CCMA exam guide: format, scoring and content
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has 180 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours. 150 questions count toward your score; 30 are unscored pretest questions.
Exam format at a glance
| Questions | 180 (150 scored + 30 pretest) |
|---|---|
| Time | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Question type | Multiple choice |
| Delivery | Computer-based, proctored |
| Score scale | Scaled scores from 200 to 500 |
| Passing score | 390 |
| Language | English only; translators are not allowed and limited English is not treated as a disability. |
| Test plan | CCMA test plan based on the 2022 job analysis (marketed by NHA as 'CCMA 3.0'); exam launched January 10, 2024. No newer CCMA test plan announced as of 2026-10-21. |
- Pretest items are not identified and do not affect your score.
- Items may require recall and critical thinking about a knowledge statement, a task statement, or both.
- Built-in exam calculator only; personal calculators and the computer's own calculator are not allowed.
What the CCMA exam covers
NHA’s test plan splits the 150 scored questions across 7 domains. Clinical Patient Care alone is 84 questions. See every domain and subdomain.
| Domain | Scored questions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science | 15 | 10% |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 | 5.3% |
| Clinical Patient Care | 84 | 56% |
| Patient Care Coordination and Education | 12 | 8% |
| Administrative Assisting | 12 | 8% |
| Communication and Customer Service | 12 | 8% |
| Medical Law and Ethics | 7 | 4.7% |
Ways to take the exam
- At an NHA-authorized school or employer site, if you are affiliated with one.
- At a PSI test center.
- By Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) at home; requires a compatible computer and an internet connection that supports VoIP. NHA assigns the LRP provider.
- Candidates who register on their own (not through a school or employer) test at PSI or by LRP.
Scratch materials
- PSI test center: physical whiteboard, marker and eraser from the proctor (no scratch paper since June 1, 2026).
- Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): digital whiteboard in the testing platform (no scratch paper since June 1, 2026).
- Exam at your school or employer: 2 sheets of scratch paper from the proctor, returned before leaving.
CCMA pass rate
NHA reports that 78,681 CCMA exams were given in 2024, with a pass rate of 81.38%. 233,190 CCMA certifications were active on December 31, 2024. Exam fees are listed by NHA; check the current fee on NHA’s website when you register.
CCMA exam FAQ
- How many questions are on the CCMA exam?
- 180 multiple-choice questions: 150 scored questions and 30 pretest questions. Pretest items are not identified and do not affect your score.
- How long is the CCMA exam?
- 3 hours (180 minutes).
- What score do you need to pass the CCMA exam?
- A scaled score of 390. Scores are scaled from 200 to 500.
- What is on the CCMA exam?
- 7 domains from NHA’s test plan: Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science (15 questions), Anatomy and Physiology (8 questions), Clinical Patient Care (84 questions), Patient Care Coordination and Education (12 questions), Administrative Assisting (12 questions), Communication and Customer Service (12 questions), Medical Law and Ethics (7 questions).
- What was the CCMA pass rate?
- NHA reports a 81.38% pass rate for the CCMA in 2024, across 78,681 exams.
- Can I retake the CCMA exam?
- If you fail, you may retake after a 30-day wait. You get 3 attempts, with at least 30 days between attempts. After the third attempt, each further failure requires a 1-year wait. Every retake requires re-registering and paying the full fee.
- How do I take the CCMA exam?
- At an NHA-authorized school or employer site, if you are affiliated with one. At a PSI test center. By Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) at home; requires a compatible computer and an internet connection that supports VoIP. NHA assigns the LRP provider. Candidates who register on their own (not through a school or employer) test at PSI or by LRP.
Facts checked against NHA’s test plan and Candidate Handbook on October 21, 2026. Rules can change: confirm with NHA before your exam. CCMA Prep is an independent app, not made by or connected to NHA.
Sources
- NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Test Plan - Based on 2022 Job Analysis · National Healthcareer Association
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification page · National Healthcareer Association
- Now Available: CCMA 3.0 Certification Exam & Study Materials (May 2023) · National Healthcareer Association
- Product & Cert Portal Updates · NHA Help Center
- NHA Candidate Handbook (Updated 10/05/2026) · National Healthcareer Association
- 2024 Pass Rates for NHA Examinations (Revised 1/8/25) · National Healthcareer Association