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Medical Assistant Training FAQ


Why should I go to an accredited school?

Only students who graduate from medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) are allowed to take the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) CMA Certification Exam.

Also, if you go to a school that isn’t accredited, you probably won’t be able to transfer these credits to an accredited school if you decide to continue your education.

How much does medical assistant training cost?

  • Certificate & Diploma Cost: The average cost of certificate training is between about $15,000 and $24,000.
  • Associate Degree Cost: The average cost of medical assisting associate degree programs is between about $34,000 and $53,000 for the 2-year program.

Do medical trade schools offer financial aid assistance?

Yes, there is financial aid available for medical assistant training to qualified students. Aid may include government loans and grants you can receive via the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students may also apply for medical and healthcare program scholarships.

What is a medical assistant program like?

There are generally two different types of medical assistant programs, certification training programs and associate degree programs. Certification training programs are normally between 20-30 credit hours long, and associate degree programs are usually about 57-65 credit hours long.

Courses you’ll encounter during your certification training program include but are not limited to:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Medical Law and Ethics
  • Body Function and Structure
  • Clinical Procedure
  • Pathology and Prevention
  • Administration and Safety
  • Pharmacology
  • Phlebotomy

If you’re going for your associate degree you’ll encounter more courses and some of them may include:

  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Math
  • Statistics
  • Microbiology

What are the requirements for medical assistant school?

Some requirements to enter a medical assisting program may include:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • CPR certification
  • Physical exam
  • Minimum GPA
  • Math/English placement tests
  • Minimum physical requirements

How long does medical assistant training take?

Certification training programs may take 10 month to a little over a year to complete and associate degree programs generally take 2 years to complete.

How much money do medical assistants make?

The average pay for medical assistants in 2023 was $43,350, with the top 10 percent making closer to $56,480 or more!

Where can I work as a medical assistant?

The top employers of medical assistants include offices of physicians, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and offices of chiropractors.

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