One of the benefits of membership is that Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are offered free or at a discount to our members.
CMAs are required to recertify every 5 years. Recertification may be obtained through re-examination or through collecting 60 hours of continuing education credits throughout a 5 year period.
To learn more about continuing education opportunities, click on CEUs
WSSMA holds an annual two-day Leadership Retreat usually in Issaquah, Washington during the month of March. The Leadership Retreat provides wonderful professional networking opportunities and a time for us to renew our personal connections with each other.
Continuing education is usually available as well as a speaker from the AAMA National Speakers Bureau. Our spring quarterly Board of Trustees meeting is also held at the Leadership Retreat.
Accreditation of Medical Assisting Programs assures a high standard of education and training of the program graduates.
Students graduating from CAAHEP or ABHES Accredited Medical Assisting Programs are eligible to sit for the AAMA Certification Exam upon graduation.
For more information about AAMA and CAAHEP Accreditation, please click on AAMA.
Scholarships
National (AAMA) and state (WSSMA) scholarships are available to medical assisting students within Washington state. Chapter scholarships may also be available.
The national scholarship from AAMA is called The Maxine Williams Scholarship. The state scholarship from WSSMA is called The Nancy Fortin Scholarship.
Both scholarships are available to medical assisting students enrolled in CAAHEP Accredited Programs and are awarded on the basis of interest, need and aptitude.
For information about the (national) Maxine Williams Scholarship click on AAMA and for information about the (state) Nancy Fortin Scholarship click on Scholarship Committee. For information about chapter scholarships, check with each chapter.
Information about job-related legal matters such as our Scope of Practice, legality of performing certain duties, malpractice liability, employee and independent contractor status, and individual state laws is available from the AAMA staff legal counsel, Don A. Balasa, JD, MBA through the AAMA.
The WSSMA library has a variety of books and tapes available for use on an individual or chapter basis. Study guides are also available for the AAMA National Certification Exam. Please go to the Library Committee for a complete listing and further information.
As an AAMA/WSSMA member, you will receive discounts for car rentals, convention registration, self-study courses, and become eligible for an AAMA credit card!
Get special rates for professional liability, life, accidental death and disability, disability income and cancer expenses offered through your professional organization.
Members also receive the CMA Today (formerly the PMA) magazine, discounted registration fees for seminars, workshops, conventions and other professional activities.
Contact AAMA for more information about these benefits.
