100+ Free NHA CMAA Practice Questions

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What form must a patient sign to authorize release of their medical records to a third party?

Insurance claim form

Advance directive

Authorization for Release of Information (ROI)

Encounter form (superbill)

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NHA CMAA Exam

135

Total Exam Questions

NHA CMAA Test Plan (110 scored + 25 pretest)

390/500

Passing Score

NHA scaled scoring system

63%

2024 Pass Rate

NHA annual pass rates (9,390 exams)

$117

Exam Fee

NHA CMAA registration

2 yrs

Certification Validity

NHA renewal policy

100

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

NHA's CMAA test plan (based on a 2021 job analysis) lists 110 scored items plus 25 pretest items in 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a scaled passing score of 390/500. The top-weighted domains are Communication and Professionalism (21 items) and Patient Encounter (21 items), followed by Medical Law, Ethics, and Compliance (17 items) and Scheduling (16 items). The 2024 NHA pass rate report shows 63% passing across 9,390 exams administered, with 17,616 active certifications as of December 31, 2024. The exam fee is $117, and certification renews every 2 years with 10 CE credits and a $185 fee.

Sample NHA CMAA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NHA CMAA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which type of healthcare delivery model focuses on coordinating patient care across multiple providers with the primary care physician at the center?

A.Fee-for-service model

B.Patient-centered medical home (PCMH)

C.Urgent care clinic model

D.Retail health clinic model

Explanation: The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a care delivery model that emphasizes coordinated, team-based care with the primary care physician leading the care team. It focuses on whole-person health, preventive care, and improved patient access. Exam tip: PCMH = coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered, and accessible care with a primary care focus.

2What is the correct medical term for a condition affecting the heart?

A.Nephropathy

B.Cardiomyopathy

C.Hepatitis

D.Dermatitis

Explanation: Cardiomyopathy uses the root 'cardi/o' (heart) and the suffix '-myopathy' (disease of the muscle). Nephropathy refers to kidney disease, hepatitis to liver inflammation, and dermatitis to skin inflammation. Exam tip: Know common prefixes, roots, and suffixes — the CMAA tests medical terminology frequently.

3Which abbreviation is on The Joint Commission's (TJC) 'Do Not Use' list?

A.mg (milligrams)

B.U (for units)

C.mL (milliliters)

D.bid (twice daily)

Explanation: The abbreviation 'U' for units is on TJC's 'Do Not Use' list because it can be mistaken for '0' (zero), '4' (four), or 'cc.' The correct practice is to write out 'units' in full. Other banned abbreviations include 'IU,' 'QD,' 'QOD,' trailing zeros, and lack of leading zeros. Exam tip: Memorize the TJC 'Do Not Use' list — it appears frequently on the CMAA exam.

4What prefix means 'below normal' or 'deficient'?

A.Hyper-

B.Hypo-

C.Anti-

D.Brady-

Explanation: The prefix 'hypo-' means below normal or deficient, as in hypothermia (below-normal body temperature) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 'Hyper-' means above normal, 'anti-' means against, and 'brady-' means slow. Exam tip: Hypo = low/below; Hyper = high/above. These two are commonly confused on exams.

5Which body system is primarily responsible for filtering waste products from the blood?

A.Respiratory system

B.Urinary system

C.Endocrine system

D.Integumentary system

Explanation: The urinary system, with the kidneys as its primary organs, is responsible for filtering waste products and excess fluids from the blood to produce urine. The respiratory system handles gas exchange, the endocrine system produces hormones, and the integumentary system provides the body's outer covering. Exam tip: Know the primary function of each major body system for the CMAA.

6When communicating with a patient who has a hearing impairment, what is the BEST approach?

A.Shout loudly so the patient can hear

B.Face the patient, speak clearly, and use visual aids or written communication as needed

C.Speak as fast as possible to save time

D.Avoid making eye contact to reduce the patient's anxiety

Explanation: When communicating with hearing-impaired patients, face them directly so they can read your lips if needed, speak clearly at a moderate pace, and use visual aids, written notes, or interpreter services. Shouting can distort words and create a negative experience. Exam tip: Patient-centered communication adapts to the patient's needs — never assume one approach works for everyone.

7A patient arrives at the front desk visibly upset about a long wait time. What is the MOST appropriate response?

A.Tell the patient to calm down

B.Ignore the patient until they stop complaining

C.Acknowledge the patient's frustration, apologize for the wait, and provide an estimated wait time

D.Ask the patient to reschedule if they cannot wait

Explanation: De-escalation begins with acknowledging the patient's feelings and validating their frustration. Offering an apology and a realistic time estimate helps the patient feel heard and informed. Telling someone to 'calm down' typically escalates the situation. Exam tip: Acknowledge, apologize, inform — this three-step approach works for most patient complaints.

8Which form of communication is considered the MOST professional for sending protected health information (PHI) between providers?

A.Personal text message

B.Secure encrypted electronic messaging or fax with cover sheet

C.Social media direct message

D.Unencrypted email

Explanation: PHI must be transmitted through secure, HIPAA-compliant methods. Secure encrypted messaging systems and fax transmissions with proper cover sheets are acceptable methods. Personal texts, social media, and unencrypted emails do not meet HIPAA security requirements. Exam tip: If it's not encrypted or secured, don't send PHI through it.

9What is the purpose of using therapeutic communication techniques with patients?

A.To speed up the appointment

B.To establish trust, gather accurate information, and support the patient's emotional needs

C.To avoid discussing difficult topics

D.To demonstrate medical knowledge to the patient

Explanation: Therapeutic communication techniques like active listening, open-ended questions, reflecting, and empathy build trust with patients, encourage accurate information sharing, and provide emotional support. These techniques improve patient satisfaction and care outcomes. Exam tip: Therapeutic communication is patient-focused — open-ended questions and active listening are the foundation.

