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Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers in the U.S. and offers a competitive salary and great job outlook.
You can sometimes enter the field with no experience at all or, more commonly, after completing a short training program that prepares you to test for a national certification.
But is certification required to work as a medical assistant?
In most states, you do not need a certification to work as a medical assistant. But the rules about certification can be confusing because they vary by state and employer.
Only the state of Washington requires certification to work as a medical assistant. However, a few states (CT, ND, NJ, and SD) require them to hold a credential before they can perform certain clinical duties, like giving medications or injections.
In states where certification is not required, it may still be required by an employer.
Even when medical assistant certification is optional, it is strongly recommended. According to the NHA, 72% of employers require certification for medical assistants, and 71% offer higher pay to certified medical assistants. Getting certified makes it easier to get hired and may open the door to more career advancement opportunities.
This guide explains when and where medical assistant certification is required, and why it’s still a smart career move even when it’s optional. We’ll also go over the most popular certification options, how to pursue them, and other important related topics.
States Where Medical Assistant Certification Is Required
Medical assistant certification requirements vary by state.
Most states do not require certification simply to work as a medical assistant. In these states, medical assistants typically work under a “delegation model.” This means doctors or other licensed providers decide which tasks can be delegated based on a medical assistant’s training and skill level.
However, a few states regulate medical assistants more closely. In these cases, certification or additional training is required to perform specific clinical duties, such as administering medications or injections.
Here are the states that have credentialing rules in place:
Washington
Washington is the only state that requires a credential for medical assistants. The Washington State Department of Health accepts the following certifications:
- CMA from AAMA
- RMA from AMT
- CCMA from NHA
- NCMA from NCCT
- CMAC from AMCA
Once you have one of these, you can obtain a credential from the state that dictates your scope of practice as a medical assistant:
- Medical Assistant – Registered
- Medical Assistant – Certified
- Medical Assistant – Hemodialysis
- Medical Assistant – Phlebotomist
- Medical Assistant Certified – EMT
North Dakota
North Dakota does not license medical assistants, in general, but it regulates medication administration.
Medical assistants who administer medications must register as Medication Assistant III, a designation that requires additional training and national certification. Without this credential, medical assistants cannot legally administer medications.
Arizona
Arizona generally allows doctors to delegate tasks to medical assistants based on training and supervision. However, certain advanced or higher-risk procedures, like injections and phlebotomy, require specific training and competency verification.
That means the supervising physician must verify that the medical assistant has been trained and can perform the task safely. This is not a certification requirement, but it is a requirement related to special training.
New Jersey
New Jersey does not license medical assistants as a profession, but state regulations limit certain clinical duties.
Medical assistants who administer injections must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program that includes at least 330 hours of instruction and pass a national certification exam.
Why Getting Certified As a Medical Assistant is Helpful Even If It’s Not Required
Even if your state does not legally require it, becoming a certified medical assistant is a great career move, for a variety of reasons, including:
Makes you a more attractive job candidate
Certification can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Healthcare employers often receive many applications for entry-level roles, and having a credential can help you rise to the top of the stack.
According to the NHA’s Industry Outlook Report, 72% of employers prefer hiring credentialed applicants over candidates without certification.
Employers often view certification as proof that a candidate understands key healthcare topics such as patient safety, infection control, and clinical procedures.
To them, this means a new employee who is ready to start working right away with much less on-the-job training.
May earn you a higher salary
Certification may also help medical assistants earn higher wages. According to the same NHA report mentioned earlier, 71% of employers pay more to certified medical assistants.
Certified medical assistants may also qualify for specialized duties such as phlebotomy, EKG testing, or assisting with clinical tasks. These additional skills can increase earning potential over time.
Prepares you for the job
Certification programs are designed to prepare students for the responsibilities of medical assisting. Training typically includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice.
Program curricula cover topics such as anatomy, infection control, medical terminology, and patient care procedures. Students also practice tasks such as taking vital signs and preparing patients for exams.
This preparation helps new medical assistants feel more confident as they enter the workforce. Employers also benefit from hiring candidates who already understand clinical workflows and can jump right into the team.
May make you eligible for more advancement opportunities
Certification can also unlock advancement opportunities for medical assistants. Many employers promote certified medical assistants into leadership or specialized clinical roles.
Some medical assistants eventually continue their education to become nurses, healthcare administrators, or other healthcare professionals. Certification can demonstrate commitment to professional development and make those career transitions easier.
Having recognized credentials can also make it easier to move between healthcare employers or geographic regions. If you want to apply for a higher-level job but it’s in another state, a nationally recognized certification is ready to move with you.
May allow you to perform more clinical duties
In some states, certification allows medical assistants to perform additional clinical tasks. These tasks can include giving injections, assisting with procedures, or performing certain lab tests.
Healthcare providers must follow state regulations when delegating clinical responsibilities. Certification helps demonstrate that the medical assistant has the training needed to safely perform these duties.
