Free CMA Practice Test Texas 2026 — AAMA Exam Prep Guide

Texas employs approximately 51,900 medical assistants — the third-largest MA workforce in the country. Here is what Texas CMA candidates need to know: • Certification is voluntary. Texas does not license medical assistants at the state level. Medical assistants operate under physician delegation as defined by the Texas Medical Board. • Recognized certifications in Texas: CMA (AAMA), CCMA (NHA), RMA (AMT), NCMA (NCCT). Employers list one or more as preferred or required. • Exam vendor: PSI, with test centers throughout Texas • Exam format: 200 questions, 160 minutes, passing score 405 on a 200-800 scale • Annual mean wage in Texas: approximately $40,900 (BLS May 2024) • Top employers: HCA Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White Health, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Texas Health Resources, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Christus Health, Ascension Seton, MD Anderson • Certification typically adds 5-15% to base pay at large health systems

Texas does not license medical assistants. The Texas Medical Board regulates the scope of tasks that a physician may delegate to an unlicensed clinical staff member, which includes medical assistants. In practice, this means CMAs in Texas may perform intake vitals, phlebotomy under supervision, EKG, injections (per delegation rules), and administrative tasks — but may not diagnose, prescribe, or perform tasks outside delegated scope. Because the state does not license MAs, employers use national credentials as the standard. The CMA (AAMA) is one of the most recognized, along with CCMA (NHA), RMA (AMT), and NCMA (NCCT). Large Texas hospital systems — HCA, Baylor Scott & White, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Texas Health Resources — commonly list one of these credentials as required or strongly preferred. The CMA (AAMA) exam is a national credential. Passing in Texas qualifies you to work 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 and legal-ethical issues. Texas candidates should give particular attention to the Legal and Ethical section — Texas Medical Board delegation rules are strict, and scope-of-practice questions on the exam align well with the boundaries Texas employers enforce.

The CMA (AAMA) exam is delivered by PSI at test centers throughout Texas: • Houston (multiple locations) • Dallas and Fort Worth • San Antonio • Austin • El Paso • Corpus Christi • Lubbock • Amarillo • McAllen • Beaumont • Waco • Tyler Live Remote Proctored testing is also available. Verify current PSI availability at aama-ntl.org after your Scheduling Permit arrives. Houston and Dallas test slots fill up quickly — schedule as soon as your permit is issued.

1. Confirm eligibility. Graduate (or be within 30 days of completion) of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assistant program. Alternative pathways exist for educators and other qualifying candidates. 2. Apply through the AAMA Candidate Portal at aama-ntl.org. Select your 90-day testing window during application. 3. Pay the exam fee: $125 for AAMA members, $250 for non-members. 4. Wait for your Scheduling Permit email (typically 2-4 weeks). 5. Schedule your PSI appointment at a Texas test center or elect Live Remote Proctored delivery. 6. Study using a diagnostic practice test to identify weaknesses, then work through targeted study followed by full-length timed practice.

Recommended study plan: 1. Diagnostic first. Take a full 200-question practice test before opening any study guide. Use your topic breakdown to allocate study time. 2. Prioritize Clinical Competency — 59% of the exam. Focus on infection control, vital signs technique, injection routes and angles, EKG, and CLIA-waived lab procedures. 3. Do not skip Administrative. ICD-10-CM basics, CPT basics, insurance types (HMO, PPO, Medicare, Medicaid), and HIPAA are approximately 45 exam questions. Skipping this domain is one of the most common causes of failure. 4. Focus on scope-of-practice questions in the General domain. Texas Medical Board delegation rules make scope-of-practice a real-world issue for Texas MAs — the AAMA exam tests this thoroughly. 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.

Texas is the third-largest state for MA employment but pays below the national median: • Annual mean wage: approximately $40,900 (BLS May 2024) • Hourly mean wage: approximately $19.66 • Employment: approximately 51,900 Higher-paying Texas metros include Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston. Rural Texas metros pay closer to $37,000-$39,000 annual mean. Major Texas employers include HCA Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White Health, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Texas Health Resources, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Christus Health, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. FQHC networks throughout the state also hire heavily, particularly in South Texas and rural counties. Certified CMAs typically earn 5-15% more than uncertified peers at these large health systems.

**Does Texas require CMA certification?** No. Texas does not license medical assistants. However, most large Texas 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. Same nationwide. **Where can I take the CMA exam in Texas?** At PSI test centers in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and other cities, or via Live Remote Proctored delivery. **How much do CMAs make in Texas?** Approximately $40,900 annual mean wage (BLS May 2024). Austin, Dallas, and Houston metros pay above the state mean. **What can medical assistants legally do in Texas?** MAs work under Texas Medical Board physician delegation rules. Common delegated tasks include vitals, phlebotomy, EKG, injections (per delegation), and rooming patients. MAs may not diagnose, prescribe, or perform tasks outside delegated scope. **How soon can I retake the CMA exam if I fail in Texas?** No waiting period. Up to 6 attempts within any rolling 12-month period.