New York CCMA Practice Test and Exam Guide (2026)

Medical assistant certification in New York is voluntary — New York State does not license MAs. However, major employers (NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health, Montefiore, Kaleida Health, Rochester Regional Health, Trinity Health) require or strongly prefer a nationally recognized credential like the NHA CCMA. State regulator: The New York State Board for Medicine oversees supervising physicians and MA delegation. No separate MA board. 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. New York annual mean wage for medical assistants (BLS May 2024, SOC 31-9092): $48,290. Top New York employers: NewYork-Presbyterian, NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai Health System, Northwell Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Kaleida Health (Buffalo), Rochester Regional Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Trinity Health, Catholic Health, WMCHealth.

New York is one of the more permissive states for MA scope of practice, provided the supervising physician documents delegation. MAs can perform vitals, phlebotomy, injections, EKGs, wound care, specimen collection, and medication administration by order. Certification is not legally required, but the New York City hospital market is dominated by NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Montefiore — all of which prefer certified MAs. Upstate NY (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany) is dominated by Kaleida Health, Rochester Regional, University of Rochester, Trinity Health, and Albany Med — same story on certification. Cost of living matters when evaluating NY salary. NYC MAs may earn $50,000-$55,000 while paying $2,500+/month for rent. Upstate MAs earn less but have far lower housing costs. Renewal: NHA requires recertification every 2 years with 10 CEUs. New York does not add state-specific MA renewal requirements.

The NHA CCMA covers seven content domains. Clinical Patient Care is 54% of the exam — over half. Medical Law & Ethics at 12% is the second-largest and often the easiest to bring up if you are weak there.

PSI test centers are located throughout New York State. Major locations: - Manhattan / Brooklyn / Queens / Bronx / Staten Island - Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk County — Melville, Hauppauge, Hicksville) - Yonkers / White Plains / Westchester County - Albany / Schenectady / Troy (Capital Region) - Buffalo / Amherst / Cheektowaga - Rochester / Henrietta - Syracuse - Utica / Rome - Binghamton - Poughkeepsie / Kingston (Hudson Valley) Schedule at psiexams.com after receiving your ATT from NHA. NYC test centers book out fastest — plan 2-4 weeks ahead. PSI live online proctoring is available from any NY address with a 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. Upload eligibility documentation. Step 3: Pay $165 exam fee. Receive Authorization to Test within 1-2 business days. Step 4: Select 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.

New York ranks in the top 10 for MA pay nationally. Per BLS OES May 2024: - Annual mean wage: $48,290 - Hourly mean: $23.22 - Employment: approximately 42,000 medical assistants statewide NYC metro MAs earn $50,000-$56,000; Long Island slightly higher; Westchester and Hudson Valley $46,000-$52,000; Upstate cities (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany) $40,000-$46,000. NYC pay reflects cost of living — real purchasing power is often stronger upstate. Top employers by hiring volume: NewYork-Presbyterian, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, Northwell Health (largest MA employer in NY State overall), Montefiore, Kaleida Health, Rochester Regional Health, and University of Rochester Medical Center. Specialty settings pay premiums: NYC cardiology, oncology, dermatology, and OB/GYN clinics can pay $28-$32/hour for experienced CCMAs.

**Do I need to be certified to work as an MA in New York?** No, New York does not require certification. But major NY employers require or strongly prefer a national credential. **Which certification is best in New York?** CCMA, CMA, and RMA are all widely accepted. **How much does the CCMA cost in New York?** $165 through NHA. Same fee nationwide. **Where can I take the CCMA in New York?** At any PSI test center statewide (Manhattan, Long Island, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and more) or via PSI live online proctoring. **Can I work as an MA in New York 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 New York?** About $48,290 annual mean per BLS May 2024. NYC metro pays $50,000-$56,000; upstate averages lower. **How long does it take to become a CCMA in New York?** CUNY/SUNY MA programs run 9-12 months. Self-study with work experience takes 2-3 months.