RMA or CMA? Which One is Better?

Suzy Ashmore shared the following with us:
Re: RMA vs CMA (AAMA) - One better than the other?

"WOW!!! I am appalled at the amount of misinformation still being posted. i.e.: "RMA goes to college and the CMA does not", and "CMA is only recognized state wide, RMA is a national certificate", and on and on. If you people really want to know the facts, you need to contact representatives of the state societies in the state in which you live. Both, American Medical Technologists (AMT) and AAMA have chapters in all 50 states, including the Caribbean."

What is the Difference Between RMA and CMA?

I live in Oklahoma and there is no state chapter here for AAMA. This whole controversy started over this: AAMA has the CMA designation (with capital letters) COPYRIGHTED. So this means that any other organization that wishes to "certify" medical assistants CANNOT use CMA with capital letters. The AAMA is the only organization that can use "Certified". All others can say their ma's are "certified". Look closely here: the only difference is the CAPITALIZATION.

AAMA, AMT, ARMA, AAMP, NHA, and NCCA

A medical assistant is a medical assistant, regardless of the type of "credential" they hold, but, there are slight differences in the organizations (AAMA, AMT, ARMA, AAMP, NHA, NCCA) themselves. To certify through AAMA, you MUST have received your MA training from a formal school - a trade or vocational school, or a college. All the other organizations will allow you to sit for the exam if you have OJT (on job training). All 4 of these organizations I mentioned above are NATIONWIDE accepted. There may be some states that require a state certificate that may not be accepted in another state, but these 4 are good ANY WHERE!! Which credential is better???? Who knows.

RMA Applying for CMA Position

If you are RMA and wish to apply for a job that calls only for CMA, I suggest you contact AMT to obtain a letter that will inform employers that RMA is the same as CMA. I guess this controversy will never end. If medical assistants themselves are confused over the designation, how can you expect a doctor or an office manager to know the difference between the medical assistant certifications?

• Thank You For Your Request!