Free CMA Practice Test Illinois 2026 — AAMA Exam Prep Guide

Illinois is one of the higher-paying Midwest states for medical assistants, anchored by the Chicago metropolitan healthcare market. Here is what Illinois CMA candidates need to know: • Certification is voluntary at the state level. Illinois does not license medical assistants. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) governs physician delegation to unlicensed clinical staff. • Recognized certifications in Illinois: CMA (AAMA), CCMA (NHA), RMA (AMT), NCMA (NCCT) • Exam vendor: PSI • Exam format: 200 questions, 160 minutes, passing score 405 on a 200-800 scale • Annual mean wage in Illinois: approximately $46,800 (BLS May 2024) — tied with New York for 8th highest • Top employers: Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, University of Chicago Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Endeavor Health, Cook County Health, OSF HealthCare • Certification typically adds 5-15% to base pay at large health systems

Illinois does not license medical assistants at the state level. Medical assistants in Illinois work under physician supervision. The Illinois Medical Practice Act and IDFPR rules define what tasks may be delegated to unlicensed clinical staff. Because the state does not license MAs, employers rely on national credentials: CMA (AAMA), CCMA (NHA), RMA (AMT), and NCMA (NCCT). Chicago's academic and community health systems — Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Rush, Loyola, Advocate — commonly list one of these credentials as required or preferred. The CMA (AAMA) exam is a national credential. Passing in Illinois qualifies you to work as a CMA anywhere in the country.

The AAMA exam is delivered by PSI and is the same nationwide. AAMA's Content Outline divides the 180 scored questions across three domains: • Clinical Competency — approximately 59%. Safety and infection control, patient intake and clinical workflow, procedures and examinations, and pharmacology. • Administrative — approximately 23%. Billing, coding, insurance, appointment scheduling, and health information management. • General — approximately 18%. Communication (including cultural competency, particularly relevant in Chicago's diverse patient population) and legal-ethical issues. Illinois candidates who train at Chicago-area programs frequently report exam content aligns closely with their coursework, particularly on the Clinical Competency domain.

The CMA (AAMA) exam is delivered by PSI at test centers across Illinois: • Chicago (multiple locations) • Naperville and the western suburbs • Rockford • Peoria • Springfield • Champaign • Bloomington • Carbondale Live Remote Proctored testing is also available. Chicago metro test slots fill up quickly — schedule your PSI appointment as soon as your Scheduling Permit arrives.

1. Confirm eligibility. Graduate (or be within 30 days of completion) of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assistant program. 2. Apply through the AAMA Candidate Portal at aama-ntl.org. Select your 90-day testing window. 3. Pay the exam fee: $125 for AAMA members, $250 for non-members. 4. Wait for your Scheduling Permit email from AAMA. 5. Schedule your PSI appointment at an Illinois test center or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. 6. Study using a diagnostic-first approach, targeted remediation, and at least two full-length timed practice tests.

Recommended study plan: 1. Take a full diagnostic practice test before opening study materials. 2. Prioritize Clinical Competency — 59% of the exam. 3. Do not skip Administrative. Illinois has complex Medicaid managed care and multiple commercial insurance carriers — solid preparation on insurance types, ICD-10 basics, CPT basics, and HIPAA is worthwhile both for the exam and for job readiness. 4. Study cultural communication in the General domain. Chicago's patient population is linguistically and culturally diverse — the AAMA exam tests interpreter use and inclusive communication principles. 5. Take at least two full-length timed practice tests. Target 75-80% raw correct rate. CertPrepAcademy.com offers a free CMA practice test covering all 8 topic areas from the AAMA Content Outline.

Illinois is one of the higher-paying Midwest states for medical assistants: • Annual mean wage: approximately $46,800 (BLS May 2024) • Hourly mean wage: approximately $22.50 • Employment: high Higher-paying Illinois metros include Chicago-Naperville-Elgin and Lake County-Kenosha County. Downstate metros pay closer to $42,000-$44,000. Major Illinois employers include Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, University of Chicago Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Endeavor Health, Cook County Health, and OSF HealthCare. Chicago-area FQHCs also hire heavily. Certified CMAs typically earn 5-15% more than uncertified peers.

**Does Illinois require CMA certification?** No. Illinois does not license medical assistants. Most large Illinois health systems strongly prefer or require CMA (AAMA), CCMA, RMA, or NCMA certification. **How much does the CMA (AAMA) exam cost?** $125 for AAMA members and $250 for non-members. **Where can I take the CMA exam in Illinois?** At PSI test centers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, and other cities, or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. **How much do CMAs make in Illinois?** Approximately $46,800 annual mean wage (BLS May 2024). Chicago metro pays above the state mean. **Can medical assistants give injections in Illinois?** Under physician delegation, yes. Specific medications and routes depend on delegating physician authorization and Illinois Medical Practice Act rules. **How soon can I retake the CMA exam if I fail in Illinois?** No waiting period. Up to 6 attempts within any rolling 12-month period.