15 Best Free Medical Assistant Certification Programs Online

Free Online Certificate Programs and Courses

Medical assistants have very crucial roles in the modern healthcare system, giving much needed support to doctors, surgeons, and other professionals who work in the healthcare center.

With the lack of medical assistants in the system, people are encouraged to become assistants through free online medical assistant programs and certifications.

Becoming a certified medical assistant costs a lot of money, this could be a challenge to some students, and it exerts financial stress on the students.

Thankfully many schools, organizations, and government agencies now provide free online medical assisting programs and certifications to help encourage people to follow this career path.

Through these free certifications, you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your career as a medical assistant. Also, you will gain the certification you need without paying any money.

These programs offer students like you a convenient and flexible system to study at their own pace and in a fully online format. Also, these certification programs give you the knowledge you need in major topics like medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, patient care, and medical laws.

The evolution of the healthcare industry and the resulting need for patient-centered care has created a vacuum that medical assistants are left to fill. This COVID-19 pandemic also increased the need for more medical assistants to be introduced into the system.

These events have led to a shortage of medical assistants in the healthcare sector. The United States government Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected 16% employment growth for medical assistants from 2021 to 2031. This makes medical assisting one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States.

According to BLS, medical assistants can explore other professions with little additional education, the professions they can explore include, physician assisting, nursing, and nursing assisting.

Free online medical assistant certification programs a provide valuable resources for aspiring medical assistants to enjoy a successful career as medical assistants.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced medical assistant, these programs will help you gain the skills, knowledge, and certification you need to succeed.

If you are looking for some medical assistant programs you can complete in a short time, see 18 Best 4-6 Week Medical Assistant Programs.

What is the Job of a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists doctors and other healthcare professionals in carrying out clinical and administrative duties.

The exact duties of a medical assistant may vary depending on the organizational system of the health organization they work for. The duties of a medical assistant can be divided into two major parts:

  • Administrative duties
  • Clinical duties

Administrative Duties

  • Greeting patients and answering phones
  • Scheduling appointments and managing patient records
  • Managing insurance and billing information
  • Maintaining inventory of medical supplies and equipment

Clinical Duties

  • Preparing patients for exams and procedures
  • Taking vital signs and recording medical histories
  • Performing basic lab tests and electrocardiograms
  • Assisting physicians with patient exams and procedures
  • Administering medications as directed by a physician
  • Providing patient education and instructions

Medical assistants work in clinics, hospitals, private practices, etc. They usually work under the direct supervision of a physician or another healthcare professional, but they sometimes work independently.

A medical assistant must possess good interpersonal communication skills, organizational skills, and time management skills.

The Best Medical Assistant Certifications You Can Get

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). This certification is from the National Healthcareer Association.
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). This certification is offered by American Medical Technologists.
  • Podiatric Medical Assistant Certified (PMAC). This certification is offered by the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants.
  • Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA). This certification is from Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). This certification is from the American Association of Medical Assistants.
  • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA). Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing.

Hourly Pay of Medical Assistants

There are three different measures for medical assistants’ hourly pay, they are the median hourly pay, average hourly pay, and mean hourly pay. The overall hourly pay of medical assistants is $19.85.

Median hourly pay of medical assistants: The median hourly pay of medical assistants is $17.54.

Average hourly pay of medical assistants: The average hourly pay of medical assistants is $22.16.

There is no available information about the mean annual salary of medical assistants, so I can not calculate the mean hourly pay. To calculate the hourly pay, I divide the annual salary by the average number of yearly work hours of medical assistants (2,120).

15 Best Free Medical Assistant Certification Programs Online

  • The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (ASPMA)
  • State University of New York Bronx Education Opportunity Center
  • MassHire Central Workforce Development Board
  • Springfield Technical Community College
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)
  • AMCA Medical Assitant Certification
  • Florida Vocational Institute (FVI) School of Nursing and Technology
  • Texas A and M International University (TAMIU)
  • New York City College of Technology
  • U.S. Career Institute Online Medical Assistant School
  • University of Washington School of Medicine
  • St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants
  • LifeSpan Health System
  • University of Minnesota

The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants

The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants offers one of the best free medical assistant certification programs you can find online. This program will help you prepare for the Podiatric Medical Assistant (PMA) certification exam.

In this program, you will take tests and study course materials directed at preparing you for the certification exam which you will take at the end of the program. The main topic of the course is podiatric medicine, but it also includes other topics like medical terminology and physiology.

