Medical assistants keep doctors’ offices running. In a single shift you might check a patient in, update their records, take their blood pressure and give an injection the physician has ordered. If you’re looking into how to become a medical assistant, the good news is that you don’t need a license in most states. The less obvious part is choosing between training programs and four different certifications, each with its own rules.
This guide covers the routes into the job, what a solid program looks like, how the CMA, RMA, CCMA and NCMA credentials compare, and the one state that credentials medical assistants itself.
Three ways into the job
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants typically enter the field with a postsecondary award, and programs take about one to two years. In practice, people get there in one of three ways:
- A certificate or diploma program at a community college or career school. This is the most common route and usually the fastest.
- An associate degree in medical assisting, which takes longer but adds general education credits you can later apply toward another degree.
- On-the-job training. Some employers still train assistants themselves. Several certifications have a work-experience route, so you can get certified later without going back to school.
What a good program includes
There’s no single national standard, but two benchmarks come up again and again. American Medical Technologists (AMT) requires programs on its education route to include at least 720 hours of instruction, with an externship of at least 160 hours. Washington State uses the same 720/160 figures for its top medical assistant credential. A program that meets that bar is unlikely to leave you short for any of the major exams.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) adds that a qualifying education should cover basic anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and the math used in medical settings, along with verified skill in giving injections and drawing blood.
One more thing to check: whether the program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) or ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools). Graduating from one of these programs is the standard way to qualify for the CMA (AAMA), which many employers recognize.
CMA vs. RMA vs. CCMA vs. NCMA
The BLS notes that employers may prefer or require certified medical assistants. Four national credentials dominate:
| Credential | Issued by | Main way to qualify | Fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMA (AAMA) | American Association of Medical Assistants | Graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program | $125 (members and recent graduates), $250 (nonmembers) | Every 60 months |
| RMA | American Medical Technologists | Accredited program of 720+ hours, or 3 years of work experience | $150 (includes first annual fee) | Annual fee |
| CCMA | National Healthcareer Association | Training program, or 1–2 years of supervised work | See NHA | Every 2 years, 10 CE credits |
| NCMA | National Center for Competency Testing | NCCT-authorized program, or 1 year of full-time work | $119 | See NCCT |
For reference, the CMA (AAMA) exam has 200 multiple-choice questions (180 scored) and gives you 160 minutes, split into four 40-minute segments. The full eligibility rules for each credential are below. Tap a credential to expand it.
CMA (AAMA): eligibility categories
- Completing students and recent graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting programs.
- Non-recent graduates of those accredited programs.
- CMAs recertifying by exam.
- Graduates of other qualifying postsecondary programs that meet AAMA’s requirements.
- Medical assisting educators with at least 1,000 hours of teaching experience.
RMA (AMT): eligibility routes
- Education: graduated in the past 4 years (or about to) from an accredited program with at least 720 hours, including a 160-hour externship.
- Competency and work-based learning: a hybrid program of 720 hours, or a structured course of at least 500 hours, each with a 160-hour externship, plus a competency evaluation.
- Work experience: at least 3 years as a medical assistant in the past 7 years, covering both clinical and administrative duties.
- Military and instructor routes are also available.
Source: American Medical Technologists.
CCMA (NHA): eligibility routes
- High school diploma or equivalent, plus a medical assistant training program completed in the last 5 years; or
- High school diploma or equivalent, plus 1 year of supervised medical assisting work in the last 3 years, or 2 years in the last 5.
Source: National Healthcareer Association.
NCMA (NCCT): eligibility routes
- Current students or graduates (within 5 years) of an NCCT-authorized medical assistant program.
- At least 1 year of full-time, verifiable medical assistant experience in the U.S. in the past 5 years.
- Military, foreign-education and instructor routes. All routes require a high school diploma or equivalent.
The exception: Washington State
Most states don’t license medical assistants, but Washington’s Department of Health issues five medical assistant credentials: MA-Certified, MA-Registered, MA-Phlebotomist, MA-Hemodialysis Technician and MA-Certified EMT. For the MA-Certified level, you need an accredited program of at least 720 hours with a 160-hour externship, plus a passing score on one of five approved national exams (from AAMA, AMT, NHA, NCCT or AMCA) within the past five years. If you’ve done everything except the exam, the state can issue an interim certification for up to a year.
Elsewhere, the rules on what medical assistants may do, such as giving injections, vary from state to state, so check your state’s rules if you plan to move.
Pay, demand and where you’ll work
Medical assistants earned a median of $45,690 in May 2025, according to the BLS, with the top 10% earning more than $59,310. It’s one of the faster-growing healthcare support jobs: employment is projected to rise 13% from 2025 to 2035, with about 109,700 openings a year, driven largely by an aging population.
Most medical assistants (56%) work in physicians’ offices, followed by hospitals (17%) and outpatient care centers (10%). Outpatient care centers pay the most of these, with a median of $48,560. Most work full time, and while office jobs tend to keep daytime hours, some facilities that are open around the clock need evening, weekend or holiday coverage.
Before you enroll
Ask every program three questions: Is it accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES? How many externship hours does it guarantee? Which certification exam does it prepare you for, and what share of graduates pass? The answers will tell you more than any brochure.
If you’re still comparing options, our side-by-side look at CNA vs. medical assistant covers pay, schedules and career paths, and our guide to becoming a phlebotomist explains a shorter route into patient care. Many medical assistants also draw blood, so the skills overlap. And if a dental office appeals to you more, here’s how to become a dental assistant.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Pay and job data: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Certification details: AAMA, AMT, NHA and NCCT. Requirements change, so confirm with the certifying organization before you apply.