Last updated: November 2, 2026. Program details were checked on official program pages, certification body rules, and published reviews on this date. We have no affiliate relationship with any program on this list, and none paid to be included.
Medical assisting is one of the most popular ways into healthcare: training takes months, not years, and medical assistants work in doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals in every state. Online programs make it even easier to start. But there is one decision most program ads skip, and it affects your job options for years: which certification the program actually qualifies you for.
The most widely recognized credential, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants, only accepts graduates of programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES. Many low-cost online programs prepare you for a different credential, the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Both can get you hired, but they are not interchangeable. We compared online and hybrid programs on certification eligibility, externship support, cost, flexibility, and track record. Seven made the cut.
Quick comparison
| Program | Our score | Certification | Externship | Cost (USD) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited college programs | 4.4 | CMA (AAMA) eligible | Yes, built in | Varies; financial aid often available | About 9 to 12 months or more |
| Stepful | 4.1 | CCMA (NHA) | Yes, 80 to 160 hours with placement support | About $1,800 to $2,400 | About 4 to 5 months |
| Penn Foster Medical Assistant Career Diploma | 4.0 | CCMA (NHA) | Not in the diploma; included in the associate degree | $1,799 to $2,399 for the diploma | About 11 months, self-paced |
| U.S. Career Institute | 4.0 | CCMA (NHA) | Not built in | $79 per month | 4 to 7 months |
| Herzing University | 3.9 | Check accreditation by campus | Yes, plus in-person labs | Contact for pricing | Varies |
| MedCerts | 3.7 | CCMA (NHA) | Not built in | Contact for pricing | Self-paced |
| The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) | 3.6 | Check before enrolling | Check before enrolling | Contact for pricing | As few as 48 weeks |
How we ranked these programs
Certification eligibility and hands-on training decide whether a program gets you hired, so we weighted them most heavily.
| Criterion | Weight | What we checked |
|---|---|---|
| Certification eligibility | 25% | Which national exam you qualify for, and whether the program is CAAHEP or ABHES accredited |
| Externship and clinical training | 25% | Whether hands-on training and placement support are included |
| Cost and value | 20% | Published tuition, what is included, and funding options |
| Flexibility | 15% | Online share, self-pacing, and live class requirements |
| Track record | 15% | Years in operation and institution type |
| Program | Certification | Externship | Cost | Flexibility | Track record | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited college programs | 5 | 5 | 3.5 | 3 | 5 | 4.4 |
| Stepful | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.1 |
| Penn Foster | 4 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 4.0 |
| U.S. Career Institute | 4 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Herzing University | 4.5 | 5 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | 3.9 |
| MedCerts | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 5 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| CHCP | 4 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 3.6 |
CMA vs. CCMA: the decision that matters most
| Question | CMA (AAMA) | CCMA (NHA) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can take the exam | Graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs only | Graduates of a training program, or people with 1 year of supervised medical assisting experience |
| Exam fee | $125 for AAMA members, $250 for nonmembers | About $165 |
| Typical programs | Community colleges and accredited career schools | Many online career schools and bootcamps |
| Best for | Long-term career growth and employers that require CMA | Fast, lower-cost entry into the field |
Neither credential is required by law in most states, and many employers accept either. But some health systems prefer or require the CMA, so check job postings in your area before you choose a program. If you already work in healthcare, the CCMA's work-experience route can be the fastest option.
Do not skip the externship. Medical assistants take vital signs, give injections, and draw blood. Programs with an externship, real supervised clinical hours in a medical office, make you far more employable than coursework alone.
How much do medical assistants make?
The median wage for medical assistants was about $45,690 in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it is among the occupations BLS expects to add the most jobs over the next decade.
Is medical assisting a safe career bet in the AI era?
Mostly, yes. AI is already changing the administrative side of the job, such as scheduling, billing, and documentation. But the clinical side, rooming patients, taking vitals, giving injections, and assisting with procedures, is hands-on work that is very hard to automate. If you want the most durable version of this career, focus on clinical skills rather than front-desk work.
[BRIGENAI DATA: insert brigenai's AI risk score for Medical Assistant from the Careers CMS, ideally showing the difference between clinical and administrative tasks, with a link to the career page.]
Not sure whether your current job is exposed to AI? Run it through brigenai's AI Risk Assessment before you switch.
