What the Course Entails and Exam Details

The administrative assisting portion of the RMA curriculum focuses on managing the practical workflow and data within a medical office. While a complete medical assisting course covers everything from phlebotomy to patient interaction, the administrative skills are the backbone of patient flow and financial health.

The key domains covered include:

• Medical Office Procedures: Managing the front desk, answering phones, patient scheduling, and general office workflow.

• Medical Law and Ethics: Understanding HIPAA, patient rights, and professional conduct.

• Health Information Management: Creating and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs), data privacy, and filing systems.

• Medical Billing and Coding Basics: Introduction to CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS code sets, and managing insurance claims.

• Patient Coordinator and Communication: Effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare providers.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The RMA certification exam is a comprehensive test, not a standalone administrative module. However, the administrative components represent a significant percentage of the overall score. You will take a computer-based examination that covers all required knowledge.

Here is what you can expect:

• Exam Format: Multiple-choice questions.

• Number of Questions: Approximately 200 questions.

• Time Limit: You will typically be given 2 hours to complete the entire exam.

• Passing Score: The required passing score is 70 on a scaled score range of 0-100.

• Finality: There is no practical or skills-based component to this certification exam; it is purely a theoretical assessment of your knowledge.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Success on the RMA exam requires a structured study plan that includes both content review and test-taking simulation.

Study Strategies:

1. Utilize Official Resources: Use the official AMT RMA Review Course and content breakdown as your primary guide.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice: The most effective study tool is a reliable practice exam. It helps you identify knowledge gaps and get used to the pace and style of official questions.

3. Master Key Terminology: The RMA relies heavily on correct terminology, medical suffixes, prefixes, and billing codes.

4. Create Flashcards: Use digital or physical flashcards for definitions, codes, and legal terms.

Exam Centers:

You cannot take the official RMA exam through random online portals. The process is standardized to ensure integrity:

1. Apply via AMT: Submit your application and fee to American Medical Technologists to get your 'Authorization to Test.'

2. Schedule via Pearson VUE: Most RMA candidates must schedule their final exam at an authorized Pearson VUE testing center. Pearson VUE has locations globally.

3. Authorized Schools: In some cases, students in accredited medical assisting programs can take the exam at their school under approved proctoring.

Job Opportunities from the Course

The RMA certification is a direct line to many in-demand front-office and administrative positions within the healthcare sector. Your combined clinical and administrative training makes you an invaluable asset to a practice.

Specific job titles unlocked by this certification include:

• Medical Administrative Assistant

• Medical Receptionist

• Patient Coordinator

• Medical Biller (entry-level)

• Medical Records Technician

• Practice Manager (with experience)

• Front Office Supervisor