Usually, Californians are conscious about their health and are more interested in utilizing the healthcare facilities on offer. At present, the growth in the field of medical assisting is immense, which allows you to earn well while doing a noble job.
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The length and cost of MA programs in CA entirely depend on the program (certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree) and school (technical school or community college) you choose.
The certificate and diploma programs can be completed within 8 to 18 months and may cost you between $2,170 and $41,830. On the other hand, associate’s degree completes in 2 years and costs between $7,960 and $67,570.
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A degree or certificate in Medical Assisting can put you on the right way if you are looking to excel in the healthcare field in CA. Being an MA, you will be entrusted with the responsibilities to carry out various patient care duties, like checking medical history, primary checkups, and other regular works of the hospital or medical establishment.
Below is the list of 20 best medical assistant schools in CA, ranked based on several factors, ranging from cost and programs on offer to student-teacher ratio and much more. Find the one that fits your goals and seek further information before enrolling.
The college offers a Certificate of Achievement in Medical Evaluation Assistant, Medical Clinic Assistant, Medical Biller, Medical Receptionist, and Medical Assisting. Students can also choose to pursue an Associate’s of Science degree in Medical Administrative Assisting or Medical Assisting. Competence in English, ESL (English as a Second Language), and Math is required to enroll in any of the medical assisting programs. Upon successful completion of the training, students can perform various clinical and administrative duties.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | San Francisco, CA |
The Medical Assisting certificate program prepares students for an essential role in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. After completing 2 years program, you will get a Certificate of Achievement. You can also enroll in a 4-year Associate Degree program. The major courses covered are – Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Patient Care, Applied Pharmacology, etc. Both programs make you eligible to take the national Certified Medical Assistant certification examination.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Costa Mesa, CA |
The MA program imparts training in clinical and administrative spheres along with a 150-hour externship. It focuses on laboratory procedures, medical office procedures, public relations, electrocardiography, etc. Broadly, three types of programs are offered by the college – Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program, Administrative Medical Assistant Certificate Program, and the Comprehensive Medical Assistant Certificate Program. Students can sit for the CCBMA exam after completion of the program.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Mission Viejo, CA |
Pasadena City College offers the following 3 MA programs:
Each program provides specialized training for students and prepares them for different roles in medical settings. Upon successful completion of any of the above programs with grade C or better, students will get a Certificate of Achievement, which they can use to earn an Associate of Science degree.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Pasadena, CA |
The MA program offered by this college is aimed at preparing entry-level medical assistants who can meet the challenging requirements of the healthcare industry and apply their knowledge and skills in compliance with the established medical standards and regulations. The program includes hands-on training and externship. Students can use the credits earned in the program for pursuing an associate degree. After completing the program, you can take the CCBMA (California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants) exam. The major highlight of the medical assistant program is that the students can work in any state without obtaining a license.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Santa Rosa, CA / Petaluma, CA |
The medical assistant course requires students to fulfill specific requirements before enrollment such as they must have an active CPR certification, proof of Hepatitis B vaccination, a valid immunization record, a background check, and a drug screen. Aspirants are also supposed to complete ‘Basic Skills for Healthcare Careers’ course with a minimum grade of “C” or higher before enrolling in medical assisting program. Upon completion of Medical Assisting core courses, the college will award the Certificate of Achievement. Students who complete both general education and core course in the field will receive an Associate in Science Degree.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | San Diego, CA |
The program at Cosumnes River College requires aspirants to complete courses in College Writing, Medical Language for Health Care Providers, Introduction to Medical Assisting, Computer Familiarization, and College Writing with grade C or better. The program gives a strong emphasis on effective learning, psychomotor, and cognitive domains. You will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement after graduation.
Number of Courses | Medical Assisting- A.S. Degree, Certificate, Administrative Certificate, Medical Insurance Billing Certificate |
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Campus | Sacramento, CA / Elk Grove, CA |
The college offers three semester Accelerated Medical Assisting Program each in Fall and Spring. The program is nationally-accredited and provides a strong foundation for the entry-level medical assistant career. The coursework covers topics around Healthcare Communication, Medical Law and Ethics, MA Essentials, Medical Terminology, and Clinical Skills. Upon completion of the program, the college awards a Medical Assisting Certificate of Achievement. The school also provides financial aid and scholarships to the deserving students.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Aptos, CA |
The college offers one semester (18-week) Medical Assisting certificate program in the Fall and Spring semesters of each year. The 14 credits program comprises 2.0 credits Medical Assisting Basics and 12.0 credits Medical Assisting Fast Track. The coursework includes lectures, lab practice, and clinical externship. After completing this program, students can sit for the CCBMA (California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants) examination organized by the CMAA (California Medical Assistants Association). The Medical Board of California recognizes the CCBMA certification.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | San Luis Obispo, CA / Paso Robles, CA / Arroyo Grande, CA |
The college has been providing education for more than 70 years. The MA program offered by the college prepares students for the challenges of today’s job market. After completion of the training, students will be able to take vital signs, record electrocardiograms, apply dressings and bandages, administer injections, manage phone calls, and assume many other duties and responsibilities in various healthcare settings.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Downey, CA |
The college offers a 1-year certificate program in Medical Assisting and 2-year Associate’s Degree. The program is aimed at building a better future with quality education. Apart from tutoring, the program includes fieldwork, clinical rotations, and externships focused on real-work experiences. Eligible students can avail of financial aid – scholarships, grants, and student loans. Upon completing graduation, students will be able to work collaboratively, apply critical thinking, and perform different administrative and clinical tasks.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Citrus Heights, CA / Pleasant Hill, CA / Sacramento, CA / San Jose, CA / San Leandro, CA / Stockton, CA |