10When answering the telephone in a medical office, what information should be included in the greeting?

A.Just say 'Hello'

B.Practice name, your name, and an offer to help

C.Only the physician's name

D.The patient's account balance

Explanation: A professional telephone greeting should include the name of the practice, your name, and an offer of assistance (e.g., 'Thank you for calling ABC Medical Group, this is Sarah, how may I help you?'). This identifies the practice, creates accountability, and sets a professional tone. Exam tip: A proper phone greeting has three components — practice, person, purpose.

About the NHA CMAA Exam

The NHA CMAA exam validates entry-level competencies for medical administrative assistants working in the front office of medical practices and healthcare facilities. The exam covers 7 domains: foundational knowledge, communication and professionalism, medical law/ethics/compliance, scheduling, patient encounters, billing and revenue cycle, and medical practice administrative procedures. The CMAA is NHA's certification for healthcare administrative professionals who manage patient flow, scheduling, billing, and medical records.

Assessment

110 scored items + 25 pretest items, all multiple-choice

Time Limit

2 hours and 15 minutes

Passing Score

Scaled score 390/500

Exam Fee

$117 exam application (NHA / PSI Testing Centers / Live Remote Proctoring)

NHA CMAA Exam Content Outline

10 items (9%)

Foundational Knowledge

Healthcare delivery models, medical terminology, abbreviations, TJC 'Do Not Use' list, prefixes/roots/suffixes, and basic anatomy and physiology.

21 items (19%)

Communication and Professionalism

Patient communication, telephone etiquette, therapeutic techniques, difficult interactions, written correspondence, and professional conduct.

17 items (15%)

Medical Law, Ethics, and Compliance

HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, informed consent, patient rights, scope of practice, advance directives, compliance programs, fraud prevention, and legal concepts.

16 items (15%)

Scheduling

Scheduling methods (stream, wave, open, cluster), referral management, prior authorizations, cancellations, no-shows, surgical scheduling, and patient recall systems.

21 items (19%)

Patient Encounter

Patient check-in and check-out, insurance verification, copay collection, demographic updates, consent forms, triage, walk-in management, and encounter documentation.

11 items (10%)

Billing and Revenue Cycle

ICD-10-CM and CPT coding basics, CMS-1500, EOB, clearinghouses, aging reports, Medicare/Medicaid, managed care plans, coordination of benefits, and denial management.

14 items (13%)

Medical Practice Administrative Procedures and Logistics

Medical records management, EHR systems, filing systems, document destruction, inventory management, mail handling, tickler files, and office equipment.

How to Pass the NHA CMAA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score 390/500
Assessment: 110 scored items + 25 pretest items, all multiple-choice
Time limit: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Exam fee: $117 exam application

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NHA CMAA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on the two highest-weighted domains first: Communication/Professionalism and Patient Encounter together represent 38% of scored questions. Practice de-escalation scenarios, telephone etiquette, and patient check-in/check-out workflows.

2Memorize HIPAA fundamentals: the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, minimum necessary standard, breach notification requirements, and the difference between TPO disclosures (no authorization needed) and non-TPO disclosures (authorization required).

3Know scheduling methods cold: stream, wave, modified wave, open booking, cluster, and double booking. Be able to match each method to its best-use scenario. Also know referral and prior authorization workflows.

4Understand the revenue cycle flow from insurance verification through claim submission, payment posting, and denial management. Know the difference between copay, coinsurance, and deductible.

5Study medical terminology systematically — know common prefixes (hyper-, hypo-, tachy-, brady-), roots (cardi/o, hepat/o, nephr/o), and suffixes (-itis, -ectomy, -osis, -pathy). The CMAA tests terminology across all domains.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NHA CMAA exam?

The CMAA exam has 110 scored questions plus 25 unscored pretest items, for a total of 135 questions. Pretest items are used to develop future exam questions and do not count toward your score. You cannot tell which items are pretest, so answer all questions as if they are scored.

What score do I need to pass the CMAA exam?

The CMAA exam uses a scaled scoring system ranging from 200 to 500. The minimum passing score is 390 (approximately 78%). Your raw score is converted to the scaled score to account for differences in exam difficulty across test forms.

How much does the CMAA exam cost?

The exam application fee is $117. Some training programs include the exam fee in their tuition. Certification must be renewed every 2 years with 10 continuing education credits and a $185 renewal fee.

What is the CMAA exam pass rate?

According to NHA's 2024 annual pass rate report, 63% of 9,390 CMAA exams administered in 2024 resulted in a passing score. There were 17,616 active CMAA certifications as of December 31, 2024. The CMAA has one of the lower pass rates among NHA exams, making thorough preparation essential.

Can I take the CMAA exam remotely?

Yes. NHA offers live remote proctoring (LRP) as an option. You can take the exam from your home or office using a computer with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection running Google Chrome. You can also take the exam at a PSI testing center or at your school if they offer on-site testing.

What happens if I fail the CMAA exam?

If you fail, you can retake the exam after a 30-day waiting period. You are allowed up to 3 retake attempts. After failing the 3rd retake, you must wait 1 year before attempting the exam again. Each retake requires registering and paying the $117 exam fee.

What topics are most heavily tested on the CMAA exam?

Communication and Professionalism (21 items, 19%) and Patient Encounter (21 items, 19%) are tied for the most heavily weighted domains. Medical Law, Ethics, and Compliance (17 items, 15%) and Scheduling (16 items, 15%) are next. Together, these four domains account for 68% of scored questions.

100+ Free NHA CMAA Practice Questions

NHA CMAA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant

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