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4 minute read
You don’t need a high school diploma to start a career as a medical assistant. In fact, you can begin today by taking the right first step. With training and a plan to earn the education requirements along the way, you could be ready for certification and employment in about 11 months. Keep reading to learn exactly how to make it happen, even if you never finished high school.
What Is a Medical Assistant?
As a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), you are a healthcare professional who plays an important role in both the administrative and clinical sides of a doctor’s office or clinic. Your responsibilities can include maintaining patient records, obtaining medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients and examination rooms, scheduling appointments, and assisting with billing and other office operations.
Beyond administrative responsibilities, CMAs can also perform a variety of clinical tasks. With the appropriate training, certification, and supervision, you may be able to draw blood, perform certain laboratory tests, and administer medications or therapies. Depending on your training and state regulations, this can include administering oral and topical medications, as well as certain injections such as vaccines and allergy shots.
The scope of practice for medical assistants varies by state, so some procedures may require additional training or specific supervision. For example, starting IVs or administering IV-push medications is generally outside the typical scope of a medical assistant. Medical assistants may also assist providers with prescription-related tasks. While CMAs do not prescribe medications, they can help prepare prescription information, communicate refill requests, and relay medication-related information to patients under the direction and supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
A Certified Medical Assistant is a well-paid career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of about $21.25 per hour ($44,200 per year) for medical assistants as of May 2024, and this is expected to jump 12% from 2024 to 2034. That is much faster than average growth. With an estimated 112,300 new job openings each year, O*NET flags it as a Bright Outlook occupation.
What You Need to Be a Certified Medical Assistant
| Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | GED or high school diploma (for accredited programs) | ||
| Training | Completion of an accredited medical assistant program | ||
| Certification | Pass a national certification exam (CMA, CCMA, RMA, or NCMA) | ||
| Patient Privacy | HIPAA compliance (protecting patient health information) | ||
| Workplace Safety | Familiarity with OSHA workplace safety standards | ||
| State Rules | No license needed in most states, but some have requirements for clinical tasks (see FAQ) | ||
The Fastest Track (Without a Diploma)
It’s a lot easier than you think!
Step 1 — Get Your GED
Time — 6 Weeks
You don’t need a diploma, but every accredited medical assistant program needs to see your high school credential to enroll. So get your GED first.
As you know, the GED or HiSET is the nationally recognized equivalent of a diploma. If you enroll in the online classes and follow a good study plan, you can finish in 6 weeks or less. Since a high school credential is the single biggest barrier between you and a career in healthcare, look into getting your GED today.
Step 2 — Sign Up for an Accredited Medical Assistant Program
Time — 32 Weeks
Choose a program accredited by one of the two world bodies in medical accreditation, the CAAHEP or ABHES. Having an accredited program makes a big difference. It can determine whether you're eligible to sit for the top certification exams, whether you can get financial aid, and whether your credits will transfer if you later pursue nursing or a further qualification.
You can look up the accredited programs with the CAAHEP program finder or the ABHES directory.
Step 3 — Pass the Certification Exam
Time — About 4 Weeks
Get started by taking the American Association of Medical Assistants practice exam (AAMA) and the free practice tests. When you're ready, apply through your certifying body. The CMA exam is made up of 200 multiple-choice questions (180 scored, 20 unscored), broken down into four 40-minute segments. The exam is scored 200–800.
The exam costs $125 for AAMA members or $250 for non-members. Check out the application form here: CMA exam application PDF.
Take the First Step Toward Your Medical Assistant Career
You've seen the path — and it starts with one move you can make today. Instead of spending years finishing high school, get your high school credential the fast, affordable way and put that saved time straight into studying for your CMA. A GED is the required first step on your path to becoming a medical assistant — and it does more than open this one door. With a GED in hand, you qualify for many other good-paying careers, too.
Enroll in GED/HiSET Classes Now
Take the first step toward becoming a medical assistant.
Useful Resources for More Info
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r/MedicalAssistant — a community of more than 20,000 medical assistants
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American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) — Official CMA exam study resources
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National Healthcare Association (NHA) — CCMA resources
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O*NET: Medical Assistant — Job opportunities, job descriptions, and requirements
