Last Updated on July 30, 2023
What will it cost you as a student to become certified in the medical assistant field? You may have a good idea of what this entails, but when you look at the whole picture, are you still up for the challenge? Create a plan and stick to it so that you can grow your knowledge and skills and find a job after graduation. Medical assistants serve 3 main roles within the medical industry: Administrative Assistants (48%), Clinical Assistants (44.3%), and Phlebotomists (8.7%). The median annual salary for medical assistants is $28,830 as of March 2013 .
Collegelearners will provide you with all the relevant information you are looking for on how much does it cost to become a certified medical assistant, how long does it take to become a medical assistant, How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant, cheapest medical assistant program, medical assistant programs near me, and so much more.
How Much Does Medical Assistant School Cost?
| $ Training School Runs $1,200-$4,200 | $ $ One Year Certification Can Run $2,500-$10,000 | $ $ $ An Associate Degree Runs $600-$5,400 In-State; $5,490-$10,800 Out of State |
Medical assistants work along with the doctors in hospitals and private practice.
Their duties vary by office; however, the general administrative work includes the update of the medical records and insurance forms, admitting, billing and bookkeeping, as well as scheduling appointments.
The clinical tasks usually include assisting in exams and explaining procedures, collecting and preparing lab specimens and changing dressings.
The on-the-job training is available at no cost; however, to become a certified medical assistant through a community college or a vocational school, one should attend a program accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Typical Costs
- The price for completing a course as a clinical medical assistant at a training school costs approx. $1,200-$4,200.
- The courses may vary from a few weeks to a year based on the school, the number of classes included and the length of the externship.
- For example, the Heart of Georgia Technical College provides a six-quarter diploma course for $4,250, which further includes books, fees, and supplies.
- Another example across the continent comes from Boston Reed in Northern California, which requires 134 hours of classroom study followed by a 160-hour externship for their diploma program that costs $1,595.
- For example, a one-year certificate program through a community college averages $2,500-$10,000.
- The students that want to earn an Associated Degree, the cost is approx. $600-$5,400 per year for residents or $5,490-$10,800 for out of state students for the two-year program.
- For example, Oakland Community College in Michigan provides a one-year certificate for about $2,500 for area residents, $4,250 for students from out of the district and $5,900 for out of state residents.
How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant
Certified medical assistants have a variety of job options. This guide answers questions about medical assistant requirements and why to consider certification.
Medical assistant certification offers a wide range of employment opportunities. In the following guide, we will cover how to become a medical assistant, the medical assistant requirements to perform administrative and clinical duties, and the typical skills required to carry out the job.
What Is a Certified Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants work alongside physicians and nurses, typically in outpatient or ambulatory care settings. This could include medical offices or clinics. A medical assistant program provides cross-training, so you can perform administrative and clinical duties. These could include:
- Putting patient data into a computer
- Updating patient medical records
- Scheduling appointments
- Arranging hospital admissions and lab tests
- Taking medical histories
- Preparing patients for an examination
- Explaining treatment procedures
- Phlebotomy (taking blood)
- Wound care
- Taking an electrocardiogram (EKG)
Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are in one of the nation’s fastest-growing careers. The job growth is attributed to the predicted increase in the number of practicing physicians, outpatient clinics, and a growing number of senior adults who need medical treatment.
You’ll find more information about medical assistant certification, salaries, the highest-paying states and metropolitan areas, and a list of resources within our medical assistant career overview.
Steps to Become a Certified Medical Assistant
You must meet specific medical assistant requirements for education and credentials to get a job. The minimum educational requirement before entering an accredited medical assistant program is a high school diploma or equivalent.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program and are certified, you will take an examination. This exam assures your future employer you have the knowledge and ability to perform the necessary duties. The program and certification requirements may vary depending on the state.
1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalentYour high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement. High school classes in math and science will help you succeed in your medical assistant certification.
2. Graduate from an accredited medical assistant programTo get a job as a medical assistant you must pass the CMA (AAMA) exam. To be eligible to take the exam, a student must graduate from a program accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).The program may be 9-12 months long, and many are offered at career centers or colleges. Some community colleges offer a two-year program at the end of which you have an associate degree.
3. Apply for medical assistant certificationAfter graduation from an accredited program, you must meet the eligibility requirements to take the CMA (AAMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Students must take the exam no more than 30 days before graduation and completing their practicum. The cost is $125.Nonrecent students or students who want to recertify need their official transcripts or their most recent certification number. The cost is $125 for AAMA members or $250 for nonmembers. You must be recertified every 60 months.
4. Pass the CMA (AAMA) examThe CMA (AAMA) exam is 200 multiple-choice questions given over four 40-minute test periods. The percentage of people who passed the test from July 2019 to July 2020 was 67%. You may consider taking a review course and practice exams to improve your potential success rate at passing the CMA exam.Jump to Medical Assistant Credentials
5. Find employmentMedical assistants are frequently employed in outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices. However, you may be interested to know that medical assistant requirements allow you to work in hospitals, colleges and universities, medical research centers, diagnostic laboratories, nursing homes, and even with insurance carriers.Jump to Working as a Certified Medical Assistant
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?
Most medical assistant certification programs take about nine to twelve months to complete through a vocational school or community college. Some community colleges offer 2-year programs in which the end result is an associates degree. The medical assistant program from MTI College can be completed in as little as 42 weeks. This consists of about 38 weeks of classroom training, and 160 hours of externship, completed in four weeks. No matter which program you choose, when training is complete, students receive a certificate or degree. Most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, though in most states, employers also have the option of offering on-the-job training.
The demand for medical assistants is growing rapidly, with a projected 18% increase in job demand from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you want to start your career in this quickly growing career path, read on for more details, or contact an admissions specialist at MTI College.
Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to MTI graduates and, by providing the above information, MTI makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.
The length of each accredited medical assistant program varies slightly, depending on whether the student is enrolled in a certificate or degree program. Here are some basic guidelines for how long most medical assistant training programs take to complete.
| Vocational School | Community College | |
| Program Length | 9 to 12 months | Length varies; about 2 years for associates degree |
| What Students Learn | Clinical, medical, and laboratory knowledge and practices | Clinical, medical, and lab knowledge and practices; general education |
| Credentials Earned | Certificate or Degree | Associate Degree |
| Extra Considerations | Programs are usually quicker, less expensive, and more focused | Credits usually transferable to four-year college; may help with undergraduate or graduate degrees or positions in specialized medicine |
