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Gunsmith repairs butt of a shotgun in a weapons workshop

Gunsmith License Requirements by State

Gunsmithing requires uniting technical mastery, precision machining, engineering insight, and legal responsibility. Gunsmiths craft conversions and changes to a firearm…

Electrician

Electrician vs. Plumber: What’s the Best Trade Career?

Well, I will say plumbers and electricians have more in common than you might think. Both of them are respected…

Home Inspector (ASHI) Certification Practice Test

Home Inspector (ASHI) Certification Practice Test

This practice test is designed to help you prepare for the ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) Certification Exam. It…

Appliance technician working on a front load washing machine in a laundry room

How Much Does it Cost to Become an Appliance Repair Technician?

The appliance repair technician career is great for the individual who aspires to make the environment clean, safe, and comfortable…

Surgeons Operating Patient In Hospital

9 Best Online Surgical Technician Programs (Complete Guide)

The medical industry continues to grow, and the demand for the role of surgical technicians is expanding with the industry’s…

How to Become a Dog Trainer

How to Become a Dog Trainer – In 5 Easy Steps

You are fond of dogs, you like spending time with them, playing all day long, and you believe that becoming…

6 Top Alternative Careers for Sterile Processing Technicians

Although the healthcare industry continues to expand and evolve, some professionals want to advance in their careers or leave the…

Welding Certification Practice Test

Welding Certification Practice Test

Welders have many certification options depending on their career choice and specialization. The basic certification is Certified Welder (CW) offered…

Floral Designer Certification Practice Test

Floral Designer Certification Practice Test

If you dream of being a floral designer, you know that becoming a certified floral designer is a great way…

Medical Biller and Coder

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Medical Biller and Coder?

The healthcare industry has experienced significant changes over the last few years. This, coupled with a rise in our aging…

