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

How to Become a CMA in New York: Step by Step

The CMA exam and AAMA eligibility rules are the same nationwide. New York'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 — New York has none

   New York 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 title protection. New York publishes a list of tasks unlicensed persons may not perform and prohibits unlicensed individuals from drawing up or administering medication through any route — a notably stricter default than most states' physician-delegation model.
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 New York is $22.44/hr.

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