The Medical Assistant Certificate program is designed to prepare you with clinical and administrative skills to provide outstanding patient care. The program is structured to provide appropriate academic preparation in pursuing national certification as a medical assistant. Prior to or upon graduation from the program, you may be eligible to take the following certifications examinations:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination given by the American Medical Technologists
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam given by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam given by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) examination given by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).
A choice of one of these national credentialing exams is included as part of your program and expected to be completed during MA295 Medical Assisting Externship and Evaluation.
You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.
Washington Students
The state of Washington requires all medical assistants to be certified or registered. Eligibility for certification requires graduation from a postsecondary school or college accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, which includes a minimum of 720 clock hours of training in medical assisting skills, including a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours.
In addition, graduates must successfully pass, within 5 years of submitting an initial application for certification, a certification examination issued by the AAMA, AMT, NHA, AMCA, or NCCT. Students who have completed all requirements except for passage of the examination may obtain interim certification, which will allow them to provide the Medical Assistant—Certified's full scope of practice. This interim certification expires when the graduate obtains the Medical Assistant—Certified credential or after 1 year and cannot be renewed.
For more information, please visit https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/MedicalAssistant.
Nebraska Medication Aide Registry for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants in the state of Nebraska are required to be credentialed as a medication aide in order to administer medications in Nebraska facilities. Applications and additional information are accessible through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Medication-Aide-Requirements.aspx.
North Dakota Medication Aide Registry for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants in North Dakota must obtain the Medication Assistant III registration in order to administer medications via subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intradermal routes.
Unlicensed assistive persons may obtain initial Medication Assistant III registration by submitting a Medication Assistant III initial application with the appropriate fee and completing a criminal history record check. Along with the application, you must submit the following:
Evidence of successful completion of a board-recognized medical assistant program and one of these four options:
- Certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants
- Certification from the National Health Career Association
- Certification from the National Center for Competency Testing or its successor organization awarding the certified medical credential
- Registration from the American Medical Technologists or its successor organization awarding the registered medical assistant credential
South Dakota Students
Medical assistants in South Dakota are under the joint regulatory control of the South Dakota Board of Medical Examiners and the South Dakota Board of Nursing. They must register with the South Dakota Board of Medical Examiners in order to practice.
Requirements for registration include:
- Proof of graduation from a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or one that holds other appropriate accreditation
- Proof of good moral character
- Proof the applicant has graduated from high school or passed a standard equivalency test
- Documentation showing the applicant is at least 18 years of age
- Proof of having passed a national certifying exam approved by the boards
For more information, please visit https://www.nursinglicensure.org/south-dakota-medical-assistant/.
