How to become a certified medical assistant

The 5 steps

1. Check your state. Washington requires a state credential, Arizona sets training rules, California lets MAs work uncertified. Your state decides which exams count.
2. Get trained. A medical assistant program, usually a certificate or diploma, or the work experience route your chosen credential allows.
3. Pick one credential. Usually your school or employer decides. The comparison is below.
4. Apply and schedule. Each body has its own application, fee and testing vendor.
5. Pass the exam, then keep it current. Every credential has a renewal cycle.

Which certification to choose

Eligibility differs. The CMA (AAMA) is built around graduates of CAAHEP or ABHES accredited programs, with an alternative pathway. The CCMA and NCMA also accept work experience routes. Read each body's requirements before you pay.

State rules that change the answer

• Washington: to work as a Medical Assistant-Certified you need training from an accredited program, an accredited school with at least 720 clock hours plus a 160 hour externship, or a registered apprenticeship, and one of five recognized exams (CMA, RMA, CCMA, NCMA or AMCA). More in Washington MA certification.
• California: MAs work without certification, trained by a licensed physician or podiatrist or an approved school program.
• Arizona: an approved (CAAHEP or ABHES) program, or a non-approved program plus an exam from an NCCA- or ANSI-accredited certifier, or a physician-designed program.

Passing the exam

Every MA exam fails a real share of candidates: published pass rates go from about 63% to 81%. See how hard MA exams are for the comparison by pace and content.