Medical Assistant License Requirements

Please see license requirements for specific medical assistant professions.

Medical Assistant – Certified or Interim Certification Requirements

State license verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Education and training

All applicants must have their transcripts sent directly from their school or organization or sent in a sealed envelope. Transcripts or other official documents must indicate that the program was completed with a completion date. Applicants must submit proof of completion of one of the following medical assistant training programs:

  • Completion of a medical assistant program offered by a school accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); or
  • Completion of a medical assistant program offered by a school accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the US Department of Education, which includes a minimum of 720 clock hours of training in medical assisting skills, including an externship of no less than 160 hours; or
  • Completion of a registered apprenticeship program administered by a department of the state of Washington unless the secretary determines that the apprenticeship program training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state. The apprenticeship program shall ensure a participant who successfully completes the program is eligible to take one or more examinations identified in WAC 246-827-0200(2).

The secretary of health may also approve an applicant who submits documentation that he or she completed post-secondary education with a minimum of 720 clock hours of training in medical assisting skills, including an externship of no less than 160 hours. The documentation must include proof of training in all of the duties identified in RCW 18.360.050(1).

Military training or experience also satisfies the training and experience requirements unless the secretary determines that the training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the requirements listed above.

Examinations

Each applicant must successfully pass one of the following exams within five years prior to submission of an initial application for medical assistant certified:

  • Certified Medical Assistant Exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA); or
  • Registered Medical Assistant Exam through American Medical Technologists (AMT); or
  • Clinical Medical Assistant Exam through the National Health Career Association (NHA); or
  • National Certified Medical Assistant Exam through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
  • Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Examination through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).

* An applicant who meets all credentialing requirements except passage one of the exams listed above qualifies for the medical assistant interim certification. A person holding an interim certification possesses the full scope of practice of the medical assistant-certified. The interim certification expires upon passage of one of the examinations listed above or after one year, whichever occurs first, and cannot be renewed.

Additional information/documents required

Each applicant must attest to the following competencies:

  • Completion of high school education or its equivalent
  • The ability to read, write, and converse in the English language

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.360 RCW and chapter 246-827 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Medical assistants-certified must renew their credential every two years after the initial renewal. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday. Renewal fees are accepted by the department no sooner than 90 days prior to the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements.

Medical Assistant – Hemodialysis Technician Certification Requirements

State license verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Education and training

Each applicant must attest that he or she:

  • Completed a hemodialysis training program as described under WAC 246-827-0500(2); or
  • Holds a national credential as a hemodialysis technician that is substantially equivalent to the training described under WAC 246-827-0500(2).

Military training or experience also satisfies the training and experience requirements unless the secretary of health determines that the training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the requirements listed above.

Additional information/documents required

Each applicant must attest to the following competencies:

  • Completion of high school education or its equivalent; and
  • The ability to read, write, and converse in the English Language; and
  • Basic math skills including the use of fractions and decimal points; and
  • Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.360 RCW and chapter 246-827 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Medical assistant-hemodialysis technicians must renew their credential every two years after the initial renewal. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday. Renewal fees are accepted by the department no sooner than 90 days prior to the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements.

Medical Assistant – Phlebotomist Certification Requirements

State license verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Education and training

Applicants must submit proof of one of the following medical assistant-phlebotomist training programs:

  • Submit transcripts showing successful completion of a phlebotomy training program through a post-secondary school or college accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; or
  • Have your phlebotomy training program's supervising health care practitioner attest that you have successfully completed a phlebotomy training program as outlined under WAC 246-827-0400(2). The attesting health care practitioner, defined under RCW 18.360.010(4), must hold a current Washington state license.

Military training or experience also satisfies the training and experience requirements unless the secretary of health determines that the training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the requirements listed above.

Additional information/documents required

Each applicant must attest to the following competencies:

  • Completion of high school education or its equivalent
  • The ability to read, write, and converse in the English language

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.360 RCW and chapter 246-827 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Medical assistant-phlebotomists must renew their credential every two years after the initial renewal. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements.

Medical Assistant – Registered Registration Requirements

State license verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Education and training

A healthcare practitioner, as defined under RCW 18.360.010(5), must attest to each applicant's competency to perform the tasks within the scope of practice of a medical assistant-registered. Only the clinical tasks attested to on the attestation form (PDF) may be performed by the medical assistant-registered.

The endorsement is valid as long as the medical assistant-registered is continuously employed by the same health care practitioner, clinic, or group practice and the credential is renewed. A new credential is required if the medical assistant-registered separates employment from the endorsing health care practitioner, clinic, or group practice and is employed by a new health care practitioner, clinic, or group practice as a medical assistant-registered.

An applicant for a medical assistant-registered credential who applies to the department within seven days of employment by the endorsing health care practitioner, clinic, or group practice may work as a medical assistant-registered for up to 60 days while the application is processed. The applicant must stop working on the 60th day of employment if the registration has not been granted for any reason.

Additional information/documents required

Each applicant must attest to the following competencies:

  • Completion of high school education or its equivalent
  • The ability to read, write, and converse in the English language

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.360 RCW and chapter 246-827 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Medical assistants-registered must renew their credential every two years after the initial renewal. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday. Renewal fees are accepted by the department no sooner than 90 days prior to the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements.