Articles2026-03-09T16:55:13+00:00

Health Certifications and Medical Certifications Blog

Read our medical field related blog posts

  • 18
    May
    How to Become a Medical Assistant in 2026: 4-Step Path — hero image

    How to Become a Medical Assistant in 2026: 4-Step Path

    A 4-step path to becoming a medical assistant in 8-14 weeks: training, externship, NHA CCMA or AAMA CMA exam, and your first MA job.

  • 18
    May
    Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in 2026 (How to Choose) — hero image

    Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in 2026 (How to Choose)

    What to look for in online medical assistant programs — NHA accreditation, externship placement at named partner clinics, exam fee included, and 80%+ pass rates.

  • 17
    May
    Phlebotomy jobs no experience — Phlebotomy Jobs With No Experience: 5 Real Entry Paths

    Phlebotomy Jobs With No Experience: 5 Real Entry Paths

    Five real entry paths to a phlebotomy job with no prior healthcare experience — from externship conversions to plasma centers, hospital trainee programs, and mobile draw work.

  • 17
    May
    Pharmacy technician vs pharmacist — Pharmacy Tech vs Pharmacist: Training, Scope, and Pay

    Pharmacy Tech vs Pharmacist: Training, Scope, and Pay

    Pharmacy technician vs pharmacist: 12-week certificate vs 6-8 year PharmD program. Compare training, scope, daily work, and pay.

  • 16
    May
    Pharmacy Technician Job Description: What CPhTs Actually Do — hero image

    Pharmacy Technician Job Description: What CPhTs Actually Do

    A complete pharmacy technician job description: core duties, day-in-the-life across retail/hospital/mail-order/compounding, and what hiring managers prioritize.

  • 16
    May
    Certified Medical Assistant Salary 2026: Pay by State and Setting — hero image

    Certified Medical Assistant Salary 2026: Pay by State and Setting

    CMA pay 2026: $42,500 median nationally. State and specialty practice drive most variation. Plus what boosts CMA salary fastest in the first 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the training programs online or in-person?2026-01-03T02:58:09+00:00

All of our programs are 100% online, offering flexibility for students to complete their coursework at their own pace.

Programs are followed by an optional unpaid externship for hands-on experience.

HealthCareer Certs has partnerships with clinics nationwide to provide externship placements at a location convenient to the student.

What’s on the CCMA Exam?2026-01-03T02:58:33+00:00

Time Limit: 3 hours

Question Format: 150 scored multiple-choice questions, plus 30 unscored pretest questions. Each question has four possible answers.

Topic Breakdown:

Topic # of Questions Percentage
Clinical Patient Care 84 56%
Foundational Knowledge & Basic Science 15 10%
Patient Care Coordination & Education 12 8%
Administrative Assisting 12 8%
Communication & Customer Service 12 8%
Medical Law & Ethics 7 5%
Anatomy & Physiology 8 5%
Total 150 100%

Test Format:

The exam is administered either:

  • At an authorized testing center or
  • Online, with live proctoring.

Prohibited Items:

Calculators, cheat sheets, study guides, and electronic devices are not allowed in the testing room.

What Tuition Payment Options Are Available?2026-01-03T02:58:48+00:00

Upfront Payment: Pay your full tuition upfront for convenience and savings.

Installment Plans: Choose to pay your tuition in manageable installments over the course of your class.

Our goal is to make healthcare certification accessible and affordable for all students. These options provide flexibility while ensuring that your healthcare education is financially manageable.

Can I get college credits after I pass my exam?2026-01-03T02:59:12+00:00
  • Yes, you can earn college credit by passing your exam.
  • Credits can be transferred to other colleges and universities.
  • You will receive credits from the American Council on Education (ACE) after passing exams in:
  • CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant): 5 ACE Credits
  • CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician): 2 ACE Credits
  • CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician): 1 ACE Credit
  • ACE credits are recognized by over 2,000 colleges and universities.

The credits can be transferred to those institutions, allowing you to:

Save time and money.

Complete a healthcare-related degree without starting from scratch.

Let us know if you are interested, and we will assist in providing you the credits. If you have any questions regarding college credits please email us at collegecredits@healthcareercerts.org

Do you guarantee externship program?2026-01-03T02:59:26+00:00
  • Yes! We have a dedicated department that manages externship placements.
  • Graduates are placed at a hospital or clinic convenient to their location.
  • Our externships provide valuable hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare environment.
  • This opportunity significantly enhances their employment prospects in the healthcare field.
  • We provide externship placement without any additional fees for our students.
  • If you have any questions regarding externships please email us at externship@healthcareercerts.org
What’s your Return & Program Withdrawal Policy?2026-01-03T02:59:40+00:00

At HealthcareerCerts, we value your commitment to advancing your career. Please review our return and withdrawal policies below:

A. 24-Hour Return Policy

Students may request a full refund within 24 hours of purchase. Refunds will not be issued after this period.

All approved refunds will be processed back to the original payment method within 7–10 business days.

What’s included in your program tuition?2026-01-03T03:00:10+00:00
  • One-on-One Zoom Meetings: Regular, personalized sessions with your instructor for direct support and guidance.
  • Interactive Online Classroom: Access to engaging online learning tools, including practice quizzes, flashcards, and other study materials to prepare for your certification exam.
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Exam Prep: Comprehensive preparation to ensure you’re ready for the certification exam.
  • Guaranteed Externship Placement: Secured placement in a hospital or clinic in your area to gain hands-on experience and practical skills.
  • Career-Ready Knowledge: Both academic and practical training designed to set you up for success in the healthcare field.
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