Use these resources to learn about and get started on a medical assisting career in West Virginia. The BLS’ census information shows 3,750 medical assistants employed in Washington earning annual salaries of $26,210 on average. The medical assisting career is estimated to expand 23 per cent from 2014 through 2024.
More CMA Info for West Virginia:
See Medical Assistant Certification by state
Medical Assistant Certification in West Virginia
The West Virginia Board of Medicine requires Medical Assistants to earn a state license. To be competitive as a medical assistant in West Virginia you will want to become nationally certified as many employers require certification.
The American Medical Association (AMA) accepts 2 certificates for medical assistants, the CMA or Certified Medical Assistant and the RMA or Registered Medical Assistant. Obtaining one of these certifications will drastically improve your occupation opportunities and salary.
The AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) is the association that produces the certificate granting official status of CMA. To obtain a RMA certificate, you need to complete the certification process offered by AMT (American Medical Technologists). Below are the requirements needed for both the CMA and RMA certifications.
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 |
AAMA Contact Info
West Virginia doesn’t have an independent society for medical assistants, so you can learn more through the American Association for Medical Assistants here.
Why Be a CMA in West Virginia?
Checkout West Virginia’s accredited medical assisting programs and salary data on the following pages:
- Research West Virginia’s MA Programs
- Compare medical assistant Salaries in West Virginia’s major cities
