July 14, 2026
CMA Recertification Guide: CEUs, Retesting, and Deadlines
Complete guide to CMA (AAMA) recertification. Learn the 60 CEU requirement, retake option, deadlines, and how to avoid losing your credential.
Your CMA Is Valid for 5 Years — Here Is What Comes Next
Your CMA (AAMA) certification is valid for 5 years from the date you passed. That is a longer runway than most medical assisting credentials — the CCMA, for example, runs on a 2-year cycle. But 5 years goes fast, and if you miss the recertification window, your credential lapses and you lose the right to use the CMA (AAMA) letters after your name.
You have two paths to recertify:
• Complete 60 continuing education units (CEUs) over the 5-year period
• Retake the CMA certification exam
Most CMAs go the CEU route because it lets you spread the work across five years instead of studying for a full exam again. This guide breaks down exactly what counts, what does not, and how to stay ahead of the deadline.
The 60 CEU Requirement: What Counts and What Does Not
AAMA requires 60 CEUs across three content categories — clinical, administrative, and general — with a specified distribution across each. At least 30 of your 60 CEUs must come from AAMA-approved sources. The remaining 30 can come from other approved providers.
Approved CEU sources include:
• AAMA online CEU modules (many are free for members)
• CMA Today journal articles with attached quizzes
• AAMA-approved third-party CE providers
• Community college continuing education courses
• Employer-sponsored training with proper documentation
One of the most common mistakes: assuming your annual CPR or BLS renewal counts toward the 60 CEUs. It does not. CPR/BLS is a separate requirement in most workplaces but AAMA does not credit it toward recertification hours. Plan your 60 CEUs on top of whatever CPR renewal you already do.
CMA vs. CCMA Recertification: Side by Side
If you also hold the CCMA (or are comparing paths), the recertification workload looks very different. Here is how the two credentials stack up:
| Requirement | CMA (AAMA) | CCMA (NHA) |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle length | 5 years | 2 years |
| CEU hours required | 60 CEUs | 10 CEUs |
| Retake option | Yes — $125 member / $250 non-member | Not standard (CEUs required) |
| Primary CEU sources | AAMA modules, CMA Today, approved colleges | NHA CE center, approved third parties |
Can I just retake the CMA exam instead of doing CEUs?
Yes. AAMA offers exam recertification at the same fee as the initial exam — $125 for AAMA members and $250 for non-members. You apply through AAMA, sit for the exam again, and if you pass, your certification renews for another 5 years with no CEU documentation needed.
This path makes sense if:
• You lost track of your CEUs and cannot document 60 hours in time
• You prefer one focused study period over five years of tracking paperwork
• You are already reviewing the material for a teaching or supervisory role
It does not make sense if you have been steadily accumulating CEUs — at that point, submitting what you already have is cheaper and less stressful than studying for a full exam.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Your CEUs or retake application must be submitted before your certification expiration date. AAMA does not accept late submissions, and there is no grace period. If you miss the date, your CMA (AAMA) status lapses and you can no longer use the credential professionally until you recertify by exam.
AAMA does try to help you avoid this. Reminder notices start going out 18 months before your expiration date, and continue at intervals as the deadline approaches. Check that AAMA has your current email and mailing address in your member profile — a lapsed credential because a reminder went to an old address is a painful and completely avoidable outcome.
Set a calendar reminder 24 months out and again at 12 months. Do not rely on AAMA's notices alone.
Where can I find free or low-cost CEUs?
AAMA members get access to free CEU modules through the member portal — this is one of the strongest reasons to keep your membership active during your 5-year cycle. CMA Today, the AAMA journal, also publishes articles with attached CEU quizzes that members can complete at no extra cost.
Other low-cost or free options:
• Employer-sponsored in-service training (ask HR to document it in an AAMA-acceptable format)
• Community college continuing education courses in medical office topics
• AAMA-approved online CE courses from third-party providers
• Manufacturer or vendor training on equipment you actually use at work
A realistic plan: knock out 12 CEUs per year through a mix of free AAMA modules and one or two employer trainings. That pace gets you to 60 with room to spare and no last-year panic.
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