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Request Info
(800) 814.5124
  • Programs
    • Allied Health
      • Dental Assisting
      • Massage Therapy
      • Medical Assisting
      • Medical Coding Specialist
      • Medical Coding Specialist Hybrid
      • Phlebotomy
      • Basic Nursing Assistant
    • Mechanical Trades
      • HVAC/R Technician
      • Welding
      • Welding & Pipefitting
    • Truck Driving
      • Professional Truck Driving
      • CDL Training Course
    • Cosmetology
    • Continuing Education
      • Black Hawk College Partnership
  • Campuses
    • MTI East Peoria, IL
    • MTI Moline, IL
    • MTI Springfield, IL
    • MTI Springfield, MO
  • Admissions
    • High School
      • Welding Competition
    • For Military Students
    • Financial Aid
      • Financing Options
      • Tuition and Cost
      • Net Price Calculator
      • Student Loan Management
      • 1098-T
    • Scholarships
      • MTI DTC High School Scholarship
      • Terms and Conditions
    • Catalog
  • Student Services
    • Student Portal
    • Transcript Request
    • Student Accounts
    • Elearning
      • E-Learning MS Teams
      • E-Learning Canvas
      • E-Learning MS Pearson
    • MTI Apparel
    • Student Resources
      • Housing
      • Externships
      • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
      • Student Complaint Procedures
      • Campus Safety
  • About
    • Why MTI?
    • Blog
      • Resources
      • News & Events
    • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF Institutional
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF CRRSAA
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — American Rescue Plan
      • HEERF Student Grants – Quarterly Reports
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How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

Obtaining medical assistant certification typically requires several steps, like completing an accredited medical assistant training program, gaining any required work experience and passing a certification exam. So, how long does this process usually take?

Medical Assistant Job Description and Requirements

How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

While career paths can vary, many people take 3 steps to become a medical assistant.

Medical Assistant Career Path

StepsDescriptionDetailsDuration
Step 1GED or High School DiplomaCareer-Relevant Courses: Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computers & Business3 Months to 4 Years
Step 2Post-Secondary Medical Assistant TrainingTraining & Instruction in Clinical Procedures & Clericals Tasks9 Months to 2 Years
Step 3Medical Assistant CertificationStudying for & Taking ExamLess than 1 Year for AAMA Certified Medical Assistant

How Long Is a Medical Assistant Program?

 Vocational SchoolCommunity College
Program Length 9 to 12 MonthsVaries; typically 2 years for an associate’s degree
What’s Learned Clinical & Medical Knowledge & PracticesClinical & Medical Knowledge & Practices Plus General Education
CredentialDiploma or CertificateAssociate Degree
ConsiderationsQuicker Program Length, More Focused Program & Typically Less ExpensiveCollege Credits May Be Transferrable to a University & May Help with Positions in Specialty Medicine

How to Get Medical Assistant Certification

Below are the steps necessary to obtain Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Path to Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant

StepsDescriptionDetails
Step 1Confirm You Meet Eligibility RequirementsComplete a Medical Assisting Program Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Take the Exam within 30 Days of Finishing the Program or 12 Months after Graduating
Step 2Obtain Necessary DocumentationThose Applying 12 Months After Graduating Need Their Official Medical Assistant Program Transcripts
Step 3Review Information & Policies for the ExamSee Candidate Application and Handbook for the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination
Step 4Choose a Start Date for 90-Day Testing PeriodOnline & Mailed Paper Application Timelines Vary Testing Period Starts Between 1-2 Months after Application Is Received
Step 5Monitor Your EmailKeep a Valid Email Address for 1 Year after Applying for Exam & Monitor Regularly for Notifications
Step 6Apply for ExamApply Online or Via Mail & Submit Fee: $125 for Current Students. Recent Graduates $125 for AAMA Members or $250 for Nonmembers
Step 7Maintain Correct Profile InformationUpdate Name, Postal Address & Email on a Timely Basis
Step 8Schedule ExamMake an Appointment ASAP for the Exam after Receiving Your ‘Appointment Scheduling Permit’
Step 9Prepare for the ExamUse the AAMA Exam Content Outline, CMA Practice Exam, Textbooks, and Review Courses to Prepare for the Exam
Step 10Complete the ExamYou’ll Receive a Pass/Fail Notification at the Test Center after Taking the Exam.
Step 11Watch for Your Official Exam ScoresOfficial Exam Scores Should Arrive within 3 Weeks of Taking the Test
Step 12Watch for Your CertificateYour CMA Certificate Should Arrive about 3 Weeks after Your Official Exam Scores. The Certification Is Valid for 60 Months.

Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) schedules students of its 9-month medical assistant program for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) National Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification Exam before graduation. MTI offers medical assistant training at its campuses in:

  • Springfield, Illinois
  • Moline, Illinois
  • East Peoria, Illinois
  • Springfield, Missouri

Starting a Career as a Medical Assistant

SOURCES

http://www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/application-steps#.Wqg10JPwZYc

http://www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/application-steps/eligibility

http://www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-exam/study#.WqhDU5PwZYc

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm

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