Study plan
A CCMA study plan for 4, 8 or 12 weeks
To pass the NHA CCMA exam, study in proportion to the 2022 test plan: General Patient Care alone is 28 of the 150 scored items, EKG only 6. Pick the 4, 8 or 12-week plan below, each weighted that way and each ending with a timed mock and a light final week.
- scored items
- 150
- categories
- 12
- week plans
- 4 · 8 · 12
§01
Where the 150 scored items sit
Time follows the bars. Tap one for its category page.
§02
Three rules every plan follows
If you only remember one: big categories first.
Every plan below follows the same three rules.
- Weight by the test plan. Clinical Patient Care is 84 of 150 scored items. General Patient Care gets the most days; EKG (6 items) gets the fewest, though lead placement still earns its flashcards.
- Questions every week. Reading alone feels productive and isn't. Finish each week with that category's quiz in the study guide.
- Test under time before the end. The real exam is 180 questions in 3 hours, about one a minute (exam length). Take the timed mock early in your last week, at least 3 to 4 days before the exam.
§03
Pick a plan
Numbers in parentheses are scored items for that category.
For people who already work in a clinic or just finished a program. About 5 study days a week; clinical domains first because they are 84 of the 150 scored items.
| When | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | General Patient Care (28) + Patient Intake and Vitals (14) | Positions, asepsis, injection angles, wound care, BP staging, vital-sign ranges. End with both category quizzes. |
| Week 2 | Infection Control (15), Phlebotomy (12), POCT and Lab (9), EKG (6) | Order of draw, PPE order, precautions, CLIA-waived tests, lead placement, artifacts. Flashcards daily. |
| Week 3 | Foundational (15), A&P (8), Coordination (12), Admin (12), Communication (12), Law and Ethics (7) | Terminology and dosage math, code sets, scheduling, consent, scope, teach-back. Practice test at the end of the week. |
| Week 4 | Mixed review and the mock exam | Timed mock early in the week; redo your 3 weakest categories; last 2 days light review and ID and logistics check. |
The middle option: one or two domains a week, then two weeks of mixed practice.
| When | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Foundational Knowledge (15) + Anatomy and Physiology (8) | Word parts, agencies (FDA vs CDC vs OSHA), dosage math, heart flow, directional terms. |
| Week 2 | Patient Intake and Vitals (14) + Medical Law and Ethics (7) | Vital-sign ranges, BP staging and cuff errors, consent types, HIPAA rules, MA scope. |
| Week 3 | General Patient Care (28) | The largest category: positions, sterile vs clean technique, injections, emergencies. Two quiz passes. |
| Week 4 | Infection Control (15) + POCT and Lab (9) | Chain of infection, PPE order, autoclave, CLIA-waived tests and quality control. |
| Week 5 | Phlebotomy (12) + EKG (6) | Order of draw (venous and capillary), tube additives, V1 to V6 placement, artifacts. |
| Week 6 | Coordination (12), Administrative (12), Communication (12) | Teach-back, referrals, scheduling types, ICD-10 vs CPT, therapeutic communication. |
| Week 7 | Mixed practice | Full practice test; list your 3 weakest categories and redo their quizzes. |
| Week 8 | Mock exam and taper | Timed mock early in the week; flashcards only in the last 2 days; confirm ID and test appointment. |
For people studying around a job or family: one domain a week, review weeks built in.
| When | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science (15) | Medical terminology word parts, agencies, basic pharmacology, dosage math. |
| Week 2 | Anatomy and Physiology (8) + Medical Law and Ethics (7) | Body systems, heart flow; scope, consent types, HIPAA, charting corrections. |
| Week 3 | Patient Intake and Vitals (14) | Ranges, BP staging, orthostatics, temperature routes, BMI. |
| Week 4 | General Patient Care, part 1 (28 in total) | Positions, sterile field rules, injection angles and routes, rights of medication. |
| Week 5 | General Patient Care, part 2 | Wound care, irrigation, emergencies, EHR; category quiz. |
| Week 6 | Infection Control and Safety (15) | Chain of infection, precautions, PPE order, sterilization, sharps, needlestick steps. |
| Week 7 | Phlebotomy (12) + POCT and Lab (9) | Order of draw, additives, vein choice, CLIA-waived tests, specimen handling. |
| Week 8 | EKG (6) + first checkpoint | Lead placement, artifacts, paper standard; then a full practice test to find weak spots. |
| Week 9 | Coordination and Education (12) + Communication (12) | Teach-back, referrals, health literacy, therapeutic techniques, interpreters. |
| Week 10 | Administrative Assisting (12) | Scheduling types, records, ICD-10-CM vs CPT vs HCPCS, insurance and claims. |
| Week 11 | Mixed review | Full practice test; redo the 3 weakest categories from your practice results. |
| Week 12 | Mock exam and taper | Timed mock early in the week, 3 to 4 days before the exam at the latest; then flashcards and missed questions only; check ID, location or remote setup. |
§04
The last week
Keep it light. Cramming new topics now costs more than it gains.
Early in the week, 3 to 4 days out at the latest: one timed run
Take the mock exam under time, then review every miss.
Midweek: misses only
Redo the questions you missed and the flashcards you still hesitate on.
Last two days: logistics
Government-issued photo ID with a signature. For remote proctoring, a compatible computer and internet that supports VoIP. Only the built-in exam calculator is allowed.
§05
Planning questions
How long should I study for the CCMA?
There's no fixed rule. If you work in a clinic or finished a program recently, 4 weeks can be enough; studying around a job, 8 to 12 weeks is more realistic.
How do I pass the NHA CCMA exam?
Study in proportion to the test plan, practice questions every week, and take a timed mock before the exam. The passing mark is 390 on a 200 to 500 scaled score. More on whether the exam is hard.
Which categories matter most?
General Patient Care (28 scored items), then Foundational Knowledge and Infection Control (15 each), and Patient Intake and Vitals (14).
Do I need paid materials?
NHA says its prep isn't required. Free practice is here; paid options are compared on prep options compared.
§06
Sources
- NHA CCMA Test Plan (2022 job analysis) https://www.nhanow.com/docs/default-source/test-plans/nha_ccma_test_plan_2022.pdf · as of 2026-10-05
- NHA Candidate Handbook (updated 06/01/2026) https://www.nhanow.com/docs/default-source/test-plans/candidate_handbook.pdf · as of 2026-10-05