The 7 best online medical assistant programs, reviewed
1. CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited college programs
[SCREENSHOT: CAAHEP accredited program directory search. Alt text: "CAAHEP accredited medical assistant program directory"]
CAAHEP and ABHES together accredit more than 1,000 medical assisting programs, many at community colleges, and some offer hybrid formats with online classes. Graduating from one of these programs is the only way to qualify for the CMA (AAMA) exam, and most include an externship.
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Highlight: The only route to the CMA, the credential some employers specifically require.
Pros
- CMA (AAMA) eligible
- Externship usually built in
- Often eligible for federal financial aid
- Credits can count toward an associate degree
Cons
- Longer than most online career school programs
- Fewer fully online options
- Fixed semester schedules
Best for: Career changers who want the strongest long-term credential.
Target region: Nationwide
Pricing: Varies by college; check for federal aid and workforce funding.
Conclusion: Search the CAAHEP and ABHES directories first. If a hybrid program near you fits your schedule, it is the best choice.
Official site: caahep.org and abhes.org
2. Stepful
[SCREENSHOT: Stepful medical assistant program page. Alt text: "Stepful online medical assistant program with externship"]
Stepful runs a live, online medical assistant program that meets twice a week and prepares students for the NHA CCMA exam in about four to five months. It includes an externship of 80 to 160 clinical hours with placement support, plus career coaching.
Rating: 4.1 / 5
Highlight: An online program that still includes a supported externship.
Pros
- Externship with placement support
- Live classes keep you on track
- Career coaching and interview practice
- About four to five months
Cons
- CCMA, not CMA
- CCMA exam fee is not included
- Price is not shown on the main program page
Best for: Career changers who want structure and real clinical hours.
Target region: United States
Pricing: About $1,800 to $2,400, according to published reviews; Stepful says tuition varies with grants.
Conclusion: The best online-first option if you want an externship included.
Official site: stepful.com
3. Penn Foster Medical Assistant Career Diploma
[SCREENSHOT: Penn Foster medical assistant tuition page. Alt text: "Penn Foster online medical assistant career diploma"]
Penn Foster's accredited online Medical Assistant Career Diploma is self-paced and prepares students for the NHA CCMA exam, with the exam cost covered once you finish. Penn Foster also offers a 60-credit Medical Assistant Associate Degree that includes an externship.
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Highlight: A low-cost, self-paced diploma from a long-running online school.
Pros
- Self-paced and fully online
- CCMA exam cost covered on completion
- Approved for workforce funding in some states
- Upgrade path to an associate degree with externship
Cons
- The diploma does not include an externship
- CCMA, not CMA
- Self-paced study requires discipline
Best for: Self-motivated learners on a budget.
Target region: United States
Pricing: $1,799 paid in full during a promotion (regular $2,399) for the diploma; the associate degree costs about $6,100 to $6,600.
Conclusion: Strong value, but plan how you will get clinical experience.
Official site: pennfoster.edu
4. U.S. Career Institute
[SCREENSHOT: U.S. Career Institute medical assistant page. Alt text: "U.S. Career Institute online medical assistant certificate"]
U.S. Career Institute offers a self-paced online medical assistant certificate that takes four to seven months part-time. It includes at-home clinical practice materials and prepares students for the NHA CCMA exam.
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Highlight: A low monthly price with at-home practice materials.
Pros
- $79 per month
- Four to seven months part-time
- At-home clinical practice materials
- Five-day money-back period
Cons
- No built-in externship
- CCMA, not CMA
- Less live support than cohort programs
Best for: Budget-conscious learners who need maximum flexibility.
Target region: United States
Pricing: $79 per month.
Conclusion: Affordable and flexible; line up clinical experience separately.
Official site: uscareerinstitute.edu
5. Herzing University
[SCREENSHOT: Herzing medical assistant program page. Alt text: "Herzing University hybrid medical assistant program"]
Herzing University combines online classes with hands-on clinical labs and an externship, making it a better fit than most online-only options for students who want in-person clinical training.
Rating: 3.9 / 5
Highlight: Online classes plus in-person labs and an externship.
Pros
- Hands-on clinical labs
- Externship included
- University-backed program
- Path to further healthcare degrees
Cons
- Requires attending a campus for labs
- Higher cost than career-school options
- Check accreditation and CMA eligibility for your campus
Best for: Students near a Herzing campus who want hybrid training.