Medical assistants are valuable members of a medical team. Their duties vary based on their employer, skills, and the state they work in. Generally, they may take vital signs, collect and prepare lab samples, schedule appointments, and get patient's histories. To become a medical assistant, you'll want to start with medical assistant training. Then, you can get your certification and begin looking for employment. Steps to Become a Medical Assistant It's important to understand that most states don't have formal licensing requirements for medical assistants. However, education and certification will help you find a job quickly. It also ensures that you know how to do your job correctly. 1. Meet the Necessary Prerequisites Your journey starts with a high school diploma or equivalent. Most states require you to have a diploma, and you won't be able to get medical assistant training without one. You'll also need to be at least 18 years old, and have a felony free background. You may need to take a drug test as well. Most schools will require you to be up to date on vaccinations, and you may need negative Hepatitis B and tuberculosis tests as well. Even if your school doesn't require these things, your employer probably will. 2. Get Medical Assistant Training You can complete a medical assistant training program in less than one year. Some schools offer an associate's degree, which takes about 2 years to complete. Which program is right for you will depend on your current and future goals. A certificate or diploma program allows you to enter the workforce quickly. However, if you plan to continue your education after becoming a medical assistant, an associate's degree may be the better choice. Most programs will include clinical experience as well as classroom instruction. This allows you to gain experience working as a medical assistant with supervision. 3. Get Your Certification There are seven different medical assistant certifications. Some are designed to be taken as soon as you complete a medical assistant training program, and others require you to have a few years of work experience. Most medical assistant programs will prepare you for one specific certification. This means that your training program is designed to teach you everything you need to know to get that certification. You may choose to get other certifications as well, but you may have a tougher time passing the exam. Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant Most states don't require you to be licensed or have a certification to be a medical assistant. Idaho, Washington, Connecticut, and New Jersey do require you to be certified before working in their state. Even if your state doesn't require certification, it's difficult to find a job without being certified. 74% of medical assistants have some type of certification, so it can be considered the industry standard. In addition to standard certifications, you can choose to become certified in a specialty area, including chiropractics, geriatric, or orthopedics. American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) The AAMA offers a Certified Medical Assistant, or CMA, certification. To qualify, you'll need to be a graduate of a medical assistant training program recognized by the AMMA. The test has 200 multiple choice questions and is given in 4 segments of 40 minutes. You will need to pay a fee of $125, or $150, depending on your AAMA membership. American Medical Certification Association The American Medical Certification Association offers two entry level medical assistant certifications. The standard certification is the Medical Assistant Certification, or MAC. This certification includes aspect of clinical care and administrative duties. The exam has 100 multiple choice questions, and you'll have two hours to complete it. You can qualify for the exam by graduating from a medical assistant program, or having at least 5 years of clinical experience as a medical assistant. The exam costs $119, and includes study materials. The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC), focuses solely on the clinical side of medical assisting. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) The National Healthcareer Association, or NHA, also offers two entry level medical assistant certifications. To qualify for the test, you'll need to complete a medical assistant training program, or have several years of on the job experience. The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, or CMA, certification focuses on the clinical side of medical assisting. This exam costs $155. The Medical Administrative Assistant, or CMAA, focuses on administrative medical assisting. This exam costs $117. You can also choose to purchase study materials for either exam on the NHA website. Online Training Programs for Medical Assistants Medical assistant programs can vary from a few months for a certificate to a few years for an associates degree. Most online programs allow you to complete the work in your own time. U.S. Career Institute U.S. Career Institute offers a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program. This program focuses on the clinical duties of medical assisting. The program is self paced, and typically takes 4-7 months. There's a total of 27 lessons and 27 quizzes. You can expect to spend 500 hours completing the program. The curriculum is broken down into four sections. These are Introduction ot the World of Medical Assisting, Fundamental Medical Assisting Skills 1 and 2, and Clinical Skills and Practicum. Once you've completed the program, you are eligible to take the CCMA exam from the National Healthcareer Association, or NHA. Penn Foster Penn Foster offers a career diploma in Medical Assisting. During the program, you'll learn Medical Billing and Health Insurance, Pathology and Pharmacology, Body Systems and Medical Terminology, and Clinical Procedures Theory. The course also includes an externship, which allows you to gain real world training before you graduate. The program can be completed in 9-15 months, and is self-paced. Completing the program will prepare you to take one of several certifications, including the American Medical Technologists (AMT) Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification, The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and, The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA). The College of Healthcare Professionals The College of Healthcare Professionals, or CHCP, offers a Medical Assistant Certificate program. The program can be completed in 48 weeks or less. During the program, you'll learn both the clinical and administrative aspects of medical assisting. Specific skills you will learn include EKGs, injections, phlebotomy, vital sign recording, medical law and ethics, and insurance, billing, and managing medical records. You'll also complete a 150 hour externship as part of the program. Once you've completed the program, you are prepared to take the National Association of Healthcare Professionals The Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) exam. The cost of this exam is included in your tuition. Phlebotomy Career Training Phlebotomy Career Training offers a CCMA Medical Assistant Course. The program can be completed in 6 weeks, but you'll have 6 months to finish the program, so you can work at your own pace. Once you've completed the program, you can take a certification exam through the AMCA, NCCT, and NHA. The cost of the exam is included in your tuitiion. Medical Assistant Salary According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants earn a median wage of $38,270. This means that half of all medical assistants make less than this, and half earn more. 10% of medical assistants earn less than $30,390, while the top 10% earn more than $51,710.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in 3 Easy Steps + Top Programs

Medical assistants are valuable members of a medical team. Their duties vary based on their employer, skills, and the state…

Phlebotomy Technician

10 Pros and Cons of Being a Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy Technicians are the unsung heroes of the medical profession. They work behind the scenes with doctors, nurses, and medical…

Dental Assistant

How to Become a Dental Assistant – In 3 Steps

Dental assistants have a vital role in providing patient care, assisting dentists, and performing administrative duties. Many dental assistants perform…

A worker measures solar panels with a meter to install them on the rooftop

14 Pros and Cons of Being a Solar Installation Technician

Are you interested in a fast-paced career where you can combine your love of the outdoors with your electrical knowledge…

Pet Groomer (NCMG) Certification Practice Test

Pet Groomer (NCMG) Certification Practice Test

Welcome to the Pet Groomer (NCMG) Certification Practice Test! This test is designed to help you prepare for the National…

Home Health Aide (HHA) Practice Test

Home Health Aide (HHA) Practice Test

This practice test is designed to help you prepare for the Home Health Aide certification exam. It includes 50 multiple-choice…

A man with a white hard hat holding a clipboard, inspect house

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Home Inspector?

Home inspectors conduct evaluations to determine the safety and functionality of homes for buyers. The process of becoming a home…

adult electrician builder engineer worker with electric scheme plan in front of fuse switch board

Electrician License Requirements by State

For anyone looking to pursue a career in the electrical trade, knowing the electrician licensing laws and requirements is paramount….

