Medical Assistant Program FAQs

Question 1

How do clinical hours (Externships) work?

Accepted Answer

After completing the 5-month online portion of the program and passing your national certification exam, you’ll move into your clinical externship, where you’ll complete 80–160 in-person hours at a local healthcare facility.

Stepful provides access to our Externship Booking Platform, which allows you to secure interview opportunities with sites near you. Externships typically begin within 1–3 months of earning your certification and are scheduled during weekday business hours. You can complete your externship on a full-time or part-time schedule, depending on what works best for you, as long as you’re available during those hours. Placement is subject to site availability.

With a network of over 8,000 clinical partners nationwide and hundreds more added each month, Stepful helps connect you to real-world opportunities. This hands-on experience is a vital part of the program, giving you the chance to apply classroom learning, build confidence with patients, and form connections that can lead to full-time employment.

Question 2

Do you help graduates find a job?

Accepted Answer

At Stepful, our mission is to break down barriers to healthcare careers and help every student move into a meaningful role after graduation. To support that mission, we offer a structured Job Coaching Program that guides graduates into full-time healthcare roles after completing their clinical hours.

Students begin with an 8-week Job Readiness Cohort that combines weekly live coaching, job search strategy, resume building, interview practice, and workplace success skills. Graduates also receive weekly job leads, and their resumes are shared with Stepful’s healthcare employer partners. For those who need additional support, Stepful provides up to 2 more months of on-demand 1:1 coaching, including mock interviews, resume reviews, and targeted job leads.

With this approach, about 60% of graduates secure jobs within 2 months and over 80% within 4 months of starting the job coaching program.

Question 3

Are clinical hours (Externships) guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No — externships are not guaranteed. But Stepful is committed to helping every student gain real-world, hands-on experience and ultimately land a full-time job in healthcare. Our externship booking platform and support team are here to connect you with opportunities and guide you through the process.

Some things that can help speed up your externship placement:
• Staying responsive and in good communication with your coach
• Completing all eligibility requirements (like paperwork, background checks, or health forms) on time

Some things that can delay externship placement:
• Limited site availability, especially in rural areas
• Missing deadlines or being unresponsive to your coach
• Missing scheduled interviews or acting unprofessionally with a clinic partner

By staying engaged and professional, you’ll put yourself in the best position to secure an externship quickly and smoothly. What Stepful is doing is unheard of in healthcare education — we place hundreds of students in externships and jobs every single week. It’s proof of how deeply we believe in our students and how far we’ll go to make sure you graduate confident, supported, and job-ready.

Question 4

Which Medical Assistant certification exam am I eligible to take after completing this program?

Accepted Answer

Stepful’s Medical Assistant program prepares you for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Our curriculum is aligned with NHA standards, ensuring that graduates are eligible to sit for this nationally recognized credential — one that many clinics, hospitals, and healthcare employers look for when hiring medical assistants.

The CCMA exam includes 180 multiple-choice questions and carries a fee of $160. The exam fee is not included in tuition, but students who register through Stepful may be eligible for a rebate on the exam fee, lowering the cost. You may take your NHA exam online or in-person.

We’re proud to say Stepful students score about 10 points above the national average on the CCMA exam — a reflection of the quality instruction, curriculum, and support we provide every student.

Question 5

Does the NHA CCMA certification count for college credit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The NHA CCMA exam is approved by the American Council on Education (ACE), and it is recommended for 5 semester hours of lower-division credit (associate or bachelor’s level) when accepted by a college or university.

Once you pass the exam, you’ll receive an ACE transcript via Credly that documents the credit. Keep in mind: each school decides whether to accept the credit and how many credits will apply toward your degree.

Question 6

How much does the Clinical Kit cost?

Accepted Answer

The Clinical Kit is included in your tuition at no extra cost. There’s nothing additional you need to pay for the kit.

Question 7

How do I get my Clinical Kit?

Accepted Answer

You’ll receive instructions in your online classroom partway through the program on how to order your Clinical Kit. Once you place your order, it will be shipped directly to your home, and you’ll receive tracking information so you know when to expect delivery.

Question 8

Does the Clinical Kit contain real medical equipment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The kit contains real, medical-grade supplies so you can safely practice clinical skills at home. Items include:

• Syringes and needles (for practice only)
• Vacutainer tubes and holders
• Tourniquet
• Alcohol prep pads and bandages
• Blood pressure cuff and stethoscope
• Thermometer
• Gloves and sharps container
• Other materials used for injections, venipuncture, and vital signs

Your instructor will guide you step by step on how to use this equipment safely, and you’ll complete graded assignments to demonstrate competency with each skill before moving forward.

Question 9

Is Stepful's Medical Assistant program accredited?

Accepted Answer

Stepful’s Medical Assistant program is not institutionally accredited like a college or university. Instead, our program is designed to prepare students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, which is issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) — an accredited certification agency recognized by employers nationwide.

This means that when you complete the program, you are eligible to sit for the CCMA exam — a credential that many clinics, hospitals, and healthcare employers recognize when hiring medical assistants. We only accept students in regions where this credential is valid and widely recognized by employers.

To confirm your eligibility, complete our free online application — it only takes a few minutes and will let you know right away if we serve your area.

