According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment projection growth rate for Medical Assistants is 18 percent, or 104,400 openings each year from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Meanwhile, In California, the expected growth rate of Medical Assistants is 24.5 percent between 2018 and 2028 according to the Employment Development Department.
Aspiring Medical Assistants are not required to have a formal educational degree but some schools and universities offer certificate and associate degree programs that can be completed in one to two years. Others can also become Medical Assistants provided that they are high school graduates and underwent an on the job training.
The Medical Board of California stated that a Medical Assistant can gain experience in one of two ways:
Per Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations section 1366.3(a)(1), training under a licensed physician or podiatrist, who shall ascertain the proficiency of the medical assistant; or under a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, physician assistant, or a qualified medical assistant acting under the direction of a licensed physician or podiatrist who shall be responsible for determining the content of the training and proficiency of the medical assistant except that training to administer medication by inhalation shall be provided by a licensed physician or respiratory care practitioner; or
Per Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations section 1366.3 (a)(2), in a secondary, postsecondary, or adult education program in a public school authorized by the Department of Education, in a community college program provided for in Part 48 of Division 7 of the Education Code, or a postsecondary institution accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education under Sections 94130 or 94311 of the Education Code. A licensed physician or podiatrist shall serve as advisor to the medical assistant training program. The instructor in a public school setting shall possess a valid teaching credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The instructor in a private postsecondary institution shall meet the requirements of Sections 94310 and 94311 of the Education Code and any regulations adopted pursuant to those sections.
Medical Assistants in California are allowed to practice without a certificate or license. Certification is optional but on the other hand, some employers may entail applicants to be certified by a national or private association as an employment requirement.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from American Medical Technologists
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) from the National Healthcareer Association
In California, the recognized state certifying body by the Medical Board of California (MBC) is the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) which administers the California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Here is the related information:
Eligibility Requirements:
Be at least 18 years of age
Provide proof of current CPR certification
Provide a copy of a US Government issued ID with your signature (driver's license, ID card, or passport)
Name on ID must match the application
Additional Requirements (must satisfy at least one):
Currently employed as a medical assistant by a licensed of a physician (MD/DO/DPM) in the United States or working as an administrative medical assistant in the United States.
Graduate of a medical assisting program in the United States within five years from a secondary, postsecondary, or adult education program in a public school authorized by the Department of Education or a graduate of a community college or a postsecondary institution within the last five years from by an accreditation agency recognized by the US Department of Education or approved by the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education.
Have had at least two years employment comparable to full time (4160 hours) as a practicing medical assistant in the United States within the last five years as a medical assistant.
Currently employed as a medical assisting instructor in an accredited institution in the United States.
Member of the US military with relevant training or either separated from the Military within the
last year or served in that capacity for at least two of the previous five years.
Recertification:
Must earn 60 CEUs during a five-year timeframe related to the Medical Assisting profession, including HIPAA and Cultural Competency training; whereas one contact hour is equal to one credit
Current proof of CPR certification
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last May 2021, that the median annual wage for Medical Assistants was $45,190, with a median hourly rate of $20.88. Also according to them, California is one of the top paying states for Medical Assistants.
In California, according to the Employment Development Department, the median annual wage in 2021 for Medical Assistants is $48,938, with a median hourly rate of $23.68.
Listed in the table below are the salaries for Medical Assistants in California by geography: