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Failed the CCMA? How Retakes Work

Not passing the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam on the first try is not the end of the road. NHA allows a retake after a 30-day waiting period and gives you three attempts in total, with at least 30 days between each. Fail a third time and every further attempt requires a one-year wait. Each retake means registering again and paying the full exam price.

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  • 💡 Key Takeaways — the one transferable rule per question
  • 🔍 Hint highlights — the decisive cue phrases in each stem
  • 📖 Full rationales — why every option is right or wrong

Every CCMA question is written to the current exam outline for quick learning and a clear pass strategy.

Written and reviewed by the LexPort exam-prep team, led by our Founder & Exam-Prep Lead. LexPort builds certification practice questions — this is exam-preparation material, not medical advice. Last reviewed October 2026.

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How long do I wait before retaking the CCMA?
At least 30 days. NHA’s candidate handbook allows a retake after a 30-day waiting period, and the same minimum applies between every attempt.
How many times can I take the CCMA?
Three attempts, each at least 30 days apart. After a third unsuccessful attempt, NHA requires a one-year wait before each further try.
How do I schedule a retake?
Log in to the NHA website as a returning candidate, schedule the exam, and submit the fee. There is no separate retake application.
What does a retake cost?
The full price again — NHA requires you to re-register and pay the full examination price for each retake attempt.
What score do I need next time?
A scaled score of 390 out of 500. NHA states that 390/500 is the passing score for all of its examinations.

Test yourself: 3 CCMA practice questions

Tap an answer for instant feedback and the full rationale. The app has 2,300+, timed and scored.

Question 1

A 55-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease arrives for a follow-up. The patient exhibits labored breathing and nasal flaring after walking from the waiting room to the scale.

▸ Why A is the answer

Dyspnea is defined as difficult, labored, or painful breathing, which is clearly demonstrated by the patient's nasal flaring and exertion-induced distress. Apnea is the complete absence of breathing. Eupnea is normal, unlabored breathing. Orthopnea specifically requires the patient to be lying flat to trigger symptoms, whereas this patient is experiencing distress from physical exertion.

🔑 Key takeaway

Dyspnea is the clinical term for difficult, labored, or painful breathing.

Question 2

During a pivot transfer to the exam table, a patient who has generalized weakness suddenly buckles at the knees and begins to fall.

▸ Why C is the answer

If a patient with generalized weakness begins to fall, you should not try to stop the fall completely, as this can cause severe injury to both of you. Instead, you should use the gait belt to ease the patient safely to the floor while protecting their head. Options A and D risk back injury to you and shoulder dislocation for the patient. Option B is dangerous because the chair might tip or miss the patient entirely.

🔑 Key takeaway

If a patient falls during transfer, gently ease them to the floor.

Question 3

A patient with a history of poorly controlled diabetes presents to the clinic and reports bilateral numbness in the lower extremities. Which of the following items should the medical assistant set up for the provider?

▸ Why B is the answer

A 10-gram monofilament is the standard instrument used to assess peripheral neuropathy and loss of protective sensation in the feet of diabetic patients. A 512 Hz tuning fork is used for auditory testing, whereas a 128 Hz fork would be used for vibratory sense in the legs. A goniometer measures joint angles for orthopedic exams and does not test nerve function. An ophthalmoscope is used to evaluate the retina, which is important for diabetics but does not address lower extremity numbness.

🔑 Key takeaway

A 10-gram monofilament is essential for assessing peripheral neuropathy and loss of protective sensation in diabetic patients.

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CCMA · Exam Simulator

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C) Option C
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