This certification is only meant for practicing podiatric medical assistants who are either employed or self-employed. You also need to be a member of the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants to qualify for this certification.

There is also a dual certification offer from ASPMA which gives you the opportunity to take this certification together with the radiology certification. This free medical assistant certification program is available on the official website of ASPMA.

State University of New York Bronx Education Opportunity Center

The State University of New York a free medical assistant certification program online through the Bronx Education Opportunity Center.

In this medical assistant certification program, you will learn how to carry out clinical and executive tasks in medical facilities. This program lasts about 16 weeks and is meant for residents of New York, except for individuals and families who are in special or transitional housing programs.

You will be required to complete an internship before you can get certified, however, the school will help you secure an internship.

The topics you will learn in the course include medical coding, physiology, phlebotomy, anatomy, and medical terminology. You will also learn the ethics and laws that govern medical assisting. You can learn more about the certification’s requirements and also enroll in the program on the website.

This medical assistant certification is completely free and you can only register for the certification online.

MassHire Central Workforce Development Board

MassHire Central Workforce Development Board offers many free certification and training programs on its website. It offers one of the most reliable medical assistant certifications online for free, and the program lasts about 5 months.

You will be required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of internship before you will be eligible for this certification. This certification is a hybrid program because not every part of the program is completed online, you may be required to come for some sessions in person.

The certification is for anyone who wants to become a certified clinical medical assistant. You need to have a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate before you can enroll in this free medical assistant certification.

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has one of the best medical assistant certifications online that are free to enroll in. This certification is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

It will take you about one year to complete this program and receive the attached certification. As good as this opportunity may sound, this certification is only available to students who are residents of Franklin, Hampshire, or Hampden county.

You will have to complete a minimum of 160 hours of unpaid internship before you can receive this certification. At the end of this program, you will qualify for a free 2-year medical assistant associate degree program.

At the end of the 3-year study, you will take the certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and become a certified medical assistant. You can also receive the title of a registered medical assistant.

This free online medical assistant certification is not available to people who are employed full-time. You will need to pass some medical and educational requirements to be eligible for the certification. To learn more about the requirement and to take the certification, see STCC medical assistant program offered free to eligible residents.

National Healthcareer Association

National Healthcareer Association offers a free online medical assistant certification program, when you enroll in and pass the certification exam, you will become a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA).

The NHA is a nationally recognized certification agency that offered accreditation for 8 different allied health specialties in the United States. When you complete the free medical assistant program for NHA, you will be eligible to sit for the certification exam.

This certification program covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and clinical procedures. The NHA also offers study materials and practice tests to help students prepare for the CCMA certification exam.

American Medical Certification Association

You can before a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) for free through the free online medical assistant certification program created by the American Medical Certification Association.

This certification program has 14 modules, the topics in the program include medical office procedures, medical laws, medical ethics, and healthcare delivery systems. AMCA also offers practice tests to help you test your knowledge before you take the certification exam.

The certification from the American Medical Certification Association is not completely free, but it is almost free. You can take this certification on the official website. You may want to read the Top 15 Online Certificate Courses for Doctors.

AMCA Medical Assistant Certification

The American Medical Certification Association also has a medical assistant certification (MAC) certification program. You will have 2 hours to answer 100 questions in the exam, the questions in the exam are among the following topics proportionally.

  • Healthcare Systems: 13% of the questions are about healthcare systems.
  • Safety and Infection Control: 17% of the questions are about safety and infection control.
  • Anatomy and Physiology: 15% of the questions are about anatomy and physiology.
  • Medical Office Administration: 17% of the questions are about medical office administration.
  • Patient Care: 19% of the questions are about patient care.
  • Medical Law and Ethics: 19% of the questions are about medical law and ethics.

This certification is fully online, you can learn more about this certification on the AMCA website.

Florida Vocational Institute School of Nursing and Technology

FVI Vocational Institute of Nursing and Technology offers two online medical assistant certification programs, the most popular one of them is the Medical Assistant Diploma degree program. Though the programs are not basically free, the generous student aid programs make them almost free for you.

You can complete this program through online synchronous learning. In the program, you will be taught online by an instructor and not through pre-recorded videos. Through this program, you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to become an entry-level medical assistant.

When you complete the diploma program in medical assistant, you will become eligible for many nationally accredited certification exams to become a certified clinical medical assistant. You need to complete 3-6 weeks of internship or externship before you can complete this program.

