2026 Exam Updates!

September 26, 2025
Four of AAH's online national exams will launch updates as of February 2026. Read to learn more about these updates!

• RMA, CPT, CET, and CPhT EXAM UPDATES GOING LIVE FEBRUARY 2026 •

 

National Certification Exam Updates

The healthcare industry continues to evolve, and American Allied Health (AAH) is committed to keeping our certifications aligned with the latest industry standards. To maintain exam relevance and rigor, AAH updates its national certification exams on a three-year rotating cycle. The AAH Board of Examiners carefully reviews each update to ensure alignment with current best practices.

As part of this cycle, the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) AAH, Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), EKG Technician (CET), and Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exams will be updated beginning on February 3, 2026. These revisions will ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to succeed as frontline members of the healthcare team.

 

Highlights: Key Competency Updates by Certification Exam

Medical Assistant Certification - Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) AAH

Clinical Practices

  • Assisting with height, weight, and head circumference measurements
  • Performing visual acuity testing
  • Assisting with sterile procedures

Law, Ethics, and Professionalism

  • Patient rights

Patient Identification, Communication, and Instruction

  • Providing home care instructions

Pharmacy Tech Certification - Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) 

Law, Ethics, Professionalism & Regulation

  • Boxed warning and pregnancy categories

Phlebotomy Certification - Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) 

Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease

  • Common medical terminology and prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations are now broken into two separate KSA categories
  • Terminology addition: Syncope

Law, Ethics, and Professionalism

  • Negligence

Safety Procedures

  • Safe lifting techniques
  • Fire extinguisher use
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Routine and Special Blood Collections

  • Fasting studies
  • Special considerations for older adults

EKG Certification - EKG Technician (CET) 

Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology

  • Systemic and pulmonary circulation
  • Cardiac conduction system
  • Respiratory rate, apnea, and dyspnea

Overview of EKG Analysis and Interpretation 

  • Descriptors of EKG findings
  • Competency weighting increased from 10% to 15%

EKG Technology and Terminology

  • Competency weighting decreased from 25% to 20%

 

Who Is Impacted?

What This Means for Testing Partners

Educators and training programs should review the updated KSAs to ensure that classroom and lab instruction prepare students for these new exam elements. Updated topical study guides and a comprehensive Premium Study Guide* will be available in the AAH Partner Dashboard ahead of spring testing.
* Premium Study Guide available on select exams

What This Means for Students Already Registered

If you are scheduled to take the RMA exam on or after February 3, 2026, you will be tested on the updated KSAs. Updated topical study guides and practice exams will be available immediately once launched. If you register after the updates are launched, you will immediately receive access to those tools, allowing you to study effectively.

 

Updated Study Resources

To help both teachers and students prepare, AAH has updated its study resources to reflect the new exam structure. 

Why Choose the Premium Study Guide?

The Premium Study Guide is crafted to:

  • Simplify complex concepts.
  • Align with AAH’s practice exam material.
  • Offer actionable insights to build confidence for test day.

Educators can access the updated guides through their Partner Dashboard, while students will find them in their AAH accounts once registered. Please refer to the resources in your account for the most up-to-date information.

 

Why Certification Matters

Earning your medical assistant certification, EKG certification, phlebotomy certification, or pharmacy tech certification is a proven pathway into healthcare, offering you employment versatility, job stability, and room for professional growth. 

 

Your Training, Our Certification - Empowering Healthcare Professionals for a Stronger Tomorrow.

 

AAH Online Exam Benefits

American Allied Health (AAH) offers a convenient and affordable path to earning your certification on your schedule, making it easier to fit into your busy life. Below are several benefits of certifying through AAH:

  • Affordable: AAH offers cost-effective certification, making it accessible and easier to start or advance your healthcare career. Enjoy free study materials, a free retake exam, and renewal fees that are 50% lower than industry standards.
  • Streamlined Process: Register, submit documents, and receive your certification in as little as one business day.
  • Comprehensive Preparation: AAH provides extensive topical study guides and practice tests to ensure readiness. When you register for your online exam, you gain access to these free study materials and practice exams to help you prepare for your exam so you can certify with confidence. With several certifications, you also have the option to purchase a Premium Study Guide for a small fee as a refresher if you need it!
  • 100% Online Testing: AAH's fully online program is designed for flexibility and ease. Study from anywhere, on your schedule. Convenient online exams that allow you to earn your certification onsite at your school, at your employer’s office, or from home, on your schedule. This allows you to certify when it's most convenient and not lose time from work or personal commitments. Earn the same credentials from the comfort of your own computer.
  • Computer & Tablet Friendly: Study anytime, anywhere, and take the exam whenever you're ready.
  • Nationally Recognized Credentials: Join over 50,000  certified professionals working in every U.S. state and more than 30 countries worldwide.
  • Instant results: Immediate proof of certification for employers. 
  • One Free Retake: If you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, don't worry. AAH offers one free retake to ensure you have the opportunity to earn your certification.
  • Continuing Education: AAH offers online CE courses, so you can earn your CE credits on your schedule and be ready to go when it comes time to renew. In your account, you can access all the Continuing Education (CE) credits you need to maintain your certification with AAH.
  • Easy Renewal: AAH makes renewing your certification easy. Complete your continuing education and pay the renewal fee all from within your AAH account.

Start Preparing Today

AAH is here to support educators, partners, and students every step of the way. Ensure your students are ready for the 2026 RMA Exam Update by accessing updated study resources, scheduling spring testing, and reinforcing the latest competencies in your classroom.

Educators: Log in to your Partner Dashboard for updated guides.
Students: Register now to access updated study materials. You can log in here.
Testing Partners: Contact us for additional support and Premium Study Guide access codes.

Your students’ success starts here! Empower them with the tools to pass their exams and step confidently into their healthcare careers. Ready to take the next step? Register for your exam today. Success is just a study session away!