How to Become a Medical Assistant in Massachusetts

Who can apply

• Massachusetts does not license medical assistants. The immunization law for certified medical assistants says plainly that it does not authorize their licensure (M.G.L. c. 112, s. 265(c)).
• To give immunizations, you must meet the law's definition of a "certified medical assistant". You must have graduated from an accredited post-secondary medical assisting program (CAAHEP or ABHES) or a certificate program approved by the Commissioner of Public Health. You must also work in a licensed primary care provider's practice.
• Taking x-rays requires a radiologic technologist license from the Department of Public Health (M.G.L. c. 111, s. 5L; 105 CMR 125.002). Since February 13, 2026, this includes a new Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography license.

Step by step

1. Finish a medical assistant program. If you want to give immunizations, choose a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited post-secondary program, or a certificate program approved by the Commissioner of Public Health.
2. Optional: earn a national certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA or NCMA). The state does not require an exam, but the immunization law requires an accredited or approved program.
3. Get a job in a medical practice. Immunizations may be delegated to you only in a licensed primary care provider's practice.
4. If your job includes x-rays, complete a Department-approved or JRCERT-accredited limited scope radiography program and apply to DPH for the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography license.
5. Work only under delegation and supervision. For immunizations, the primary care provider must be in the facility and immediately available.

Training and exam

Training: Massachusetts has no general state-mandated medical assistant program. To give immunizations, you must have graduated from a post-secondary medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP (formerly the AMA's CAHEA) or ABHES, or from a certificate program the Commissioner of Public Health approves (M.G.L. c. 112, s. 265). DPH says that by September 1, 2027, all Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography training programs must be JRCERT-accredited. Programs that apply before then can get provisional state approval.

Exam: Massachusetts has no state exam for medical assistants. The immunization statute requires graduation from an accredited or approved program, not a certification exam. For the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography license (created February 13, 2026), you must complete a course of study in up to two specialties (chest, extremities, skull/sinuses, spine or podiatric) and pass the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography Examination given by ARRT (or another Department-approved certifying board) at the passing score Massachusetts sets.

What it costs in Massachusetts

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

Good to know in Massachusetts

What a medical assistant can do in Massachusetts: A primary care provider working within their own scope of practice may delegate giving immunizations to a certified medical assistant (M.G.L. c. 112, s. 265). The certified medical assistant does basic administrative, clerical and clinical duties on the provider's specific authorization and under direct supervision. Here, direct supervision means the provider is in the facility and immediately available throughout the procedure but does not have to be in the room.

What a medical assistant cannot do: Board of Registration in Medicine rule 243 CMR 2.07(4) says medical services may not be delegated to anyone who is not licensed to perform those services in Massachusetts. A physician who knowingly lets an unauthorized person practice medicine can be disciplined. The board also treats interpreting blood pressure readings as the practice of medicine (243 CMR 2.07(2)). The immunization statute is a specific exception for certified medical assistants in primary care practices.

X-ray: No one may do the work of a radiologic technologist in Massachusetts without a DPH license (105 CMR 125.002). On February 13, 2026, DPH's Division of Radiation Control amended 105 CMR 125.000 to create a Limited Scope of Practice of Radiography license, aimed at urgent care and similar settings. Training must come from a JRCERT-accredited or Department-approved program, and from September 1, 2027 it must be JRCERT-accredited.

Sources

• M.G.L. c. 112, s. 265 - Administration of immunization by certified medical assistant
• 243 CMR 2.07 - Delegation of Medical Services (Cornell LII)
• 105 CMR 125.002 - License required (Cornell LII)
• DPH - Notice to Prospective Limited Scope of Practice Radiography Programs (May 1, 2026)
• DPH - 105 CMR 125.000: Licensing of Radiologic Technologists
• DPH - Apply for Radiologic Technologist or Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography License
• 105 CMR 125.000 Licensing of Radiologic Technologists (125.005(B))