How to Become a Medical Assistant in Missouri

Checked against Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts (physician licensing); Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Radiation Control Program (x-ray equipment) · Verified 2026-10-15

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: See state office
State fee: See state office
Rules set by: Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts (physician licensing); Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Radiation Control Program (x-ray equipment)

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Who can apply

Missouri does not license medical assistants. The medical practice act (RSMo Chapter 334) has no medical assistant section.
Missouri also has no license for x-ray operators. The Missouri Radiation Control Program says no such license exists in the state.

Step by step

Finish a medical assisting program or on-the-job training.
Optionally earn a national certification (CMA-AAMA, RMA-AMT, CCMA-NHA or NCMA-NCCT). Missouri does not require one.
If your job includes x-rays, get the training your employer requires. Missouri leaves x-ray training and experience standards largely to each facility.
Work under the supervision of the physician practice that employs you.

Training and exam

Training: No state-mandated medical assistant program. For x-rays, the Radiation Control Program says setting training and experience standards is largely left to each facility, which must make sure equipment is used competently and safely.

Exam: Missouri has no state medical assistant exam and no state x-ray operator exam. National MA certification is voluntary. ARRT registration is required by rule only for mammography operators and for operators employed by Medicare-certified portable x-ray providers.

No state exam here, but most employers ask for national certification. Practice for the CMA/RMA/CCMA free →

What it costs in Missouri

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

Medical assisting program tuition(optional)$
Optional national certification exam$

Estimated total in Missouri$0

Cost details from the state

Medical assisting program tuition varies by school.
Optional national certification exam fee, paid to the certifying body.

Pay in Missouri

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Missouri after taxes.

Good to know in Missouri

X-ray: Missouri is one of five states (with Alabama, Idaho, North Carolina and South Dakota) with no statewide license for x-ray operators, per the Missouri Radiation Control Program. Each facility that owns x-ray equipment must ensure it is used competently and safely (RSMo 192.430). Many hospitals and clinics set their own rule that only physicians, ARRT technologists or ARRT students may take x-rays, but that is not a state requirement.

X-ray exceptions: Mammography operators must be ARRT-registered and have additional training (federal rules and 19 CSR 30-11.050). Operators working for Medicare-certified portable x-ray providers (nursing homes, home health) must be ARRT-registered under federal rules.

Physician order for x-rays: The Radiation Control Program says a medical x-ray on a person must be for a legitimate healing arts purpose, which usually means a physician order (verbal or written) for each exam, or an approved screening program. X-rays without that purpose expose people to unnecessary radiation, which RSMo 192.430 prohibits.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts (physician licensing); Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Radiation Control Program (x-ray equipment) before you apply.