will be denied. We may give partial credit if the complete course outline is included with the application and the training is within the scope of practice for a California Certified Medical Assistant.
Earning Credits
There are many ways to obtain credits. The Board does not restrict where you get your continuing educational training. However, we do require that all training be within the scope of practice for a California Certified Medical Assistant.
College Courses, Online Courses & Other Programs
In addition to college units, online courses and local programs that provide training such as CPR, first aid, computer classes, etc., may also count for credit, provided the subject matter is within the scope of practice for a California medical assistant. Credits for courses are as follows:
- One contact hour (60 minutes of classroom instruction): 1 credit
- One college semester unit: 18 credits
- One college quarter unit: 12 credit
Remember to upload your proof of completion as you go. If your credits are from college courses or from an online source, you will be required to provide proof with your application.
The proof must document:
- Your name
- Name of the provider of the program
- Course name
- Date of completion
- Number of contact hours or credits issued
In the case of college courses, please provide an unofficial transcript showing the above and a passing score upon application for recertification.
Continuing Education Articles
We offer continuing education articles for purchase. The articles are placed into the correct category for you, which is helpful if you are short a few credits in a specific category. Visit our store to view the article selection.
We track CEU credits, self-assessment quizzes and articles purchased through the CCBMA. In order to receive credit, you must receive a score of 70% or greater. You will receive a printout of the CEUs on file each time you submit additional quizzes for grading and posting. If you wish to receive your quiz back, you must provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage.
Other Continuing Education Credits
Credit can be received for activities such attending HIPAA or OSHA annual trainings, converting medical record systems, or attending a seminar within the scope of practice for California Certified Medical Assistants. Training must be documented on office letterhead by your physician employer or practice administrator.
Documentation must include:
- Your name
- Name of the training
- Date of training completion
- Number of hours to complete training
