Earn College Credit for NHA Certifications | NHA News Center

Did you know that you can earn ACE College Credit on select NHA certifications? 

NHA and ACE Credit have partnered to make it possible for students to earn college credit for select certification exams. This means that students can earn college credit for the skills and knowledge they have already acquired, saving them time and money. 

What is ACE Credit? 

ACE Credit is a service that helps people earn college credit for non-traditional learning experiences, such as NHA certification exams. ACE Credit is recognized by over 2,000 colleges and universities, so credits earned through ACE Credit can be transferred to these institutions. This can save people time and money by allowing them to complete a degree within a related healthcare field without having to start from scratch. 

Which NHA Certification Exams have been approved by ACE? 

The following NHA certification exams have been approved by ACE for college credit: 

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA): 5 credits, lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT): 2 credits, lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
• Certified EKG Technician (CET): 3 credits, lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
• Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPC/A): 2 credits, lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
• Certified Electronic Health Records (CEHRS): 2 credits, lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) – 3 credits, lower-division/baccalaureate/associate degree category
• Certified Medical Billing & Coding (CBCS) – 3 credits, vocational-certificate category

NOTE: There are specific eligibility dates for each exam listed above. Please check NHA’s ACE Credit webpage to see make sure you qualify.  

Benefits of Earning College Credit through ACE Credit 

There are many benefits to earning college credit through ACE Credit, including: 

• You can earn college credit for the skills and knowledge you have already acquired through your NHA certifications. 
• You can transfer your credits to other colleges and universities to help you complete a degree in a related field. 
• You can save time and money by earning college credit without having to take/re-take similar college courses. 
• You can improve your job prospects by demonstrating your skills and knowledge to potential employers. 
  

How Does ACE College Credit Work? 

Initially, NHA does all the work for you. We submit our exam information and details to ACE to be reviewed by a team of industry experts who then recommend or assign the number of college credits.  

STEP ONE:

To earn college credit through ACE Credit, you must first pass an approved NHA certification exam.

STEP TWO:

Once you have passed an approved exam, your information will be submitted to ACE via Accredible. a digital credentialing platform that allows organizations to create, issue, and manage digital badges and transcripts.

STEP THREE:

Accredible will then send you an email letting you know that your badge/digital transcript is ready for you to access, accept, and share. Just follow a few easy steps and you are all set.

Please note that the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credit is always up to the incoming institution and it is not a guarantee that transfer credit will be aligned or awarded.

These credits do expire so make sure you accept your digital transcript quickly so you can get the full benefits of this service.  

The partnership between NHA and ACE Credit is a great opportunity for healthcare professionals to earn college credit for the skills and knowledge they have already acquired through their NHA certifications. This can help you save time and money, improve your job prospects, and advance your career. 

To learn more about how to earn college credit through ACE Credit, visit the NHA ACE Credit website, our FAQ document, or contact ACE Credit directly. 

Updates to Issuer of Transcripts & Digital Badges for ACE Approved NHA Exams

Starting November 4, 2025 NHA will be transitioning to a single digital credential provider, Accredible, for all digital badging and transcript requests. This change will streamline the process and provide a more consistent experience for our students and alumni.

If you already have an account and accepted badges in Credly, they will still be available for you to use.