How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant in Illinois (2026 Guide)

How to Become a CMA in Illinois: Step by Step

The CMA exam and AAMA eligibility rules are the same nationwide. Illinois's only state-specific layer is that there isn't one — most states regulate medical assistant duties only through physician delegation, not a separate license.

1. 1
   Graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program

   Unlike some certifications, CMA has only one eligibility pathway — there is no work-experience alternative. You must graduate from (or be in your final semester of) a Medical Assistant program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, which includes a required supervised practicum/externship.
2. 2
   Pass the national CMA exam

   Register with the AAMA and pay the exam fee ($125 for members, $250 for non-members — this never varies by state). The exam is 200 multiple-choice questions (180 scored, 20 unscored pretest) over 3 hours split into 4 segments, at a PSI test center or via remote proctoring. A scaled score of 405 is required to pass.
3. 3
   No separate state step — Illinois has none

   Illinois does not require medical assistants to hold any state-issued license or registration. Your supervising physician determines which clinical tasks you're delegated to perform, based on your training. No state MA license or certification requirement. Medical assistants are not authorized to administer medications and are barred from any task requiring clinical judgment or interpretation of results.
4. 4
   Apply for your first medical assistant position

   With CMA certification in hand, you can apply to physician offices, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices. Average pay in Illinois is $19.84/hr.

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