Key Takeaways
- The RMA exam consists of 210 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours (120 minutes)
- The passing score is a scaled score of 70 on a 0-100 scale
- The exam fee is $150 (includes exam registration and first annual membership fee); retakes cost $110
- The 2024 pass rate is approximately 70%, with the 2023 rate at 71%
- Testing is available at Pearson VUE test centers and online via OnVUE proctoring
- The exam covers 4 content domains: Clinical Patient Interaction (33.8%), Administrative Medical Assisting (26.7%), Anatomy & Physiology (20.9%), and Clinical Procedural Tasks (18.6%)
- AMT offers 5 eligibility routes: education (720+ clock hours), competency certification, work experience (3+ years), military training, and instructor qualifications
- RMA certification must be renewed every 3 years with 30 CCP points and an annual fee of $75
RMA (AMT) Registered Medical Assistant Exam Overview
The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential is awarded by American Medical Technologists (AMT) and is one of the most respected medical assistant certifications in the United States. The RMA demonstrates that a medical assistant has met the professional standards of knowledge, skills, and competency required for healthcare practice.
Exam Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) Certification Exam |
| Exam Body | American Medical Technologists (AMT) |
| Format | Computer-based, multiple-choice |
| Total Questions | 210 |
| Time Limit | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Passing Score | Scaled score of 70 (0-100 scale) |
| Exam Fee | $150 (includes exam + first annual fee) |
| Retake Fee | $110 |
| Testing Vendor | Pearson VUE (in-center or OnVUE online) |
| Testing Availability | Year-round |
| Pass Rate | ~70% (2024), ~71% (2023) |
| Results | Preliminary results at test center; official notification from AMT |
About the Exam Format
The RMA exam is a computer-based test (CBT) available at Pearson VUE testing centers or remotely via the OnVUE online proctoring system. Key details about the format:
- 210 total multiple-choice questions across all four content domains
- All questions are four-option multiple choice (select one best answer)
- Questions are distributed proportionally across the four content domains
- You can navigate between questions and change answers within the exam session
- There is no penalty for guessing -- answer every question even if unsure
- You have approximately 34 seconds per question on average
Scoring
The RMA exam uses a scaled scoring system:
- Raw scores are converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 100
- The passing scaled score is 70
- Scores are based on a criterion-referenced standard, not a curve
- If you do not pass, your score report indicates performance by content domain to guide future study
- Preliminary pass/fail results are typically displayed at the testing center
Content Domain Breakdown
The RMA exam tests knowledge across four content domains:
Domain 1: Anatomy & Physiology (20.9% -- approximately 44 questions)
- Body systems structure and function
- Common diseases and disorders
- Medical terminology (prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms)
- Pathophysiology of major conditions
Domain 2: Administrative Medical Assisting (26.7% -- approximately 56 questions)
- Insurance and billing procedures
- Medical coding (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS)
- HIPAA compliance and privacy
- Scheduling and office management
- Medical records and documentation
- Medical law, ethics, and regulatory compliance
Domain 3: Clinical Procedural Tasks (18.6% -- approximately 39 questions)
- Asepsis, infection control, and sterilization
- OSHA safety standards and bloodborne pathogens
- Surgical instruments and minor surgery assisting
- Laboratory procedures and CLIA regulations
- Quality control and specimen processing
Domain 4: Clinical Patient Interaction (33.8% -- approximately 71 questions)
- Vital signs measurement and interpretation
- Patient education and communication
- Pharmacology and medication administration
- Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG)
- Specimen collection (venipuncture, capillary, urinalysis)
- First aid, CPR, and emergency procedures
- Nutrition and dietary guidance
RMA vs. CMA: Key Differences
| Feature | RMA (AMT) | CMA (AAMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Body | American Medical Technologists (AMT) | American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) |
| Total Questions | 210 | 200 (180 scored + 20 pretest) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours (120 minutes) | 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes) |
| Passing Score | Scaled 70 / 100 | Scaled 430 / 750 (~64%) |
| Exam Fee | $150 | $250 (member) / $300 (non-member) |
| Eligibility | 5 routes (education, competency, experience, military, instructor) | CAAHEP/ABHES graduate only |
| Recertification | Every 3 years, 30 CCP points | Every 5 years, 60 CEUs |
| Testing | Pearson VUE + online | Prometric only |
| Content Domains | 4 domains | 3 domains |
| Online Testing | Yes (OnVUE) | No |
| Pass Rate | ~70% | ~65-70% |
The RMA is often preferred by candidates who did not attend a CAAHEP/ABHES-accredited program, as AMT offers multiple eligibility pathways including work experience and military training. Both credentials are widely recognized by employers nationwide.
How many total questions are on the RMA (AMT) certification exam?
What is the passing scaled score on the RMA exam?
Which content domain has the HIGHEST weight on the RMA exam?
How does the RMA exam cost compare to the CMA (AAMA) exam?
The RMA exam allows ___ minutes to complete 210 questions.
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Which of the following are content domains on the RMA exam? (Select all that apply)
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