Target region: Selected US campuses
Pricing: Contact Herzing for current tuition.
Conclusion: A good hybrid choice; confirm the program's accreditation first.
Official site: herzing.edu
6. MedCerts
[SCREENSHOT: MedCerts medical assistant program page. Alt text: "MedCerts online clinical medical assistant program"]
MedCerts offers structured, simulation-heavy online training for medical assistants and related roles, with exam vouchers included in many programs. It partners with workforce agencies in many states.
Rating: 3.7 / 5
Highlight: Structured online training that is often workforce-funded.
Pros
- Fully online and self-paced
- Exam voucher included in many programs
- Works with workforce funding
- Bundled options with phlebotomy and EKG
Cons
- No built-in externship
- CCMA, not CMA
- Price not shown on the pages we checked
Best for: Workforce-funded learners who want structure.
Target region: United States
Pricing: Contact MedCerts for current pricing.
Conclusion: Worth considering if a workforce program will pay.
Official site: medcerts.com
7. The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP)
[SCREENSHOT: CHCP online medical assisting certificate page. Alt text: "CHCP online medical assisting certificate program"]
CHCP offers an online Medical Assisting Certificate Program of 815 hours that can be completed in as few as 48 weeks.
Rating: 3.6 / 5
Highlight: A longer, more in-depth online certificate.
Pros
- 815 hours of training
- Online format
- Structured program length
- Career-focused school
Cons
- Longer than most online options
- Price not shown on the pages we checked
- Confirm accreditation and externship details before enrolling
Best for: Students who want a more in-depth program.
Target region: United States
Pricing: Contact CHCP for current tuition.
Conclusion: Ask about accreditation, externships, and total cost before committing.
Official site: chcp.edu
Which medical assistant program should you choose?
| Your situation | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want the strongest long-term credential | CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited college program | Only route to the CMA |
| You want online classes plus real clinical hours | Stepful | Externship with placement support |
| You want the lowest cost and full flexibility | Penn Foster or U.S. Career Institute | Self-paced, low tuition |
| You live near a campus and want hands-on labs | Herzing University | Online classes, in-person labs |
| A workforce program is paying | MedCerts | Structured, workforce-friendly |
| You want a longer, in-depth certificate | CHCP | 815 hours of training |
Before you enroll, look at five medical assistant job postings near you. If several ask for a CMA, choose an accredited program. If most accept any national certification, a faster CCMA program can get you working sooner, as long as you also get clinical experience.
Thinking about healthcare as a longer-term path? brigenai's Path Simulator lets you play through five years in a chosen career, one month at a time. You can also compare medical assisting with our guides to online phlebotomy certification and online CNA classes.
FAQ
Can you become a medical assistant online?
You can complete the coursework online, but you still need hands-on clinical skills to be job-ready. The best online programs include an externship or help you arrange one.
What is the difference between a CMA and a CCMA?
The CMA (AAMA) is only open to graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs. The CCMA (NHA) accepts graduates of a wider range of training programs, or people with one year of supervised medical assisting experience. Many employers accept either.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Online CCMA programs on this list take about four to eleven months. Accredited college programs often take nine to twelve months or more, and associate degrees take about two years.
How much do online medical assistant programs cost?
On this list, published prices range from $79 a month at U.S. Career Institute to about $1,800 to $2,400 for programs like Penn Foster and Stepful. Associate degrees cost more, about $6,100 to $6,600 at Penn Foster.
Do you need certification to be a medical assistant?
Most states do not require it by law, but most employers prefer certified medical assistants, and some require a specific credential. Certification also helps with pay and job options.
Sources and how we checked
We checked every page below on November 2, 2026. Sources already linked in the article above are not repeated here.
- AAMA: CMA exam eligibility (accreditation requirement and fees)
- Course Report: CCMA vs. CMA (CCMA eligibility and exam cost)
- Achievable: getting certified as a medical assistant online (U.S. Career Institute program details)
- Penn Foster associate degree (externship and tuition)
- Saint Louis College of Health Careers: best online MA programs (Stepful externship and cost, Herzing format)
- CapYear: how to become a certified medical assistant (number of accredited programs)
- Legit.ng: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook figures (medical assistant median pay)