Texas A and M International University

Texas A and M International University offers one of the free medical assistant certification programs online. The major aim of this program is to prepare students for the certified clinical medical assistant certification exam from the National Healthcareer Association.

This program is fully online and there are no requirements you need to meet before you can enroll in it. This program will teach you everything you need to know to become a certified clinical medical assistant and function as one.

The following are some of the things you will learn in the program:

  • Skills needed to function as a member of the healthcare team in an ambulatory setting
  • HIPAA privacy and security rules
  • Basic medical terminology
  • How to write a chief complaint and obtain a patient history
  • Importance of medical and surgical asepsis
  • Types of medical records

For more information about the program and enrollment, see Online Clinical Medical Assistant Training.

New York City College of Technology

New York City College of Technology is part of the City University of New York, and it offers a medical assistant certification program online for free. The program is 100% online and is easily accessible.

Though this offer sounds so good, there are many requirements you need to meet before you can enroll in this free program.

  • You must be 18 years old or older.
  • You must have General Educational Development (GED) or an equivalent qualification.
  • You must be a permanent citizen of the United States of America.
  • You be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing the English language.
  • You must have been a resident of New York for one year or longer.

U.S. Career Institute Online Medical Assistant School

U.S. Career Institute Online Medical Assistant School offers a 100% online medical assistant certification on its website. The program helps students prepare for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exams.

The almost-free program is completely self-paced, you learn anytime you want with no pressure on you. Though the program is self-paced, you still have access to the instructors of the program who will help guide you and give you the best learning experience.

In this program, you will gain the practical skills and training you need to become an entry-level medical assistant professional. Some of the topics covered in the program are anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, and medical billing.

For more information about this certification program, see Online Medical Assistant School.

University of Washington School of Medicine

The University of Washington School of Medicine is a reputable medical school located in Seattle, Washington, United States. The school offers a free certification program in medical assisting through its Department of Family Medicine.

This program covers many topics, including communication, medical laws, and medical terminology. When you complete the program, you will qualify for the Certified Medical Assistant exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants.

You can enroll in this program for free only if you meet the requirements stated by the school. The following list contains the requirements:

  • You must have a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.
  • You must have basic computer skills.

The program was created to help train students in medical assisting online, students who enroll in the program graduate as medical assisting professionals qualified to sit for many medical certification exams. You will also gain the skills you need to have a successful career as a medical assistant.

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants (Seems Closed)

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants offers a self-paced medical assistant program. The certification program is free and completely online. There are five topics you will learn in the program.

  • Medication injections
  • Medical billing
  • Medical law
  • Phlebotomy
  • Clinical procedures

The program trains students to become medical assistants capable of working in many healthcare settings. Students who enroll in the program have access to virtual labs and an externship program to help them gain practical experience.

You need to be a graduate of high school before you can enroll in the program, upon completing the program, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant certification exam.

LifeSpan Health System

LifeSpan Health System partners with Genesis Center and Rhode Island College to provide a free medical assistant program to students online.

The program was originally meant for residents of Rhode Island who are either unemployed or employed part-time. This program will provide you with all the knowledge and skills you need to become an entry-level medical assistant.

You need to be 18 years or older before you can enroll in this program. In this program, you will complete 720 hours of online instruction and 120 hours of internship training.

At the end of this program, you will earn the basic life support certification from the American Heart Association and you will become eligible to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam. To enroll in the program, see Medical Assistant Training Program | Lifespan.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota offers free self-paced tests on many topics, including bones, histology, and the digestive system. There are no supervisors in the tests as they are just practice tests.

The school also offers multiplayer games on the respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, as well as a quiz bowl that tests users’ knowledge of things like blood cells, bodily systems, and body regions.

The medical assistant certification tests from the University of Minnesota are free and are fully delivered online. you enroll in this program through the school’s official website.

Frequently Asked Question Medical Assistant Certifications Online Free

What is the Median Wage of Medical Assistants?

The median wage of medical assistants is $37,190 according to the data from the United States Government Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data was derived from a nationwide survey.

What Does It Take To Become a Medical Assistant?

It does take much education to become a medical assistant, you can become an assistant as a high school graduate and you will learn as you work. You can complete a diploma or an associate degree program in medical assisting. You can also become a medical assistant by enrolling in a short program.

Is it Advisable to Become a Medical Assistant?

The medical assistant profession is one of the fastest-growing professions and medical assistants earn good salaries. So having a career in medical assisting is a very good course for you.

Related Article to Free Medical Assistant Certifications