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Both certified medical assistants (CMAs) and registered nurses (RNs) perform genuinely vital healthcare tasks. CMAs and RNs assist licensed doctors and other medical personnel and are often responsible for various patients’ general treatment and care. There are similarities between these two positions, but also several distinctions.
What is the difference between a CMA and an RN? Some factors that separate these two careers include specific day-to-day responsibilities, workplace environments, and the prerequisites necessary to work in this capacity. The amount of education required for these positions also differs; becoming a CMA typically requires a one-year post-secondary certificate while becoming an RN takes two to four years. CMA certification is available but optional, while nurses are required by law to be licensed, and some pursue certification in specialty areas such as pediatrics, oncology, or gerontology.
For those trying to decide between becoming either a CMA or an RN, it is crucial to fully understand the scope of both fields to move forward with a career path. Aspiring healthcare professionals will be pleased to know that CMAs are well-positioned with educational prerequisites and work experience to apply for RN educational programs in the future.
Read on to discover the differences, similarities, and overlaps between both fields with a side-by-side comparison chart.
What is a CMA vs RN: Similarities, Differences, and Overlap
One similarity between CMAs and RNs is that both work in the healthcare field and generally assist with patient care in various ways. For example, both a CMA and an RN may be responsible for preparing a patient for an examination, recording patient information, or administering medications as requested by the treating physician.
However, there are also substantial differences that set these two apart. For example, CMAs generally have the opportunity to work in either a clinical or administrative setting. A CMA may be preparing patients and administering medication in a clinical setting. A CMA may be creating the staff schedule in an administrative environment and calling patients to follow up with their appointments.
On the other hand, RNs do not work exclusively in an administrative capacity; instead, they generally have a more clinical role, including assisting the physician with patients.
Furthermore, licensing requirements and credentialing bodies are different for these two positions. CMAs may pursue licensing through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). At the same time, RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
The reference guide below distinguishes between these distinct yet related career paths to learn more about what it takes to become a CMA and RN.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Medical Assistants and Registered Nurses
| Registered Nurse | Certified Medical Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Number practicing in the United States | The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) reports that there were 3,282,010 RNs working in the U.S. | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024), there were 793,460 CMAs employed throughout the United States. |
| Pay | BLS (May 2024) reported that there were 3,282,010 registered nurses nationwide with an average annual salary of $98,430. In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all registered nurses in the country. Number of registered nurses employed: 3,282,010 Annual mean wage: $98,430 10th percentile: $66,030 25th percentile: $78,610 50th percentile: $93,600 75th percentile: $107,960 90th percentile: $135,320 | BLS (May 2024) reported that there were 793,460 medical assistants nationwide with an average annual salary of $44,720. In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all medical assistants in the country. Number of registered nurses employed: 793,460 Annual mean wage: $44,720 10th percentile: $35,020 25th percentile: $37,610 50th percentile: $44,200 75th percentile: $48,160 90th percentile: $57,830 |
| Expected national job growth, 2023-2033 (BLS 2024) | The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) projected a 6 percent increase in openings for registered nurses around the country between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than the average growth expected across all occupations during that period (4 percent). | The BLS (2024) predicted that demand for medical assistants will grow by 15 percent between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the expected growth across all occupations (4 percent). |
| Anticipated number of new positions created, 2023-2033 (BLS 2024) | The number of available registered nurse jobs nationwide is expected to grow by 197,200 between 2023 and 2033. | The number of available medical assisting jobs nationwide is expected to grow by 118,000 between 2023 and 2033. |
| Degree requirements | Aspiring RNs must possess a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree from a program approved by the licensing board in their state; this is generally a licensing prerequisite of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to become an RN. | To become a certified medical assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants, an individual must hold a degree from a medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). |
| Degrees available | An individual aspiring to work as an RN has three options: Complete a nursing diploma offered by a hospital, which may take up to three years. Obtain an associate degree (ADN), which may take two to three years. Obtain a bachelor’s degree (BSN), which generally takes four years. | An associate or bachelor’s degree in a program accredited by the CAAHEP or ABHES can lead to eligibility for certification. A master’s degree in medical assisting may also prove beneficial. |
