Online Medical Assistant Programs in California: Become CMA Eligible
Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing careers in California. These entry-level professionals support healthcare providers by performing both clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices and hospitals across the state. If you’re looking to enter the field, you need to find the right program. And if you’re interested in studying online, you need to learn how it all works.
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Medical Assisting Health ScienceHow They Work: Inside 3 Top CA Programs
California medical assistant programs are available at different educational levels, allowing students to choose a path based on their career goals and time commitments. Certificate and diploma programs, typically completed in 9–12 months, focus on essential administrative and clinical skills. Associate degree programs — which often take around two years to complete — provide a broader curriculum, which can be helpful for career advancement or further studies. Some accelerated medical assistant programs can be completed in as little as six weeks.
Below are three standout programs to help you compare timelines, learning formats, outcomes, and curriculum between online medical assistant programs in California.
Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate — California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
The online Clinical Medical Assistant program at CSULB includes 140 hours of self-paced online curriculum, complemented by an optional clinical externship at a local healthcare facility. Students gain essential skills in patient care, laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and cardiology, with the opportunity to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam upon completion.
Students interested in a more structured format and hands-on training can opt to take the hybrid version of the course, which includes 10 hands-on labs and a clinical externship opportunity on top of the 140 hours of online coursework. Unlike the self-paced option, lectures follow a predetermined schedule. Regardless of the program format, students must pass a criminal background check and drug screening to qualify for clinical rotations.
Duration: 140 Units/4 months (self-paced)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,899
Admissions Requirements: N/A
Curriculum:
- Preparing patients for exams, treatments, lab work, and diagnostic procedures
- Learning healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, patient privacy, and legal requirements
- Measuring and recording vital signs, such as blood pressure, during office visits
- Understanding medication management, including allergies and pharmacology principles
- Conducting lab tests, performing phlebotomy, and collecting specimens correctly
- Gaining knowledge of cardiology and accurately placing leads for 12-lead EKGs
Programs that might interest you:
AS in Medical Administrative Assisting — Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Medical Administrative Assisting designed to prepare students for a vital role in healthcare settings like medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. The program emphasizes professional traits and responsibilities essential for becoming an integral part of the healthcare team. Students gain hands-on skills and foundational knowledge to excel in patient care and administrative tasks.
Students looking to enter the field more quickly can choose to take the “Program Requirement” courses and earn a certificate of achievement instead of the AS degree. The school recommends meeting with an academic counselor to discuss your career goals before choosing a pathway. The program also does not clarify which medical assisting certification graduates qualify for, so prospective students should ensure the program meets their desired certification requirements before enrolling.
Duration: 60 units/24 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,760-$22,440 (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements: N/A
Core Curriculum:
- Keyboarding I
- Business Information Systems with Applications
- English Skills for the Office
- Microsoft Word
- MS Outlook
- Medical Vocabulary
- Medical Billing (Medisoft)
- Medical Coding/Billing I
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Terms and Transcription I
- Electronic Health Records
Medical Assisting AS — Cerro Coso Community College
The Medical Assisting Associate of Science (AS) at Cerro Coso Community College prepares students for administrative and clinical roles in healthcare. This comprehensive program covers medical terminology, electronic health records, medical law and ethics, and communication in healthcare while also developing essential clinical skills. Graduates are prepared to sit for the California Certifying Medical Assistant (CACMA) exam. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals, providing a strong foundation for a healthcare career.
Duration: 60 units/2 years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $6,360-$26,100 (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Completion of core classes with a grade of “C” or better
- Pass a certified background check
- Submission of a completed application to Cerro Coso Community College
Curriculum:
- General education requirements
- Medical assisting courses on computer literacy, healthcare communication, medical law and ethics, electronic health records, and medical terminology
- Basic administrative courses on office software, medical office procedures, medical insurance and billing, medical coding, and an administrative medical assistant externship
- Clinical courses on clinical medical assisting, medication administration, laboratory procedures, and a clinical medical assistant externship
Medical Assisting FAQs from California Students
After reviewing your options, are you still considering becoming a medical assistant in California? It’s natural to have follow-up questions about training, certification options, career paths, and what to expect after graduation. Rest assured, these are common concerns for many students. Below, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions to help you get started.
Are scholarships or grants available for online medical assistant students in CA?
Yes, there are plenty of gift-based scholarships and financial aid options available. Many of these grants come from private organizations, such as corporations and nonprofits. Others come from the state of California, such as the Cal Grant. Then there are the schools themselves, like MiraCosta College, which offers scholarships to eligible students. You can also complete the FAFSA to qualify for federal financial aid.