For example, states such as Arizona and New Jersey regulate tasks like injections and medication administration. Employers often rely on certification as proof that a medical assistant is qualified to perform these procedures.
Medical Assistant Certification Options
Several organizations offer medical assistant certifications that demonstrate your training and skills. Each of these has unique eligibility requirements, so be sure to check those out before choosing one.
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Offered by the National Healthcareer Association, this certification focuses more on clinical patient care skills. It is one of the most common credentials for medical assistants working in outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices, and is what our Online Medical Assistant Certification Program prepares you for.
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). This credential is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. It covers both clinical and administrative duties and is often associated with accredited medical assisting programs.
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Offered by American Medical Technologists, the RMA certification evaluates both administrative and clinical knowledge. It is another widely recognized credential in the healthcare industry.
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA). This is a less popular medical assistant certification offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA). This certification is offered by the National Association for Health Professionals. The NRCMA credential evaluates knowledge of both clinical procedures and administrative responsibilities performed by medical assistants.
How to Get Certified as a Medical Assistant
Becoming certified usually involves completing a training program and passing a certification exam. Here are the details on the steps to certification.
Step 1: Earn your high school diploma/GED
First, you must graduate from high school or earn your GED. This is a basic requirement for all medical assistant certifications.
Step 2: Complete a training program (sometimes optional)
If you are already working as a medical assistant, you may be eligible to take a certification exam through your work experience. Check the certification criteria to make sure you can document your work experience in the required way.
If you aren’t already a medical assistant, you will need to complete a training program. Training programs are not only required but can also make a big difference when preparing for certification.
For example, Stepful’s Online Medical Assistant Program prepares students for the CCMA exam and only takes 5 months to complete. Stepful’s students participate in live, instructor-led classes and practice clinical procedures using an at-home clinical kit.
Stepful students may also complete an externship that typically includes 80 to 160 hours of real clinical experience. This opportunity allows students to work in a healthcare setting and apply the skills they learned during training.
Like Stepful, most training programs prepare students for a specific certification, so knowing which certification you want may influence which program you choose.
Step 3: Apply to take the certification exam
Once you are eligible, you can register for the exam online with the credentialing organization and pay the exam fee. Most are under $200, and some training programs include the fee in their tuition costs.
The registration website should provide all the details on location, procedures, exam format, and the minimum score required to obtain the certification.
Step 4: Study for and take your exam
It is essential to have a study plan in place. Most credentialing organizations and training programs provide materials to help you prepare for the exam, such as exam content outlines, practice tests, and study guides.
This is one area where training programs really help because they have been preparing you for the certification exam all along. You also have access to instructors experienced with the test and to peers you can form study groups with for support and encouragement.
These exams usually include several hundred multiple-choice questions covering clinical procedures and healthcare knowledge. They may be given in person or online, with specific procedures you must follow. Most take a few hours to complete.
Step 5: Wait for the results
Depending on how you take the exam, you may receive a preliminary test report after you finish. Most of the time, you will be able to view your results online within a few days of taking the exam.
If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you may be able to retake it after waiting a certain amount of time. Each credentialing organization has its own system for retaking exams, and those should be outlined in their exam information.
Step 6: Get your certification
Once you pass the exam, you will receive your certification. The organization that issues it will have rules about how long it lasts and how you can keep it active.
Some require annual recertification, while others are valid for up to 5 years. Usually, recertification requires continuing education credits and a fee.
With your certification in hand, you are ready to apply for a new job or get that promotion.
Medical Assistant Certification FAQs
Do I need a certification to work as a medical assistant?
In most states, certification is not legally required to work as a medical assistant. However, some states regulate certain clinical tasks, and many employers prefer to hire certified candidates.
Do I need a degree to work as a medical assistant?
Medical assistants typically only need a high school diploma or GED and, depending on the state and hiring organization, a certification. While they exist, medical assistant degrees are almost never required.
What disqualifies you from being a medical assistant?
Employers may require background checks, drug screenings, and proof of immunizations. Certain criminal offenses or failure to meet workplace safety requirements may be disqualifying. Requirements vary by employer.
Do employers hire non-certified medical assistants?
Yes. Some healthcare employers provide on-the-job training for new medical assistants without certification. However, certified candidates often have a competitive advantage.
How old do you have to be to become a medical assistant?
Many training programs require students to be at least 18 years old. Some high school career programs allow students to begin training earlier, but graduating from high school is a must.
Does a medical assistant bachelor’s degree exist?
Bachelor’s degrees specifically for medical assisting are uncommon. Most people enter the field through certificate or associate degree programs.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
How long it takes to become a medical assistant depends on the path you take to get there. Community college-based programs can take two years, but many medical assistant training programs can be completed in several months. After finishing training and passing a certification exam, graduates can begin applying for jobs.
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