Can You Get Your Medical Assistant Certificate Online?

Do you want to become a certified medical assistant, but you struggle to fit classes into your schedule? An online medical assistant certification program may be just what you need to complete your education.

Thanks to their broadly applicable skill set, medical assistants are in high demand in many healthcare settings. They are not limited to working in hospitals or performing the same tasks every day.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% job growth rate from 2021-31. Although the median annual salary of $37,190 may be below average, getting your medical assistant certification online lets you maintain an income while you study.

Learn about the benefits of becoming a certified medical assistant, potential job opportunities, and online medical assistant programs.

The Benefits of Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant

Although most states do not require medical assistant certification, many employers prefer hiring medical assistants who are certified. However, there are benefits to graduating from an online medical assistant certification program besides boosting your employability:

• Career advancement: Accredited medical assistant programs provide the necessary skills to continue your education in healthcare, such as transitioning from a medical assistant to a nurse. Certification also demonstrates your dedication to professional excellence. Certified individuals often enjoy more career advancement opportunities.
• Earning potential: In-person and online medical assistant certification programs increase your earning potential. Certification makes you more valuable to future employers and could help you get better starting pay as a medical assistant.
• Flexibility to work in any state: National certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) lets you work in any state.
• Diverse working environments: Some healthcare professionals are limited to working in hospitals. In contrast, certified medical assistants can work at:
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Chiropractic offices
  • Physician offices
  • Community clinics
  • Colleges and universities
  • Diagnostic laboratories
  • Nursing facilities
  • Insurance companies
• Job stability: Although working hours vary between jobs, many medical assistants enjoy predictable hours with an employer who needs your skills.
• Room for growth: Some certified medical assistants perform a variety of duties, but others do not. If you prefer to remain a generalist with skills in several areas, you may enjoy working in a small clinic. Working in a larger facility may let you focus on specific areas and develop a specialty.

Medical Assistant Certification Requirements

While medical assistant certification programs are available in person and online, the job's hands-on nature requires online students to complete in-person practicums in their local area. There are multiple steps to earning a medical assistant certification.

Complete an Accredited Medical Assistant Program

There are three types of medical assistant certifications. You must attend an accredited program to obtain a credential. Any online certification program you choose must meet certain standards.

While each certification examination holds advantages and disadvantages, the CMA certification is the most widely recognized for demonstrating dedication to excellence. AAMA accredited programs are available at colleges and career institutes. The AAMA maintains a searchable database of accredited schools by city and state.

Online learners' options are not limited to their geographical areas. Flexible online medical assistant certification programs are a good fit for motivated learners. To be eligible for AAMA certification, an institution must hold accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

According to the AAMA, accredited schools must offer a curriculum that includes:

• Human anatomy, physiology, and pathology
• Medical terminology
• Keyboarding and computer applications
• Record keeping and accounting
• Coding and insurance processing
• Laboratory techniques
• Clinical and diagnostic procedures
• Pharmacology
• Medication administration
• First aid
• Office practices
• Patient relations
• Medical law and ethics

Pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam

After completing an accredited program, you must pass the AAMA's CMA certification exam. There are three ways you may be eligible to take the exam:

• Category 1: Students who have graduated within the last 12 months from an accredited program; students who finished the program but did not complete the practicum due to the COVID-19 pandemic receive a temporary waiver until December 31, 2021
• Category 2: Students who apply for the exam more than 12 months after graduating
• Category 3: Students applying for recertification who have previously passed the exam at least once

The exam includes 180 multiple choice questions. Candidates receive 160 minutes in four 40-minute segments to complete the exam. Topics cover administrative, clinical, and general topics.

How To Find a Medical Assistant Program Online

According to the AAMA there are two online medical assistant certification programs with ABHES or CAAHEP accreditation:

Resources for Medical Assistants

• American Association of Medical Assistants

  The AAMA offers CMA certification, continuing education resources, medical news and blogs, and hosts an annual conference. Member benefits include practice rights protection, job listings, insurance, and networking and volunteer opportunities. Students can join at a significantly discounted rate and enjoy benefits like student groups and a career center.

• American Medical Technologists

  An association of allied health professionals, AMT offers medical assistant and other certifications. Member benefits include exam prep, a career center, volunteer opportunities, and networking through local chapters and online communities. Certification confers membership, which also includes access to AMT's annual meeting and industry publications.

• National Healthcareer Association

  NHA offers medical assistant certification, along with credentials in other areas, such as billing and coding specialist and electronic healthcare records specialist. NHA also advocates for frontline healthcare workers, hosts a job board and career blog, and publishes research, publications, and case studies. Membership is not required to access online resources.

Page last reviewed December 15, 2022