100+ Free NHA CMAA Practice Questions
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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
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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.
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
Foundational Knowledge
Healthcare delivery models, medical terminology, abbreviations, TJC 'Do Not Use' list, prefixes/roots/suffixes, and basic anatomy and physiology.
Communication and Professionalism
Patient communication, telephone etiquette, therapeutic techniques, difficult interactions, written correspondence, and professional conduct.
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.
Scheduling
Scheduling methods (stream, wave, open, cluster), referral management, prior authorizations, cancellations, no-shows, surgical scheduling, and patient recall systems.
Patient Encounter
Patient check-in and check-out, insurance verification, copay collection, demographic updates, consent forms, triage, walk-in management, and encounter documentation.
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.
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
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.