Medical assistants are an important part of health care teams.
They act as liaisons between patients and doctors and other health care staff.
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties.
The actual tasks that they perform may vary, depending on things like their work setting or their employer.
Another thing that can affect the duties that medical assistants can do is the tasks that they are allowed to perform in the state where they work.
Some states require medical assistants to have a license, while others may require them to have certification.
Many states do not require medical assistants to have a license or a certification (but we highly recommend it).
You can get a medical assistant certification 100% online.
If you want to attend a local school, here you can find the top 10 schools with medical assistant programs in each state.
Some states may change their laws or regulations that govern medical assistants.
Future medical assistants need to know the requirements for the state where they want to work.
The licensure requirements may be different for medical assistants, compared to the state in which they live or where they get their medical assistant education and training.
This article explains the license requirements for medical assistants in every state.
It is accurate as of November 2025.
Employers may have other requirements for their medical assistants.
Check with employers before you apply for a job so that you know their education and license requirements.
States with No License or Certification Requirements for Medical Assistants
Many states do not require medical assistants to have a license.
The American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes two certifications for medical assistants.
Earning the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential may help medical assistants with their job search.
Alabama
The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission govern the licensure for all medical professionals who practice in the state.
The state does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Medical assistants in Alabama are allowed to perform most tasks that are delegated to them by doctors or other authorized healthcare professionals.
The duties include drawing blood and giving injections, such as vaccinations.
Alaska
The state of Alaska does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
The Alaska State Medical Board oversees the licensure of all medical professionals in the state who are required to have a license.
Medical assistants are not allowed to provide care to patients who are unstable or to patients who are critically ill.
Arizona
Arizona does not require medical assistants to have a certification or a license.
Arizona 32-1401 (16) describes a medical assistant as an unlicensed person who has completed an approved education program.
Medical assistants work under the supervision of a licensed doctor or another approved medical professional.
Arkansas
Medical assistants who work in Arkansas are not required to have a license.
They can give medications and injections if they are instructed to do so by a licensed medical provider.
Arkansas medical assistants may perform other clinical and administrative tasks under the supervision of licensed medical providers.
Colorado
The state of Colorado does not require medical assistants to have a license.
They also do not need to have a certification.
A bill was put forth in 2020 to require medical assistants to have certification.
It did not pass.
Connecticut
The state of Connecticut has no license or certification requirements for medical assistants.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health indicates that medical assistants are not allowed to administer medications to patients.
Florida
Medical assistants in Florida are not required to have a license.
They can administer medications, draw blood, and assist with patient exams.
They can perform other tasks, as directed by a physician.
Georgia
The state of Georgia does not require medical assistants to have a license.
They can draw blood and administer medications when a licensed physician is on the premises.
Hawaii
Hawaii does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
Medical assistants who work in the state can give injections and perform blood draws after the patient is assessed by a licensed healthcare provider.
Illinois
The state of Illinois does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Medical assistants are not allowed to administer medications to patients.
They are also not allowed to care for critically ill patients.
Iowa
Medical assistants who work in the state of Iowa are not required to have a license.
They can perform any tasks that are delegated to them so long as a registered nurse (RN) or a physician supervises them.
Kansas
Medical assistants in Kansas are not required to have a license or certification.
They can administer medications and injections to most patients.
Kentucky
The state of Kentucky does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
They can perform tasks that are delegated to them after patients receive an assessment from a healthcare provider.
Louisiana
Louisiana does not require medical assistants to have a license.
The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners explains that medical assistants may choose to earn a national certification.
The Board also explains that medical assistants who work in the state may perform any tasks or services that they have been trained to perform, so long as they do so under the supervision of a physician.
The physician must be in the same building where the medical assistant performs their duties.
They must also be immediately available when medical assistants perform the duties that are delegated by a physician.
Maine
The state of Maine does not require its medical assistants to have a license.
Healthcare providers assume responsibility for all the tasks that they delegate to medical assistants.
Maryland
Medical assistants who work in Maryland are not required to have a license.
They can independently perform various duties.
Some of those duties include preparing patients for exams, collecting and processing some specimens, and administering some tests.
Michigan
Medical assistants who work in Michigan are not required to have a license.
They can perform many tasks if a licensed healthcare provider has already assessed the patient.
The healthcare provider must also feel that the medical assistant has the knowledge and the skills to perform the delegated duties.
Minnesota
The state of Minnesota does not require medical assistants to have a license.
They can perform various duties that licensed providers feel they have the knowledge and skills to perform.
Mississippi
Medical assistants in Mississippi are not required to have a license or a certification.
They can perform tasks that are delegated to them by physicians or other licensed healthcare providers.
Missouri
Medical assistants who work in Missouri are not required to have a license or a certification.
They can perform duties that licensed healthcare providers feel are safe to delegate to medical assistants.
Nevada
Medical assistants who work in Nevada are not required to have a license.
They are not allowed to give patients any anesthetic agents.
New Hamshire
Medical assistants in New Hampshire do not need to have a license or certification.
They can perform duties that doctors or certain other healthcare providers delegate to them.
New Mexico
The state of New Mexico does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
New York
Medical assistants who work in New York are not required to have a license.
They can perform many tasks.
They are allowed to collect some specimens and administer certain diagnostic tests, but cannot interpret them.
North Carolina
North Carolina does not require medical assistants who work in the state to have a license or certification.
They can perform tasks that licensed healthcare providers delegate to them.
The healthcare provider can be held responsible for the delegated tasks.
Ohio
The state of Ohio does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
Licensed healthcare providers can delegate tasks to medical assistants.
