The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has advocated getting medical assisting certification language changed in California to provide more access to employment in California.
“As part of our mission, NHA always strives to remove barriers for certification holders,” said Jessica Langley-Loep, executive director of education and advocacy at NHA. “Modifying state regulation supports healthcare employers, educators and learners looking to enter the medical assisting profession, which as we know is currently an in-demand industry for qualified front-line workers.”
The California Medical Board (CMB) has previously recognized only non-profit, tax-exempt certification providers as valid MA certification providers. A change to recognize nationally accredited certification organizations by the California Medical Board would expand job opportunities to not only NHA-certified but all nationally certified medical assistants in the state.
NHA has actively worked with the CMB to submit language — along with industry petitions and feedback to CMB — to strike the requirement that certification providers carry non-profit, tax-exempt status.
NHA contends that tax-exempt status bears no relationship to the quality of the certifying organization.
Language in the petition requested:
- To strike that certifying organizations be non-profit and tax-exempt
- Certifying organizations provide documentation that they are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- A deadline for organizations to achieve NCCA accreditation by Jan. 1, 2027
NHA is thrilled to announce that the changes summarized above have been approved and become law effective April 1, 2022. “Medical assistants play a critical role in doctors’ offices throughout California and the Board hopes the recently adopted regulations facilitate access to qualified medical assistants,” said Board Executive Director William Prasifka.
As a result of the revised language approval, NHA is actively seeking approval from the CAMB for its Certified Clinical Medical Assisting (CCMA) certification.
If you have questions or comments regarding this change to regulation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jessica Langley-Loep.
Want more information and details on this topic? We encourage you to check out NHA’s "News Center Video" summarizing this update.