Expert Insight
If you are applying for financial aid such as FAFSA, it is important you apply as early on as you can. From previous experience applying for FAFSA, there can be unforeseen delays that can cause your financial aid to not be approved on time. So apply as soon as you can in you qualify for financial aid.
Are there professional organizations or networking opportunities for California medical assistants?
California’s most prominent professional organization for medical assistants is the California Society of Medical Assistants. This state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers networking and continuing education opportunities to medical assistants in all phases of their careers.
Do I need to complete any prerequisites before applying?
It depends on the school. Some California schools, like MiraCosta College, require applicants to complete introductory medical terminology and biology courses. In contrast, others, like that at CSULB, do not require students to complete any prerequisites before admission or enrollment.
Admission requirements vary by school and program. At a minimum, you should expect to submit an online application and provide official copies of your high school transcript or comparable credentials. Additional requirements will depend on the school. For instance, the Bay Area Medical Academy requires applicants to pass an English test and complete an interview. In contrast, Gurnick Academy requires applicants to submit an essay about why they want to become a medical assistant and the qualities that will help them succeed in the program.
Expert Insight
One of the things I did when I was comparing medical assistant programs was create an Excel sheet. This will help you compare all the programs by recording what each of their cost is, amount of time to complete, and the requirements. You can decide on the best program that fits your needs by creating a list like this.n
How much should I expect to pay for my program?
The exact cost of your online medical assistant program will depend on several variables, including the type of school (public or private) and program type (certificate/diploma or associate degree). Programs that provide graduates with a certificate or diploma are shorter and generally more affordable — you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars in tuition and fees for these programs. Online medical assistant programs in California that culminate in an associate degree are often more expensive overall, as they typically take two to three times longer.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in California cover?
Most online medical assistant classes in California offer similar curricula to prepare students to pass certification exams and gain skills and knowledge that the typical California healthcare employer expects new hires to possess. As such, you should expect to learn the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, medication delivery, dosage calculation, healthcare ethics and legal requirements, billing, insurance processing, medical terminology, and office administration.
Expert Insight
When studying the material from the curriculum, there are sources provided by the program and then outside resources. For instance, there are several websites that offer free practice exams and practice questions. Practice questions helped me master the material and prepare for the certification exam.n
CA Certifications and Continuing Education for MAs
Medical assistants in California are not required to hold a certification to work, but employers highly value certification. To become a certified medical assistant, you must graduate from an accredited program, which boosts your job prospects and ensures eligibility for certification exams. Most programs require completing a clinical externship with 160–180 hours of hands-on training, often arranged through statewide partnerships.
Popular certifications include:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the AAMA
- California Certified Medical Assistant (CACMA) from CCBMA
California also recognizes several Medical Board-approved certifying organizations, such as:
Once certified, many organizations require license renewals, often involving continuing education. For example, AAMA and CCBMA mandate 60 continuing education units. To grow your career, consider a specialization or explore teaching opportunities as a qualified medical assistant through additional state-approved certifications.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in California
Medical Assistants
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 811,000 | 912,200 | 101,200 | 12.5% | 112,300 |
| California | 113,600 | 139,400 | 25,800 | 22.7% | 17,580 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
Medical Assistants
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $39,290 | $49,660 | $77,300 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,440 | $46,560 | $60,370 |
| Chico, CA | $39,050 | $47,150 | $58,450 |
| El Centro, CA | $37,320 | $45,290 | $57,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,300 | $46,500 | $70,660 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $38,950 | $49,510 | $59,140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,160 | $47,760 | $73,940 |
| Merced, CA | $35,600 | $39,800 | $50,510 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,830 | $49,990 | $78,080 |
| Napa, CA | $45,890 | $62,050 | $79,730 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $43,210 | $50,680 | $67,570 |
| Redding, CA | $37,910 | $46,210 | $55,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $38,540 | $46,700 | $62,360 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,330 | $61,970 | $78,090 |
| Salinas, CA | $40,730 | $48,890 | $59,550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $43,340 | $49,420 | $66,340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $47,070 | $59,790 | $79,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $49,370 | $61,940 | $79,620 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $38,940 | $49,520 | $72,730 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $40,690 | $50,090 | $75,140 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $39,820 | $49,500 | $63,270 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $46,770 | $64,820 | $79,890 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $36,460 | $47,840 | $78,150 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47,150 | $77,410 | $77,800 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,720 | $47,140 | $56,260 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,830 | $49,410 | $61,870 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