The college provides the Clinical Medical Assistant with a Phlebotomy program lead by an experienced team of instructors. The program focuses on instilling knowledge about Electrocardiography, latest Venipuncture techniques, general body systems, etc. in the clinical laboratory environment. The college also offers externship. After completion of the externship, students can obtain the State of California Licensure and work as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician in clinics, laboratories, medical offices, doctors’ offices, hospitals, etc.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Vacaville, CA |
The Medical Assisting Diploma program provides requisite skills and hand-on training to enable students to deliver their best in this field. The program is intended to develop competencies in problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, human relations, etc. and prepare students for employment in different healthcare environments such as hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. After graduation, students can take up the American Medical Technologists certification examination or the American Association of Medical Assistants certification examination.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Santa Ana, CA |
The college has been providing a Medical Assisting program from the past 20 years. In addition to preparing you for Venipuncture Certification CPR training, EKG Certification, and National Medical Assisting Certification, the school also offers you externship, financial aid and job placement assistance. Students can complete the accelerated training in just nine months. Based on your skill set, you can work in various specialty areas – fertility, pulmonary, cardiac clinics, etc.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Lancaster, CA / Oxnard, CA / Moreno Valley, CA |
The MA training program equally focuses on developing job readiness and personal development of students so that they can deliver the best patient care services. Different topics covered in the coursework include business communication skills, office procedures, computer applications, back office and front office duties, etc. To provide practical hands-on experience, the college makes arrangements for externships. After the successful completion of the training program, students can entry-level job in emergency care offices, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other medical offices.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | West Hills, CA |
The Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting program and Clinical Medical Assisting program equip you with the required skills to work in a challenging environment of the healthcare industry. The program can be completed in 9 months. CPR and HIPAA certifications are included in the program course. After graduation, the college awards you Certificate of Completion and you become eligible to sit for the NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant) examination. You can earn an Associate’s degree in as few as 15 months on completing graduation from this college.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Lancaster, CA / Bakersfield, CA / Fresno, CA / Salida, CA / Ontario, CA / Temecula, CA / Hesperia, CA / Visalia, CA |
The college offers an MA program in all its 16 campuses. The diploma can be earned in 8 months. The program provides you insights into the practical aspects along with immersing you in theoretical knowledge. You learn to perform CPR and first aid, infection control, taking vital signs and patient histories, assisting physicians with treatments and examinations, etc. The eligible students can get a scholarship and financial support.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Garden Grove, CA / North Hollywood, CA / San Bernardino, CA / San Diego, CA |
Cambridge Junior College offers a 9-month MA course focused on developing clinical and administrative skills. The externship provides you an opportunity to get hands-on training in real medical settings. Depending on your convenience, you can choose a day or evening schedule to pursue the program. Upon completion of the training, you can work as a Medical Records Specialist, Administrative Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant or other entry-level medical positions.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Yuba City, CA |
With a complete focus on students’ success, the American Career College has designed the Medical Assisting program in line with the expectations of today’s employers. The coursework imparts skills in both clinical and administrative procedures. After completion of the program, students will be able to take and record vital signs, prepare patients for examinations, maintain patient records, schedule patient appointments, and assuming many other responsibilities.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Anaheim, CA / Los Angeles, CA / Ontario, CA |
The 8-month Medical Assisting certificate program provided by this college is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Students can use the transferable credits obtained after completion of the program to pursue an Associate of Science degree in the field. The cost of the program is approximately $2800 which includes enrollment fees, practicum, uniform, books, etc. Competency in reading, writing, and math is a must to complete this program successfully.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Modesto, CA |
With so many programs in California, finding the right one nearby you is quite challenging.
MAs in California do not require any certification or licensure. However, they are expected to complete a formal training administered in any of the following two ways:
Medical assistants in California can earn certification as a “qualified medical assistant” by fulfilling specific qualifications and clearing an exam administered by a certifying organization.
One can become a “qualified medical assistant” by following any of the below-given ways:
Medical assistants need training in the following areas:
Areas of Training | Training Requirements |
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Administering inhaled medication | 10 hours of training |
Venipuncture | 10 hours of training in which candidates must demonstrate at least 10 skin punctures and 10 venipuncture. |
Administering injections and skin tests | 10 hours of training in which candidates must demonstrate at least 10 skin tests and 10 injections. |
The following certifications are available to the medical assistants in California:
Established in 1981, CSMA in the California state-level affiliate of the national organization – AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants). The AAMA chartered society in 1982. CSMA strives to protect the right to practice of medical assistants and promoting effective health care delivery.
This board administers the California Certified Medical Assistant examination and looks forward to continually improving the certification exam in accordance with the changing requirements of the healthcare industry and encouraging career development through recertification and CE (Continuing Education). It is accredited by the Medical Board of California.
The Medical Board of California is aimed at making quality medical care accessible and protecting the health care consumers through its regulatory and licensing procedures. The board provides licenses and certifications to surgeons, physicians, and other medical professionals.
Written by : Casey Gardner
Casey Gardner is both a healthcare support professional and an accomplished content creator. She has been working as a certified health care professional with marketable skills as a physician assistant, and a qualified medical assistant for last two decades. She has dedicated her nursing career to produce over hundreds of content pieces since 2001, and her work has been published both online as well as offline.
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