Arizona CCMA Practice Test and Exam Guide (2026)

Medical assistant certification in Arizona is voluntary — the state does not license MAs. However, Arizona employers (Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health/CommonSpirit, Mayo Clinic Arizona, TMC HealthCare, Northern Arizona Healthcare) require or strongly prefer national certification like the NHA CCMA. State regulator: The Arizona Medical Board oversees supervising physicians and delegation. No dedicated MA regulatory body. Recognized certifications: CCMA (NHA), CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), and NCMA (NCCT). NHA exam vendor: PSI test centers or PSI live online proctoring. Exam format: 180 questions (150 scored + 30 pretest), 3 hours, computer-based, scaled score 200-500, passing 390. Arizona annual mean wage for medical assistants (BLS May 2024, SOC 31-9092): $44,590. Top Arizona employers: Banner Health (largest employer in Arizona overall and largest MA employer in the state), HonorHealth, Dignity Health/CommonSpirit, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix Children's, Valleywise Health, TMC HealthCare (Tucson), Northern Arizona Healthcare (Flagstaff), Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Arizona does not require certification, but its two dominant employers — Banner Health and HonorHealth — combined employ tens of thousands of MAs across the Phoenix and Tucson metros. Both list national certification as required or strongly preferred on most postings. Arizona MAs work under physician delegation with documented scope. Standard duties: vitals, phlebotomy, injections, EKGs, wound care, specimens, medication administration by order. Arizona Medical Board rules require the supervising physician to document delegated tasks. The Arizona MA market is heavily concentrated in Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Tucson (Pima County). Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott, and Lake Havasu round out the state. Rural Arizona has real MA shortages, especially on tribal lands and near the border — some employers offer sign-on bonuses. Renewal: NHA requires recertification every 2 years with 10 CEUs. Arizona adds no state-specific MA requirements.

The NHA CCMA covers seven content domains. Clinical Patient Care is 54% of the exam — the biggest single domain and where your study time should concentrate.

PSI operates test centers across Arizona. Major locations: - Phoenix / Glendale / Peoria / Surprise - Scottsdale / Tempe / Mesa / Chandler / Gilbert - Tucson (multiple locations) - Flagstaff - Yuma - Prescott / Prescott Valley - Lake Havasu City / Kingman - Sierra Vista - Casa Grande Schedule at psiexams.com after receiving your ATT from NHA. Phoenix metro has strong availability; Flagstaff and Yuma have limited slots — book 2-3 weeks ahead. PSI live online proctoring works from any Arizona address with webcam and photo ID.

Step 1: Confirm eligibility — high school diploma/GED plus (a) MA program completion within 5 years, or (b) 1 year supervised MA work experience within 3 years. Step 2: Create your NHA account at nhanow.com and upload eligibility documentation. Step 3: Pay the $165 exam fee. Receive Authorization to Test within 1-2 business days. Step 4: Choose PSI test center, PSI live remote, or school test site. Step 5: Schedule at psiexams.com. Step 6: Take the exam. Arrive 30 minutes early with two IDs. Preliminary results at test center; official scores within 2 business days.

Arizona is a top-20 state for MA pay. Per BLS OES May 2024 data: - Annual mean wage: $44,590 - Hourly mean: $21.44 - Employment: approximately 24,000 medical assistants statewide Metro pay: Phoenix averages $44,000-$47,000; Scottsdale and North Phoenix pay slightly higher; Tucson $42,000-$45,000; Flagstaff $41,000-$44,000; Yuma and rural Arizona $38,000-$42,000. Top employers by hiring volume: Banner Health (largest MA employer in Arizona by a wide margin), HonorHealth (large second), Dignity Health/CommonSpirit, Mayo Clinic Arizona (Scottsdale), Phoenix Children's, and Valleywise Health. Job outlook is strong. Arizona is projected to add 5,000+ MA jobs between 2024 and 2034 — one of the highest growth rates in the country, driven by continued population growth (especially retirees) and Phoenix metro expansion.

**Do I need to be certified to work as an MA in Arizona?** No, Arizona does not require certification. But Banner Health and HonorHealth — the two largest employers — require or prefer a national credential. **Which certification is best in Arizona?** CCMA, CMA, and RMA are all widely accepted. **How much does the CCMA cost in Arizona?** $165 through NHA. Same fee nationwide. **Where can I take the CCMA in Arizona?** PSI test centers in Phoenix metro, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, and other cities, or via PSI live online proctoring. **Can I work as an MA in Arizona without certification?** Yes, uncertified MAs may work under physician delegation. Work experience can be used to qualify for CCMA eligibility. **What is the average MA salary in Arizona?** About $44,590 annual mean per BLS May 2024. **How long does it take to become a CCMA in Arizona?** Maricopa Community Colleges MA programs run 9-12 months. Self-study candidates with work experience can prepare in 2-3 months.