[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many medical assistant certificate programs can be completed online in 4-12 months.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CMA or CCMA credentials can enhance job opportunities and increase salary potential.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistant jobs are in demand, with a faster-than-average projected growth rate over the next decade.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants perform clinical and clerical duties in healthcare settings. You can complete medical assistant training online in roughly 4-12 months.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant jobs are projected to grow by 12% from 2024-2034, significantly faster than the 3% average growth for all jobs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn about medical assistant certificates, including typical coursework, requirements, and career outlook data.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Healthcare Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Medical Assistant?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Medical Assistant Certificates: Educational Overview[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A medical assistant certificate program provides clerical and clinical training. Accredited programs prepare students for industry certifications such as [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aama-ntl.org/certification/eligibility” target=”_blank”]certified medical assistant[/hen-ui-link] (CMA) or certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) credentials.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Medical Assistant Certificate Requirements[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For the CMA credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants, you must pass a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aama-ntl.org/docs/default-source/about-profession-and-credential/cma-exam/exam-content-outline-effective.pdf?sfvrsn=fda088ec_1″ target=”_blank”]200-question exam[/hen-ui-link] within three hours. Tests are conducted in person at a partner testing center.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With additional professional experience, you can pursue more advanced certifications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Certified Medical Assistant Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for medical assistants is strong. The BLS projects that medical assistant jobs will grow four times faster than the average job from 2024-2034. Additionally, although not mandatory for employment in most states, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/reasons-to-get-certified-in-medical-assisting/”]certification can improve your career outlook[/hen-ui-link] in many ways. The following section explores various benefits of earning these credentials.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Advancement[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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’ [hen-ui-link href=”https://americanmedtech.org/medical-assistant” target=”_blank”]registered medical assistant[/hen-ui-link] credential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You might also continue your education in healthcare and pursue a nursing degree or diploma, which your medical assistant credits could count toward.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Earning Potential[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certification can make you more valuable to potential employers. According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aama-ntl.org/docs/default-source/about/2024-c-b-report-web.pdf?sfvrsn=488d6fc8_3″ target=”_blank”]AAMA’s 2024 CMA Compensation and Benefits Report[/hen-ui-link], CMA-certified medical assistants earned an average annual salary that was about 6% higher compared to non-certified medical assistants.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Flexibility to Work in Any State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Outpatient clinics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Chiropractic offices[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Physician and other medical offices[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Community clinics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges and universities[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Diagnostic laboratories[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing facilities[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Insurance companies[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Job Stability[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Room For Growth[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Find a Medical Assistant Program Online[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Here are three such resources:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://portal.abhes.org/directory/” target=”_blank”]Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools'[/hen-ui-link] online directory allows you to search for online certificate programs that it has accredited.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chea.org/search-programs-results-table” target=”_blank”]program database[/hen-ui-link] provides filters for medical assisting programs recognized by various accrediting organizations.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs’ [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program” target=”_blank”]online directory[/hen-ui-link] lets you search for CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Additionally, the following list highlights some online medical assistant certificate programs that lead to certification:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/online-medical-assistant-school” target=”_blank”]U.S. Career Institute’s online medical assistant certificate program[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://online.odu.edu/continuing-education/programs/healthcare/certified-medical-assistant” target=”_blank”]Old Dominion University’s certified medical assistant program[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://uh.edu/online/professional-development/professional-training/career/training-programs/certified-clinical-medical-assistant-ccma—-ges180/” target=”_blank”]University of Houston’s online clinical medical assistant training program[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://an.edu/programs/skill-credentials-and-certificates-diplomas/medical-assisting-certificate/” target=”_blank”]American National University’s medical assisting certificate program[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Medical Assistants[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aama-ntl.org/” target=”_blank”]American Association of Medical Assistants[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The AAMA offers CMA certification, continuing education resources, medical news, blog articles, and an annual conference. Member benefits include practice rights protection and access to job listings, insurance, and networking opportunities. Students can join at a significantly discounted rate.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://americanmedtech.org/” target=”_blank”]American Medical Technologists[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This association of allied health professionals offers medical assistant certifications and professional development resources. Member benefits include exam prep, a career center, volunteer opportunities, and networking through local chapters and online communities. Certification grants membership, including access to AMT’s annual meeting and industry publications.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]National Healthcareer Association[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NHA offers medical assistant certification and credentials in other areas, such as billing and coding and electronic healthcare records. 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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://arma-cert.org/” target=”_blank”]American Registry of Medical Assistants[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ARMA is a national registry of medical assistants. Member benefits include inclusion in the registry as a registered medical assistant, as well as access to continuing education units and job listings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]National Association for Health Professionals[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NAHP is a credentialing organization for healthcare professionals in various specialties, such as EKG technician and coding specialist. The organization also administers the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant credential. Additionally, NAHP provides access to resources such as exam prep and continuing education units.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can I get my medical assistant (MA) certificate online?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can earn an MA certificate online from several institutions. However, most online programs feature some in-person requirements, such as a practicum at a healthcare facility. Your school may allow you to choose a site within a reasonable commute from your location.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the fastest medical assistant program?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While most accelerated medical assistant certificate programs take roughly 4-12 months to complete, some schools offer shorter options. The University of West Florida, for example, has a three-month [hen-ui-link href=”https://uwf.edu/continuinged/programs/career-training/medical-administrative-assistant/” target=”_blank”]medical administrative assistant training program[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can you take a medical assistant exam online?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although distance learners can usually complete program exams remotely while earning their medical assistant certificate online, many medical assistant certification exams must be taken in person. However, NHA’s CCMA test can be completed online through exam proctoring software, which helps ensure the integrity of the test.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is a medical assistant certificate worth it?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A medical assistant certificate offers one of the fastest, most accessible, and most affordable pathways into the healthcare field. If you’re aiming for a medical assistant career or looking to break into the healthcare field, a medical assistant certificate may offer an attractive pathway.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]