Table of Contents
There are 35 medical assistant programs in California accredited by the CAAHEP and ABHES where you can begin your medical assistant certification.
Explore Medical Assistant Programs & Careers in California:
Medical Assistant Certification in California
The Medical Board of California regulates medical assisting in the state.
Though you can lawfully be employed as a Medical Assistant in California without certification, to be competitive in the marketplace most Medical Assistants are certified because many employers often require a certificate. Additionally, if trained on the job rather than in an accredited medical assistant program one must meet the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants requirements.
The American Medical Association – AMA accepts 2 certificates for medical assistants, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the RMA – Registered Medical Assistant. Possessing one of the certifications will considerably improve your job possibilities and compensation.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the organization that offers the certification granting CMA status. To complete a RMA certification, you need to complete the certificate steps offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT). The following chart displays the requisites to obtain a CMA or RMA certificate.
Certification Requirement | CMA | RMA |
|---|---|---|
| Meet 1 of the eligibility requirements. (CMA requires graduating a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program, RMA also offers eligibility from military education, work experience and instructing.) | View Eligibility Details | View Eligibility Details |
| Submit required supporting documentation for exam application process. | Documents | Documents |
| Apply for exam and pay application fee. | Application, $125 | Application, $120 |
| Schedule your exam date. | Schedule | Schedule |
| Complete your exam. (Upon completion, the CMA exam will show whether you pass/failed immediately and RMA exams taken online will provide your actual score immediately.) | Yes | Yes |
| Wait 8-10 weeks (CMA candidates will receive official test scores at this time and RMA candidates will receive their certification.) | Yes | Yes |
| Passing CMA applicants then wait another 10 weeks after receiving scores to receive their certification and card. | Yes | No |
| You have the ability to retest if you fail for both the CMA and RMA | Retest info | Retest info |
| Continuing Education, membership fees, and recertification are required for both the CMA and RMA | Recertify info | Recertify info |
CMAA Board Contact Info
The California Medical Assistants Association offers information and resources for medical assistants on their website here.
Medical Assistants Association
Susan Gouig, CCMA-AC
Why Be a Medical Assistant in California? ☀️
Imagine yourself in Sunny California relaxing with a nice cold beverage after work on Venice Beach, ah it sounds nice.
Well, a lot of other medical assistants think so too, a BLS report shows 82,830 medical assistants employed in California making it one of the largest states for medical assisting. Below are some benefits to medical assisting in California:
- High demand: California’s growing population and diverse healthcare landscape create a strong demand for skilled medical assistants, offering numerous job opportunities and career stability.
- Competitive compensation: Medical assistants in California enjoy competitive salaries, especially in metropolitan areas, enabling them to achieve a comfortable standard of living. Compensation for CMAs in California is very competitive with some of the highest CMA salaries in the US. Go and compare CMA Salaries in California.
- Career advancement: Working as a medical assistant in California allows individuals to gain valuable experience in the healthcare industry, providing a solid foundation for potential career progression into more specialized roles such as nursing or healthcare administration.
- Many Program Options: For those looking into medical assisting schools, there are plenty of medical assistant programs in California for you to consider.
