Free CMA Practice Test New Jersey 2026 — AAMA Exam Prep Guide

New Jersey is one of the higher-paying states in the country for medical assistants, driven by the dense NYC-Philadelphia healthcare corridor and consolidation among large hospital systems. Here is what New Jersey CMA candidates need to know: • Certification is voluntary at the state level. New Jersey does not license medical assistants. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners governs physician delegation to unlicensed clinical staff. • Recognized certifications in New Jersey: 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 New Jersey: approximately $48,900 (BLS May 2024) — well above the national median • Top employers: RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Atlantic Health System, Cooper University Health Care, Virtua Health, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Inspira Health, St. Joseph's Health • Certification typically adds 5-15% to base pay at large health systems, and slightly more in northern NJ metros

New Jersey does not license medical assistants at the state level. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners regulates the practice of medicine and defines what tasks a licensed physician may delegate to unlicensed clinical staff, including MAs. Under delegation, New Jersey CMAs may perform vitals, phlebotomy, injections, EKG, and standard rooming procedures. Because the state does not license MAs, employers rely on national credentials: CMA (AAMA), CCMA (NHA), RMA (AMT), and NCMA (NCCT). New Jersey's largest systems — RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Atlantic Health System, and Cooper University Health Care — commonly list one of these credentials as preferred or required, particularly for outpatient MA and specialty clinic roles. The CMA (AAMA) exam is a national credential. Passing in New Jersey qualifies you to work as a CMA anywhere in the country, including the neighboring NYC and Philadelphia markets.

The AAMA exam is delivered by PSI and is the same nationwide. AAMA's Content Outline distributes 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 and interpreter use, particularly relevant in NJ's linguistically diverse patient population) and legal-ethical issues. New Jersey CMAs work with one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse patient populations in the country — inclusive communication, interpreter use, and HIPAA discipline are tested on the exam and used daily in New Jersey outpatient practice.

The CMA (AAMA) exam is delivered by PSI at test centers across New Jersey: • Newark • Jersey City • Edison • Cherry Hill • Toms River • Trenton • Paterson • Atlantic City • Mount Laurel Live Remote Proctored testing is also available. Northern NJ (Newark, Jersey City, Paterson) and central NJ (Edison, Trenton) test slots fill up quickly — schedule your PSI appointment as soon as your Scheduling Permit arrives. New Jersey candidates may also test at nearby PSI locations in Philadelphia and New York City if NJ slots are unavailable.

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 a New Jersey test center or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. 6. Study using a diagnostic-first approach, targeted remediation on weak topics, and at least two full-length timed practice tests.

Recommended study plan: 1. Take a full 200-question diagnostic practice test before opening study materials. Use the topic breakdown to allocate study time. 2. Prioritize Clinical Competency — 59% of the exam. Focus on infection control, vital signs, injection technique, EKG lead placement, and CLIA-waived lab procedures. 3. Do not skip Administrative. New Jersey has one of the most complex insurance markets in the country — commercial carriers, Medicaid managed care (NJ FamilyCare), and heavy self-pay populations at some safety-net hospitals. Solid preparation on insurance types, ICD-10 basics, CPT basics, and HIPAA pays off both on the exam and on the job. 4. Study communication carefully in the General domain. New Jersey's linguistic diversity makes interpreter use and inclusive communication a real-world discipline — the AAMA exam tests this well. 5. Take at least two full-length timed practice tests in the last two weeks. Target 75-80% raw correct rate. CertPrepAcademy.com offers a free CMA practice test covering all 8 topic areas from the AAMA Content Outline.

New Jersey is one of the higher-paying states for medical assistants: • Annual mean wage: approximately $48,900 (BLS May 2024) • Hourly mean wage: approximately $23.51 • Employment: high Higher-paying New Jersey metros include Newark, Jersey City, and the Edison-New Brunswick corridor. Southern NJ metros (Cherry Hill, Vineland, Atlantic City) pay closer to $44,000-$47,000, still above the national mean. Major New Jersey employers include RWJBarnabas Health (the state's largest health system), Hackensack Meridian Health, Atlantic Health System, Cooper University Health Care, Virtua Health, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Inspira Health, and St. Joseph's Health. Many New Jersey CMAs also commute to hospital and outpatient jobs in New York City and Philadelphia, both of which pay above the NJ mean. Certified CMAs typically earn 5-15% more than uncertified peers, and northern NJ metro roles at large systems tend to sit at the top of that range.

**Does New Jersey require CMA certification?** No. New Jersey does not license medical assistants. Most large New Jersey 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 New Jersey?** At PSI test centers in Newark, Jersey City, Edison, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Trenton, and other cities, or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. Nearby NYC and Philadelphia PSI locations are also available if NJ slots are full. **How much do CMAs make in New Jersey?** Approximately $48,900 annual mean wage (BLS May 2024). Newark and Jersey City metros pay above the state mean. **Can medical assistants give injections in New Jersey?** Under physician delegation, yes. Specific medications and routes depend on delegating physician authorization and New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners rules. **How soon can I retake the CMA exam if I fail in New Jersey?** No waiting period. Up to 6 attempts within any rolling 12-month period.