How to Become a Medical Assistant in California

Who can apply

• California does not license or register medical assistants. The Medical Board says they work without needing a certification.
• You must be trained before doing technical tasks: either by a licensed physician or podiatrist (or certain other licensed or qualified staff), or in an approved school or accredited program.
• To take x-rays you need a CDPH Limited Permit X-ray Technician (XT) permit.

Step by step

1. Finish a medical assistant program or get training under a licensed physician or podiatrist (or other qualified trainer).
2. Complete the extra training the rules require for injections, skin tests, blood draws or inhalation medications (10 clock hours each, plus hands-on practice).
3. (Optional) Pass a certification exam from a Board-approved organization. This is needed to become a "qualified medical assistant" who can train other medical assistants.
4. If you will take x-rays, graduate from a CDPH-approved limited permit X-ray technician school, apply to CDPH with $112 per category, and pass the exam.
5. Work under a licensed physician, podiatrist, PA, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife who is physically present in the treatment facility when you do technical procedures.

Training and exam

Training: No state-approved program is required for the job itself, but 16 CCR 1366.1 sets minimum training for certain tasks: 10 clock hours to give injections and skin tests, 10 clock hours for venipuncture and skin puncture, or 10 clock hours to give medication only by inhalation. You must also perform at least 10 each of intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal injections and 10 skin tests, and/or at least 10 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures. Training continues until you show proficiency to the supervising physician, podiatrist or instructor.

Exam: No state medical assistant exam. National certification is voluntary, but you need certification from a Board-approved organization (AAMA, AMCA, AMT, California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants, or Multiskilled Medical Certification Institute) or a teaching credential to be a "qualified medical assistant" who trains others. For x-ray, you must pass the CDPH limited permit exam; the CDPH form says your information may go to ARRT for examination purposes.

What it costs in California

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

For x-ray permits, CDPH says it replies within 30 days of receiving an application and issues the permit within 45 days after you pass the exam.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: No medical assistant credential to renew. If you hold an XT x-ray permit, renew every two years with 24 approved continuing education credits (keep proof for four years). Renewal is $104 per category before expiration, $120 if expired within six months, or $224 if expired within five years; after five years you must reapply.

Good to know in California

What a medical assistant can do in California: Clerical and administrative work, and technical supportive services after the required training and with a specific written or standing order: intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal injections, skin tests, drawing blood, applying and removing bandages, removing sutures, ear lavage, preparing patients for exams, measuring and recording skin test reactions (without interpreting them), and handing patients pre-packaged, labeled prescription drugs (not controlled substances) after the provider verifies them.

What a medical assistant cannot do: Place an IV needle, start or disconnect an IV infusion, or give medication into an IV line; insert a urine catheter; chart pupillary responses; do telephone triage independently; inject collagen; use lasers to remove hair, wrinkles, scars, moles or blemishes; give chemotherapy; diagnose or treat; or work in inpatient care in a general acute care hospital.

Supervision: The Medical Board says the supervising physician, podiatrist, PA, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife must be physically present in the treatment facility while you perform technical supportive procedures.

X-ray: CDPH issues Limited Permit X-ray Technician (XT) permits in these categories: chest, extremities, torso-skeletal and skull (each applied for together with radiation protection, called core), plus a separate dental laboratory permit. You need a diploma or certificate from a CDPH-approved XT school and $112 per category. CDPH says permits are issued within 45 days after you pass the exam.

Sources

• Medical Board of California - Medical Assistants
• 16 CCR 1366.1 - Minimum Training Requirements (Cornell LII)
• CDPH Radiologic Health Branch - Limited Permit X-ray Technician
• CDPH 8232 - X-ray Technician Limited Permit Application (6/2023)
• CDPH 8232 SRA - Special Renewal Application (9/2024)