Can You Get Your Medical Assistant Certificate Online?

Medical assistants perform clinical and clerical duties in healthcare settings. You can complete medical assistant training online in roughly 4-12 months.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant jobs are projected to grow by 15% from 2023-2033, much faster than the average growth for all jobs.

Learn about medical assistant certificates, including typical coursework, requirements, and career outlook data.

Medical assistants help ensure smooth operations at medical facilities. They often greet patients as they arrive, update their personal information, and take their vital signs.

These healthcare professionals perform certain clinical duties under the supervision of doctors and nurses. Medical assistants update medical records and schedule appointments before patients leave. The scope of their responsibilities depends on their professional training and where they work.

To enter this profession, you’ll need to earn at least a certificate in medical assisting. Medical assistants can become registered nurses (RNs) after meeting additional education and licensure requirements.

A medical assistant certificate program provides clerical and clinical training. Accredited programs prepare students for industry certifications such as certified medical assistant (CMA) or certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) credentials.

Classes vary by program but usually include anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology coursework. You’ll also cover topics related to administrative support, such as managing records and billing and coding. During an internship, participants often gain 100-200 hours of supervised practical experience.

The exact curriculum depends on the type of certificate program. For example, general and administrative medical assistant certificate programs emphasize clerical duties, while clinical medical assistant certificates focus more on patient care.

An online medical assistant certificate track typically features the same coursework as a traditional in-person program. However, online programs tend to provide more scheduling flexibility, with many offering asynchronous and independent learning modules. Some use a hybrid format that requires on-site clinical work. Many of these options allow you to choose a clinical site near you to reduce travel requirements.

Medical assistant certificate programs typically require at least a high school diploma or GED certificate for admission. Some programs may also have minimum GPA requirements and request a criminal background check.

Getting certified as a medical assistant offers several advantages. It can enhance your job prospects and make you more competitive, and some employers require certification. Plus, certification helps show your dedication to the profession.

There are two main certifications for this role: certified medical assistant and certified clinical medical assistant. After completing a medical assistant certificate online, you can qualify for CMA or CCMA certification.

For the CMA credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants, you must pass a 200-question exam within three hours. Tests are conducted in person at a partner testing center.

For the CCMA credential offered by the National Healthcare Association, you must pass a 150-question exam within a three-hour time limit. You can complete the exam at a testing center or through live remote proctoring.

With additional professional experience, you can pursue more advanced certifications.

The demand for medical assistants is strong. The BLS projects that medical assistant jobs will grow more than four times faster than the average job from 2023-2033. Additionally, although not mandatory for employment in most states, certification can improve your career outlook in many ways. The following section explores various benefits of earning these credentials.

Accredited medical assistant certificate programs lead to professional certification, which showcases your dedication to professional excellence. With professional experience, you can pursue more advanced certifications, such as the American Medical Technologists’ registered medical assistant credential.

You might also continue your education in healthcare and pursue a nursing degree or diploma, which your medical assistant credits could count toward.

Certification can make you more valuable to potential employers. According to the AAMA’s 2024 CMA Compensation and Benefits Report, CMA-certified medical assistants earned an average annual salary that was about 6% higher compared to non-certified medical assistants.

National certification from the AAMA, NHA, or AMT can also make it easier for medical assistants to work in other states. These credentials may also qualify you for positions in more diverse work environments. While some healthcare professionals are limited to working in hospitals, certified medical assistants may work in various settings, including:

Most states do not require certification, but employers may value certification as a validation of a medical assistant’s competency. Certified medical assistants may have access to more career opportunities, making it easier to find and switch jobs.

Certified medical assistants can perform many duties, including generalist, administrative, and clinical tasks. In some organizations and facilities, you may even have the chance to develop a specialty, such as cardiology, ophthalmology, or pediatrics.

Medical assistants can enter the field with a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Many accredited medical assistant certificate online programs are available across the country. However, finding the best one for your situation can be challenging due to the variety of certificate names and accreditation organizations.

Several associations offer directories that include accredited medical assistant certificate programs. Depending on the resource you look at, you can search for these programs and filter or sort by online or in-person delivery format.

Here are three such resources:

Additionally, the following list highlights some online medical assistant certificate programs that lead to certification: