A career as a Medical Assistant (MA) offers a direct path into the healthcare field, providing support for both clinical and administrative functions in settings like physician offices and clinics. Because the role involves patient care and medical procedures, Washington State requires all individuals working in this capacity to hold a specific credential issued by the Department of Health (DOH). Navigating the state’s regulatory framework requires meeting precise education, examination, and application standards. This guide focuses exclusively on the Washington-specific process to obtain an official MA credential.
Understanding Medical Assistant Credentials in Washington
Washington State legally recognizes three distinct types of Medical Assistant credentials, each with a different scope of practice and set of requirements. Understanding the differences between these credentials is important for determining the correct application pathway. The Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) is the highest level, allowing the broadest range of duties, including medication administration and performance of certain clinical procedures under supervision.
Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C)
The MA-C is the recognized full certification, requiring both formal education and passage of a national examination. Holders possess the full scope of practice authorized under state law, covering a wide array of administrative and clinical tasks. Obtaining this status requires applicants to complete an approved training program and successfully pass a DOH-recognized national certification exam within five years of applying.
Medical Assistant-Registered (MA-R)
The MA-R is a registration with a significantly narrower scope of practice than the MA-C, particularly limiting medication administration and prohibiting phlebotomy. This registration does not require a formal training program or national testing. Instead, it is tied to the employer and requires an endorsement from a supervising healthcare practitioner. The registration is only valid as long as the MA-R is continuously employed by the same endorsing healthcare practitioner, clinic, or group practice.
Medical Assistant-Interim (MA-I)
The Medical Assistant-Interim (MA-I) is a temporary credential for individuals who have met all the requirements for the MA-C except for passing the required national examination. This interim permit grants the individual the full scope of practice of an MA-C while they prepare for and take the examination. The MA-I is not renewable and expires upon passage of the certification exam or after one year, whichever occurs first.
Completing Approved Education and Training
The path to the Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) credential begins with completing a DOH-approved education or training program that meets specific hour and curriculum requirements. The most direct route is graduation from a medical assisting program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These programs are recognized as meeting the state’s standards for comprehensive training.
Alternatively, an applicant can complete a post-secondary program from a regionally or nationally accredited school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This program must include a minimum of 720 clock hours of training encompassing medical assisting skills and an externship of no less than 160 hours. Documentation must confirm training in all duties outlined in the relevant state statute.
Proof of successful completion, typically official transcripts, must be sent directly to the Department of Health (DOH) from the school or training organization. The DOH also recognizes military training or experience as satisfying the requirements if the Secretary of Health determines it is substantially equivalent to the state’s established standards.
Passing the Required Certification Examination
To achieve the Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) status, applicants must successfully pass a national certification examination approved by the Washington Department of Health (DOH). The exam must have been passed within five years prior to the date the initial application is submitted. The state accepts examinations offered by several national organizations, ensuring multiple options are available to candidates.
The DOH accepts examinations from several national organizations. Official exam scores or national certification verification must be sent directly from the examining body to the DOH.
Accepted Examinations
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam provided by American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Certification Examination from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Examination through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).
Submitting Your Application to the Washington Department of Health (DOH)
After completing the required education and passing a DOH-approved national examination, the formal application must be submitted to the Washington Department of Health (DOH) for credentialing. The DOH accepts applications either online or through a paper packet. Applicants must pay the required application fee at the time of submission, which is non-refundable. Applications with unpaid fees cannot be processed until payment is received.
The application requires applicants to disclose personal data, including a history of any professional liability claims and a list of all states where they currently hold or have previously held credentials. For out-of-state credentials, the applicant may need to have that jurisdiction submit a verification form directly to the DOH. The DOH conducts a criminal background check on all applicants. A fingerprint-based background check may be required for those who have lived in another state or have a criminal record in Washington.
Applicants notified that a fingerprint-based check is required must arrange for and pay the cost of the fingerprinting and the federal database search fee, currently set at $33. Failure to submit fingerprints when requested will delay the application processing time. A credentialing specialist reviews each application to verify it meets all requirements outlined in state law and code.
Maintaining and Renewing Your Washington Credential
Once the Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) credential is issued by the Department of Health (DOH), the holder must adhere to the state’s renewal cycle to maintain an active status. Initial credentials expire on the credential holder’s birthday in the year following the first full year of licensure. After the initial period, the MA-C credential must be renewed every two years.
The renewal process involves submitting the required renewal fee and completing the administrative process within the 90 days prior to the expiration date. While many healthcare professions require continuing education (CE), the DOH currently does not mandate CE for the renewal of the MA-C credential. Maintaining an up-to-date address and contact information with the DOH is important for receiving renewal notices and other official communications.