Oklahoma
Medical assistants who work in Oklahoma are not required to have a license.
Oregon
Medical assistants are not required to have a license in Oklahoma.
Providers who delegate tasks to medical assistants are responsible for those tasks.
Pennsylvania
Medical assistants in Pennsylvania are not required to have a license or certification.
Texas
The state of Texas does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Utah
The state of Utah does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
Vermont
Medical assistants who work in the state of Vermont are not required to have a license.
Virginia
The state of Virginia does not require its medical assistants to have a license or certification.
Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Wyoming
The state of Wyoming does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Medical assistants are not required to have a certification.
States That Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
California
The state of California does not require medical assistants to have a license.
State regulations indicate that medical assistants are only permitted to perform non-invasive routine technical support services.
They may do so under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or other delegated medical professional.
Title 16, Section 1366.3 of the California Code of Regulations mandates that medical assistants must complete a medical assistant program that is authorized by the Department of Education.
The alternative to this is for medical assistants to complete a training program that is designed by a physician or other designated medical provider.
A Qualified Medical Assistant has a certification from an approved organization.
They are authorized to teach medical assistants.
Delaware
Delaware does not require medical assistants to have a license.
They can administer medication when they are delegated to do so by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, under certain circumstances.
The medical assistant must have completed a medical assistant training program.
They must have a current medical assistant certification that was issued by a recognized national body to administer medications.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts does not require medical assistants to have a license.
The state has laws that limit the scope of practice for medical assistants who do not meet the state’s requirements.
Primary care providers can only delegate medical assistants to administer immunizations if they are certified medical assistants.
These medical assistants must have completed an accredited post-secondary medical assistant education program.
They must also be employed in the clinical practice of a primary care provider under state law.
Montana
Medical assistants who work in Montana are not required to have a license.
The Montana Board of Medical Examiners regulates medical assistants.
Administrative Rule 24.156.401 says that healthcare providers may delegate clinical and administrative tasks to medical assistants who work in the provider’s office under the supervision of that provider.
Healthcare providers must know that the medical assistant has the knowledge, skill, education, and training to perform delegated tasks.
They must know that the medical assistant graduated from an accredited medical assistant program.
The Montana Code indicates that healthcare providers who delegate duties to medical assistants may be held responsible for any acts or omissions of acts by medical assistants performing delegated tasks.
Nebraska
Nebraska does not require medical assistants to have a license.
The state does require all medical assistants, no matter their education or certification status, to register as a Medication Aide.
Medical assistants register with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
The reason is that this is the only way that medical assistants are allowed to administer medications.
Medication aide registration requirements include that the person must have passed a 40-hour course.
They must also pass a competency assessment.
New Jersey
The state of New Jersey does not require medical assistants to have a license.
The state does mandate that only those who hold the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential can perform venipuncture and can administer certain injections under the authority of a licensed physician.
North Dakota
North Dakota only allows certain medical assistants to administer medications.
The State of North Dakota Board of Nursing indicates that medical assistants who hold current certification from a board-approved agency may hold an Unlicensed Assistant Person (UAP) registry.
Medication Assistant III professionals are medical assistants who are qualified to administer medications.
The state nursing board does not allow persons who completed an online-only education to qualify for the Medication Assistant III (MAP) registry.
Medical assistants must have completed medication assistant training through an in-person clinical component of their education program.
Rhode Island
Medical assistants in Rhode Island do not need a license to perform many tasks.
The state does require medical assistants to have certification to perform some duties.
The State of Rhode Island Department of Health explains that certified medical assistants may draw blood, take laboratory specimens, administer immunizations, and administer vaccines.
South Carolina
South Carolina does not require medical assistants to have a license to perform basic tasks.
The state does require medical assistants to have certification and to have completed an accredited education program to perform non-basic tasks.
They must meet the same requirements to administer some medications.
South Dakota
The state of South Dakota requires medical assistants to register with the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.
The state does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Registered nurses may only delegate duties to Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs).
They must also make sure that medical assistants have the competency to perform the delegated duties.
Tennessee
Tennessee does not require medical assistants to have a license to perform basic tasks.
Tennessee law indicates that only certified medical assistants (CMAs) can administer standard vaccines.
They must do so under the direction and supervision of a licensed provider.
Washington
The state of Washington has four categories of medical assistants.
Medical assistants in each category have different requirements.
RCW 18.360.020 says that no person is allowed to practice as a medical assistant–certified, a medical assistant–hemodialysis technician, a medical assistant–phlebotomist, or a medical assistant–EMT unless they are certified under the Washington statute requirements.
No one is allowed to practice as a medical assistant – registered in Washington, unless they are registered under the Washington statutes.
Medical assistants of each category must meet qualifications to work at those levels.
Certified medical assistants must first complete a medical assistant training program.
They must also complete the exam.
States with No License Requirement but Employer-Based Standards
Idaho
Some employers of certain facilities in Idaho require medical assistants to have a certification.
Other employers who do not require medical assistants to have a certification may prefer to hire those who are a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).
Indiana
Indiana does not require medical assistants to have a license or certification.
However, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development says that medical assistants are “critical members of healthcare teams” in various healthcare settings.
They offer details about the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential.
The certification must be renewed in two years.
The exam cost is $160.
The state indicates that this certification prepares CCMAs for various job opportunities.
West Virginia
The state of West Virginia does not require medical assistants to have a license.
Employers cannot allow medical assistants to take telephone orders from doctors.
Employers are not allowed to have medical assistants administer IV medications.
