The South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and the Board of Nursing, as of Oct. 20, 2016, now require Medical Assistants to submit “proof of having passed a national certifying exam approved by the boards”.  NHA’ s medical assistant certification (CCMA) is a national certification exam that has been approved by these boards. The list of qualifications for applicants is listed below along with the approved educational program definition.   

20:84:03:01.  Qualifications of applicants. 

An applicant for registration shall provide:

(1)  Proof of graduation from a medical assistant program approved by the boards;

(2)  Proof of good moral character;

(3)  Proof the applicant has graduated from high school or passed a standard equivalency test;

(4)  Documentation showing the applicant is at least 18 years of age; and

(5)  Proof of having passed a national certifying exam approved by the boards.

20:84:04:01.  Approved education programs.

An applicant for registration shall have graduated from a medical assistant program that is approved by the boards or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or a similar accrediting institution approved by the United States Department of Education.

Approved programs must provide classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences that provide for student attainment of entry level competence as a registered medical assistant.