Prepare for a Career as a Medical Assistant

Build foundational knowledge in medical terminology, HIPAA regulations, and healthcare ethics; while learning the vital role a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) plays within a medical team. This clinical medical assistant certification course ensures you are fully prepared to handle a diverse array of responsibilities across both the front and back office by integrating MedVR computer-based simulations.

Simultaneously, you will gain the administrative expertise required to register patients, manage complex scheduling systems, and maintain the professional communication flow of a busy practice. During the HIPAA training module, you will learn about patient privacy requirements and the proper handling of sensitive health information. Through our collaboration with the American Medical Association (AMA), this online medical assistant program integrates the most up to date and comprehensive Blood Pressure (BP) Measurement Series training.

The medical terminology course component introduces key concepts of medical language and human anatomy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of body systems in health and disease. The curriculum covers topics such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and immune systems, along with mental health and special senses, with exams at the midterm and final stages.

If you have prior knowledge of Medical Terminology, you can optionally test out by achieving a minimum score of 80%, replacing the course content if desired. This test-out option only applies to the online Medical Terminology course, the standalone course, or advanced career training course bundles that include the Medical Terminology course.

You will be able to sit for the CCMA exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). A voucher covering the certification exam fee is also included with your enrollment.

Note: Please research your state's requirements by visiting your state's medical board site before enrolling to ensure this course is the right fit for you.

Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of the Medical Terminology test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized. The online medical assistant certification course includes the opportunity to become CPR certified, and you will also be able to earn a HIPAA training certification as well.

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Certified clinical medical assistants can earn a competitive salary while building a rewarding career in healthcare. According to Indeed, the average salary for a medical assistant in the U.S. is approximately $49,676 per year.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for medical assistants to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034—much faster than the average for all occupations. The field is expected to see about 112,300 job openings annually during that period.

What is a medical assistant? What does a medical assistant do?
According to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), medical assistants are critical members of the healthcare team and can be found in a variety of medical settings. As a medical assistant, you are often the first and last person a patient interacts with, making a lasting impact on the patient's experience. Medical assistants are flexible, performing a variety of both clinical and administrative tasks. Exact duties will vary by location, healthcare specialty, and practice size, but you will also likely complete clerical and administrative tasks within physician's offices, hospitals, and other healthcare
facilities. You will also need to understand how and what information can be shared and adhere to confidentiality laws, like HIPAA, in patient treatment. 

How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Although the exact amount of time can vary, it typically takes nine months to two years to become a medical assistant through most online medical assistant programs, depending upon the training curriculum and the time you have to commit. For example, this course allows you up to 12 months of access to complete the required training.

What is the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam?
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the largest allied health certification organization in the U.S., with over one million certifications awarded over more than 30 years. This exam serves to validate the skills of medical assistants and demonstrates their dedication to the profession. According to the 2020 Industry Outlook produced by the NHA, 89% of employers require or encourage certification for medical assistants, and 63% increase pay when certification is obtained. This course includes a voucher for the cost of the CCMA certification exam at no additional cost to you.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?
Yes. After successfully completing this clinical medical assistant course, you will be able to take the national Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The registration fee for the exam is included with this course. 

Develop the clinical and administrative competencies required to function as a vital member of the ambulatory healthcare team
• Understand ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, the importance of a first impression, respectful attributes when interacting with patients and coworkers, and maintaining a safe office environment
• Medical terminology, including how to identify the functions of the major body systems
• Learn the three methods used to perform venipuncture
• Summarize the HIPAA Privacy Rule and understand the importance of protecting the privacy of patient information
• Review government and private insurance and know the importance of medical and surgical asepsis
• Prepare to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

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There are no prerequisites to take these courses. In order to sit for the national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Certification exams offered by NHA are only available online to candidates located in the US.

Notice to Washington State Students - Certification & Education Requirements:
This Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) course meets the requirements for Pathway 1B for the Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) credential under Washington State law. To practice as a Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) in Washington, the state requires successful completion of a national certification exam (such as the NHA CCMA) and completion of Pathway 1B training requirements.

Pathway 1B Requirements:
Pathway 1B requires the training program to be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The program must include a minimum of 720 total training hours, of which at least 160 hours must be clinical experience.

State Requirements:
This program does not meet the educational requirements to apply for professional licensure or certification in the states of South Carolina, effective July 15th, 2026. Students intending to work in Washington state may be required to provide or request an official transcript from the school they are enrolled in to qualify for employment as a Medical Assistant – Certified. Each state's licensure or certification authority is responsible for establishing the requirements for professional licensure or certification in its state. Completing this program does not guarantee professional licensure or
certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing authority to confirm the requirements for licensure or a certificate in the state where they live, work, or intend to live or work.

Clinical Exerience Requirements:
The course also includes an opportunity to participate in a clinical experience. To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online course and ensure their account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that ed2go cannot guarantee placement at any clinical site, and students must take full responsibility for fulfilling their clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses. Please note that students in Washington state will be required to participate in a 180-hour clinical experience to qualify for employment as a Medical Assistant – Certified. 

Tammy Stanson
Tammy Stanson, RMA(AMT), CMA(AAMA), is a highly experienced and dedicated medical professional possessing over two decades of strong knowledge in medical assistant education, instruction, and practice. With her vast experience in clinical, administrative, and educational settings, Tammy began in 1996 as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and has spent her career in family medicine and urgent care. Throughout her career, Tammy has not only worked as a CMA but also as a medical assisting instructor, demonstrating her commitment to creating a supportive and team-driven environment for students while enabling them to achieve their educational goals. Tammy is passionate about excellent patient care and is committed to ensuring the next generations of medical assistants are prepared for the ever-changing healthcare industry. With expertise in educational methodology, teaching, and student success, Tammy is well-equipped to guide students through their Medical Assisting program and prepare them for successful careers.

Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics, and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

Hilary Khouri
Hilary Khouri has ten years of experience in the medical field. After college, she began her medical career working in the front office of a group practice handling daily administrative tasks. Her medical experience also includes working at a healthcare consulting firm, where she reviewed electronic health records for completeness and educated providers on documentation improvement in addition to performing risk adjustment coding. She holds a bachelor's in fashion merchandising from Indiana
University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) through the University of Alabama. 

Medical Terminology Instructors
Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.