| Program details | Nursing degree programs heavily focus on biology, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology; depending on the program, students may spend practical time in a hospital or non-hospital setting. | A medical assisting program may take one to two years and generally requires lab classes and clinical experience. |
| School accreditation | To take the NCLEX exam to become a licensed RN, one must complete a program approved by the state where they hope to work; before enrolling in a program, it is recommended to contact their state board of nursing for more information. The two most recognized accreditation entities for undergraduate nursing programs are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). | An aspiring medical assistant must obtain a degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). To be eligible for professional certification, the AAMA states that prospective certified medical assistants must possess a degree from a program accredited by a body recognized by the United States Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). |
| Five schools that offer in-person programs | The following five schools offer programs in nursing on campus: Shoreline Community College Chaffey College Berea College Seminole State College of Florida Front Range Community College | The following five schools offer programs in medical assisting on campus: Institute of Business and Medical Careers City College of San Francisco San Joaquin Valley College (also available online) Emily Griffith Technical College Portland Community College |
| Five schools that offer online programs | The following five schools offer undergraduate programs in nursing online: Kent State University University of Akron Purdue Global University of Phoenix Walden University | The following five schools offer programs in medical assisting online: College of Health Care Professions Rasmussen University Herzing University U.S. Career Institute Penn Foster |
| Certification | Some organizations exist that offer certifications in nursing, including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the National Certification Corporation (NCC). | The National Board of Medical Examiners administers the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination. |
| Licensing | To become an RN, candidates must pass the NCLEX to become licensed registered nurses. The RN credentials are awarded by the board of nursing in each state. | Licensing for CMAs varies based on the state; however, certification through AAMA is likely a prerequisite for licensure in all areas. Candidates who pass the exam earn the CMA AAMA credential. |
| Eligibility | To be eligible to take the NCLEX, candidates must first apply for Authorization to Test (ATT) through the nursing regulatory body (NRB). Approved candidates receive ATT notification via email and have a 90-day testing window to take the exam. | Graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES are eligible to take the CMA exam offered by the AAMA. There are three categories of eligibility pathways for recent graduates, non-recent graduates, and CMAs seeking recertification. |
| Testing | The NCLEX exam is computer-adaptive and must be completed in five hours. | The CMA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions in four 40-minute segments. |
| Recertification | Depending on the state, RNs may be required to complete a certain number of hours of continuing education (e.g., 30 hours of continuing education in California within two years) to retain their licensure. | CMA (AAMA) recertification is required every 60 months, and continuing education credits are a prerequisite for this process. |
| Specializations | RNs have the option to focus on several different specialties, including the following: Endocrinology Orthopedics Cardiac nursing Case management Critical care Dialysis Emergency and trauma Forensics Genetics | CMAs may specialize in administrative or clinical tasks or specific fields of medicine such as chiropractic medicine, obstetrics, podiatry, or others. |
| Practice framework | Because the work environment for registered nurses can vary, the practice framework will not always be the same. For example, RNs who work in a nursing home will generally work individually and perform required tasks for resident patients. A similar practice is likely for RNs who work in educational institutions. However, RNs who work in a hospital or doctor’s office typically work as part of a larger team, alongside other nurses, doctors, and additional healthcare personnel. | CMAs consistently work as part of a larger group; their primary responsibility is to help medical personnel and patients, either through the completion of clinical or administrative tasks. |
| Skills required for success | To succeed, RNs should possess the following characteristics: Compassion Attention to detail Communication and interpersonal skills Critical thinking abilities Organizational abilities Physical stamina Emotional stability | Certified medical assistants should have solid interpersonal skills, be very detail-oriented, and have a high degree of patience. Of course, CMAs must also have a comprehensive grasp of medical terminology, human anatomy, and related subjects. |
| Common practice settings | Registered nurses may find employment in various settings, from physicians’ offices to public or private hospitals and nursing homes. Of course, some registered nurses may even find work in schools, jails or prisons, military bases, or other locations. | The work environment of a CMA may vary throughout their career, although it will generally be in a hospital, clinic, or another healthcare facility. |