Question 10

Is Stepful legit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stepful is a trusted education provider with a proven track record of preparing students for healthcare careers. More than 8,000 clinical partners nationwide host our students for externships, and over 30,000 students are actively enrolled today.

Stepful was also recently recognized by TIME Magazine as the #1 edtech company in the United States, a reflection of the quality and impact of our programs.

Question 11

What is included in Stepful’s Medical Assistant program tuition?

Accepted Answer

The Medical Assistant program includes access to your online classroom, weekly live classes with an instructor, an at-home Clinical Kit, and NHA CCMA mock exams.

You’ll also get access to Stepful’s Externship Booking Platform to secure 80–160 in-person clinical hours after graduation. A background check and drug screen are included with tuition. For externships, up-to-date vaccinations are generally required; the specific list and any additional onboarding requirements are set by each individual clinical site.

In addition, the program includes an 8-week Job Coaching Program to help you land a full-time job. No textbooks are required — all learning materials are available in your online classroom.

Question 12

Is the program online or in-person? How long is the program?

Accepted Answer

Stepful’s Medical Assistant program is 100% online for 5 months (20 weeks) of live classes and coursework.

After completing the online portion of the program and earning your national NHA CCMA certification, you’ll gain access to our clinical externship booking platform to secure interview opportunities for in-person clinical hours (80–160 hours) at a local healthcare facility. Externships typically begin within 1–3 months after certification.

Question 13

How does Stepful's Medical Assistant program compare to community college or trade school programs?

Accepted Answer

Community colleges and trade schools often take 1–2 years to complete, while Stepful’s Medical Assistant program can be finished in just 4 months online, followed by externship hours. Our mission is to make healthcare careers more accessible by offering training that is faster, more affordable, and focused on real outcomes.

You’ll learn in live online classes, practice hands-on skills with your Clinical Kit, and receive personalized career coaching to help you prepare for certification and your job search. Instead of spending years and thousands more in tuition, Stepful is designed to help you graduate job-ready and start building your healthcare career sooner.

Question 14

How do online classes work at Stepful?

Accepted Answer

Classes meet live on Zoom twice a week for 90 minutes each. Between sessions, you’ll complete daily assignments, quizzes, and projects in the online classroom. Coursework is unlocked one week at a time so you can stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll also practice at home with your Clinical Kit and build confidence through patient soft skill simulations. Group projects and interactive activities keep learning engaging and help you apply skills in real-world scenarios. As you progress, you’ll take mock exams and focused prep sessions to prepare for the NHA CCMA exam.

All materials are included online — no textbooks required. The program is built to give you the structure, practice, and support you need to feel confident, earn your certification, and graduate job-ready for a full-time healthcare role.

Question 15

What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Stepful offers a 3-day money-back guarantee on all tuition and fees for students who withdraw within 3 days of signing up.

After classes begin, students may withdraw within the first two weeks and receive a full refund of tuition. Enrollment fees are non-refundable after the 3-day guarantee period.

Please note that there may be additional flexibility depending on your state’s refund regulations.

Question 16

What are the requirements to enroll?

Accepted Answer

To enroll in any Stepful program, you must meet the following requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• 18 years or older
• Valid government-issued ID
• Authorization to work in the United States

Our Medical Assistant program does not currently operate in all states and zip codes. We only accept students in locations where we can confidently support their externship placement and job search after graduation. These restrictions are in place to make sure every student has a strong opportunity to transition into a full-time healthcare role.

The best way to confirm your eligibility for the Medical Assistant program is to complete our free online application. It only takes a few minutes and will let you know right away if we serve your area.

Question 17

What tuition payment options are available?

Accepted Answer

Tuition can be paid upfront or through biweekly installments using Stepful’s flexible payment plans. We’re committed to keeping our programs as affordable as possible, which is why we offer generous grants for new applicants that significantly reduce tuition costs. Visit our Affordability page to explore the different ways to lower tuition — including grants, payment plans, and other funding options.

Question 18

How much does Stepful's Medical Assistant program cost?

Accepted Answer

The full tuition for Stepful’s Medical Assistant program is $3,999. However, most students qualify for Stepful’s generous grants, which lower the cost to $2,399 or less.

Your exact tuition depends on your individual eligibility. The best way to find out your cost is to complete our free online application — it only takes a few minutes and will show you your personalized tuition right away.

All required learning materials, including your Clinical Kit, are included at no extra cost. Flexible payment plans are also available to make tuition more manageable. You can also visit our Affordability page to learn more about grants, discounts, and other ways to lower tuition.

Medical Assistant Plus: Get Clinical & Administrative Training

Stepful graduates were hired at

Join 30,000+ students building healthcare careers with Stepful

How our Medical Assistant Plus program works

7 month of online classes

In-person clinicals

Land a full-time job

Earn two Medical Assistant certifications with one program

Issuing authority

What you’ll learn

Weeks 1-5

Weeks 6-10

Weeks 11-17

Weeks 18-23

Weeks 23-26

Weeks 27-30

Job-ready with Stepful

$44,000
Median Annual Salary

78%
Certification pass rate

80-160
In-person clinical hours

80%
Job placement rate

Medical Assistant training program FAQs