Free CMA Practice Test Pennsylvania 2026 — AAMA Exam Prep Guide

Pennsylvania has one of the largest and most established healthcare workforces in the Northeast, anchored by two of the country's largest integrated health systems. Here is what Pennsylvania CMA candidates need to know: • Certification is voluntary at the state level. Pennsylvania does not license medical assistants. The Pennsylvania Department of State — State Board of Medicine governs physician delegation. • Recognized certifications in Pennsylvania: 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 Pennsylvania: approximately $45,700 (BLS May 2024) • Top employers: UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network, WellSpan Health, Main Line Health, Independence Blue Cross network providers, St. Luke's University Health Network • Certification typically adds 5-15% to base pay at large health systems

Pennsylvania does not license medical assistants at the state level. The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine defines what tasks a licensed physician may delegate to unlicensed clinical staff, including MAs. Because the state does not license MAs, employers rely on national credentials: CMA (AAMA), CCMA (NHA), RMA (AMT), and NCMA (NCCT). UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, and Geisinger — Pennsylvania's largest health systems — commonly list one of these credentials as preferred or required. The CMA (AAMA) exam is a national credential. Passing in Pennsylvania 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 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 and legal-ethical issues. Pennsylvania candidates trained at UPMC-affiliated or Penn Medicine-affiliated programs frequently find their clinical coursework maps closely to the AAMA Clinical Competency domain.

The CMA (AAMA) exam is delivered by PSI at test centers across Pennsylvania: • Philadelphia (multiple locations) • Pittsburgh • Allentown and Bethlehem • Harrisburg • Scranton and Wilkes-Barre • Erie • Reading • Lancaster • York • State College Live Remote Proctored testing is also available. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh 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 a Pennsylvania test center or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. 6. Study: diagnostic-first, targeted remediation, at least two full-length timed practice tests.

Recommended study plan: 1. Take a full 200-question diagnostic practice test before opening study materials. 2. Prioritize Clinical Competency — 59% of the exam. Focus on infection control, vital signs, injection technique, EKG, and CLIA-waived lab procedures. 3. Do not skip Administrative. Pennsylvania has multiple large managed care organizations (Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, UPMC Health Plan) — solid preparation on insurance types, ICD-10 basics, CPT basics, and HIPAA is worthwhile. 4. Study legal-ethical carefully. Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine delegation rules make scope-of-practice a daily discipline for PA CMAs. 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.

Pennsylvania pays slightly above the national median for medical assistants: • Annual mean wage: approximately $45,700 (BLS May 2024) • Hourly mean wage: approximately $21.97 • Employment: high Higher-paying Pennsylvania metros include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Lehigh Valley (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton). Central Pennsylvania metros pay closer to $42,000-$44,000. Major Pennsylvania employers include UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network, WellSpan Health, Main Line Health, Independence Blue Cross network providers, and St. Luke's University Health Network. Certified CMAs typically earn 5-15% more than uncertified peers at large Pennsylvania health systems.

**Does Pennsylvania require CMA certification?** No. Pennsylvania does not license medical assistants. Most large PA 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 Pennsylvania?** At PSI test centers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, and other cities, or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. **How much do CMAs make in Pennsylvania?** Approximately $45,700 annual mean wage (BLS May 2024). Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros pay above the state mean. **Can medical assistants give injections in Pennsylvania?** Under physician delegation, yes. Specific medications and routes depend on delegating physician authorization and Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine rules. **How soon can I retake the CMA exam if I fail in Pennsylvania?** No waiting period. Up to 6 attempts within any rolling 12-month period.