How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

Becoming a medical assistant can take a year.

A medical assistant is a vital member of many doctors' offices. They not only handle waiting-room and front-office duties, but they also assist physicians and nurses with a variety of procedures, ranging from administrative to hands-on care with a patient. Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant requires approximately a year's commitment, but it can take longer if you plan to specialize in a particular duty.

Instructions

1. Find a medical assistant program that's accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

2. Enroll in and complete a medical assistant program.

3. Complete the externship requirement.

4. Pass the medical assistant certification test, which is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners three times a year, in June, October and January.

5. Pass the test to obtain your Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credentials.

6. Apply for medical assistant positions in your state.

Tips & Warnings

• Certification, training and requirements for practicing as a medical assistant may vary from state to state, so check on your state's requirements before beginning any training courses.

• Some people opt to specialize in a specific field, such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), opthamology (an ophthalmic assistant) and insurance (insurance billing). These specialty classes are typically offered at community colleges and can take one to two years to complete.

• The medical assistant certification test contains questions on a variety of areas and procedures, including pharmacology, first aid, medical law, accounting and laboratory procedures.

References

• American Association of Medical Assistants: How to Become a CMA