Optician

14 Pros and Cons of Being an Optician

Opticians are medical professionals who offer vision treatment and care. While this is the basic definition, not all opticians have…

Friendly hospital phlebotomist collecting blood

5 Top Alternative Careers for Phlebotomy Technicians

Working as a phlebotomist means you have many transferable skills that would allow you to make a good fit for…

Solar Installation Technician (NABCEP PV) Certification Practice Test

Solar Installation Technician (NABCEP PV) Certification Practice Test

This practice test is designed to help you prepare for the NABCEP PV Associate or Solar Installation Technician certification exam….

Hand of car mechanic with wrench. Auto repair garage. mechanic works on the engine of the car in the garage. Repair service. Concept of car inspection service and car repair service.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic – Career Guide

The days of being a shade tree mechanic, tinkering with an engine until you figure it out, are long gone….

Interior Designer

How Much Does it Cost to Become an Interior Designer?

The cost of becoming an interior decorator can vary. Multiple programs and certificates are offered for this type of career…

Two veterinarian doctor checking the ears of cat of the breed Cornish Rex in veterinary clinic. Pet health.

14 Pros and Cons of Being a Vet Technician

Veterinary technicians don’t just cuddle kittens or feed the noisy macaw in the front office. This job demands grit, patience,…

12 Hands-On Jobs That Pay Well and Require Less Than a Bachelor's Degree

12 Hands-On Jobs That Pay Well and Require Less Than a Bachelor’s Degree

Everyone needs to eat and pay bills, and for this, one should have a well-paying job. However, most such jobs…

Gunsmith working on an 300 Blackout AR rifle upper receiver in a California gun shop

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Gunsmith?

Gunsmiths create, repair, and customize firearms and, sometimes, other weapons, depending on the client’s vision. These professionals conduct simple tasks like disassembling,…

Plumbers shortage

What’s Plugin The Plumbing Industry, Shortage of Qualified Plumbers?

A Looming Concern is For Plumber Job Shortage Maintaining and installing plumbing systems for your commercial and residential plumbing needs…

Pros and Cons of Being a Plumber

15 Pros and Cons of Being a Plumber

When you think of a plumber, you may think they are unclogging drains and draining basement flooding after a large…

6 Top Alternative Careers for Travel Agents

Working as a travel agent requires little experience or education and comes with many rewards. However, the job isn’t right…

Interior Designer Certification Practice Test

Interior Designer Certification Practice Test

To work as an interior designer, 28 states require you to earn your certification from NCIDQ. You’ll need to meet…

Medical practitioner talking with patient

14 Pros and Cons of Being a Medical Transcriptionist

Medical transcriptionists are word wizards who work behind the scenes in the healthcare world, turning doctor-speak into precise, polished patient records….

Veterinarians Treating Dog in Modern Clinic Room

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Vet Technician?

A career path as a veterinary technician is an excellent vocational option for individuals who care about animals, are at…

Awesome Non-Nursing Careers for Nurses

11 Awesome Non-Nursing Careers for Nurses

Perhaps you trained as a nurse but you realized this career is a bit too stressful for you. If this…

woman with physical disability working in the office

Trade Jobs for People With Disabilities: What Are the Most Viable Options?

Whether it’s something you’ve lived with all your lives or an unfortunate consequence of an unforeseen incident, disability can leave…

Home health aide helps an elderly man walk

8 Best Online Home Health Aide Training Programs (Complete Guide)

People who become home health aides work in a growing field and do not have to complete a college degree…

Gunsmith Certification Practice Test

Gunsmith Certification Practice Test

This practice test is designed to help you prepare for a gunsmith certification exam by testing your knowledge of firearm…

Positive Black Female Manager Using Laptop Chatting with Male Plant Nursery Worker in Garden

Floral Designer License Requirements by State

Think of the most significant occasions in life, and there are flowers in abundant profusion. Floral arrangements are part of…

Plumbing skills

Journeyman Plumber Training and Certification

A journey worker or journeyman plumber is an individual who has completed the 4 or 5-year apprenticeship program. Some professionals…

Friendly pharmacist holding a product in a well-stocked pharmacy, providing expert advice.

Pharmacy Technician License Requirements by State

As the need for the pharmaceutical industry expands due to rapid breakthroughs in medicine, pharmacy technicians are becoming increasingly important….

interior designer making apartment model

Interior Designer License Requirements by State

Interior design is a profession that weaves aesthetics with function, unique style with technical skill, and creativity with public safety….

Sources

Career One Stop Education USA United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Institute of Education Sciences