Both the CMA and the RMA are the certifications for medical assistants. CMA stands for Certified Medical Assistant, while RMA stands for Registered Medical Assistant. The main difference between CMA and RMA lies in the organizations that grant the certificates. CMA is awarded by an American Association AAMA (American Association of Physician Assistants), while RMA is awarded by AMT (American Medical Technologist), which itself is registered with the National Commission of Certifying Agencies.

What is CMA?

CMA stands for Certified Medical Assistant. It is the medical assistant certificate that allows you to get a job with a doctor or physician as a medical assistant. CMA is awarded by the AAMA (American Association of Physician Assistants). CMA certification is required to be renewed every five years. In many of the states, to get the CMA, you must first be a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

What is RMA?

RMA stands for registered medical assistant. It is also a medical assistant certificate to get a job with a doctor or physician as your assistant. The RMA is granted by AMT (American Medical Technologists), which in turn has an accreditation with the NCCA (National Commission of Certifying Agencies). The topics for the CMA and RMA exams are different from each other to some extent.

Key differences

1. CMA stands for Certified Medical Assistant, while RMA stands for Registered Medical Assistant.
2. RMA is awarded by AMT (American Medical Technologists) while CMA is awarded by AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants).
3. Both CMA and RMA require you to do similar work, but in some states, many of the medical institutes simply recognize CMA but do not accept RMA.
4. RMA basically registers you as a Physician Assistant, but CMA is certifying you for Physician Assistantship.
5. In many of the states, to get the CMA, you must first be a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) which is not the case for RMA.
6. According to the survey of “Payscale.com”, the income of the CMA holder is comparatively more than that of the RMA holder.
7. The topics for the CMA and RMA exams are different from each other to some extent.