How to Become a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

Who can apply

• West Virginia has no license for medical assistants. Physicians may delegate tasks, but W. Va. Code 30-3-14(c)(16) lets the Board of Medicine discipline a physician who delegates to someone the physician knows or should know is not qualified by training, experience or licensure.
• Taking x-rays requires a license, apprentice license or permit from the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners (W. Va. Code 30-23-2). The exemptions in 30-23-12 do not include medical assistants in physician offices.
• The only medical-assistant x-ray permit is the Podiatric Medical Assistant permit, for foot and ankle x-rays under a licensed podiatrist.

Step by step

1. Finish a medical assistant program or get on-the-job training from your employer. West Virginia does not require a set program.
2. (Optional) Pass a national certification exam (CMA-AAMA, RMA-AMT, CCMA-NHA or NCMA-NCCT). West Virginia does not require one.
3. If you work for a podiatrist and will take foot or ankle x-rays, pass the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (ASPMA) certification exam and apply to the Medical Imaging Board for a Podiatric Medical Assistant permit.
4. Do only the tasks your physician delegates and that you are qualified by training and experience to do.

Training and exam

Training: No state-mandated medical assistant program. Under W. Va. Code 30-3-14(c)(16), the delegating physician must make sure you are qualified by training, experience or licensure for each delegated task.

Exam: No state medical assistant exam; national certification is voluntary in West Virginia. The Podiatric Medical Assistant permit requires passing the ASPMA written certification exam and keeping ASPMA certification active (W. Va. Code 30-23-20).

What it costs in West Virginia

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 West Virginia

What a medical assistant can do in West Virginia: West Virginia law does not list medical assistant tasks. A physician or podiatrist may delegate professional responsibilities to you if you are qualified by training, experience or licensure to perform them (W. Va. Code 30-3-14(c)(16)).

What a medical assistant cannot do: You may not take tasks that need a license you do not hold. Under 30-23-2 it is unlawful to practice medical imaging or radiation therapy technology without a license, apprentice license or permit from the Medical Imaging Board.

X-ray: West Virginia has no limited-scope x-ray permit for medical assistants in physician offices. Outside the exemptions in 30-23-12 (students, dental assistants and hygienists taking dental x-rays, federal employees, licensed practitioners and radiologist assistants), x-rays require a Medical Imaging Board license. A Podiatric Medical Assistant permit allows only foot or ankle x-rays on approved equipment under a licensed podiatrist's supervision (30-23-21). The permit requires good moral character, a high school diploma or equivalent, and active ASPMA certification, which you must show again at each renewal.

Sources

• W. Va. Code 30-3-14 - Professional discipline of physicians and podiatrists
• W. Va. Code 30-23-2 - Unlawful acts (medical imaging)
• W. Va. Code 30-23-12 - Exemptions from Radiologic Technology license
• W. Va. Code 30-23-20 - Requirements for Podiatric Medical Assistant permit
• W. Va. Code 30-23-21 - Scope of practice for Podiatric Medical Assistants
• West Virginia Board of Medicine - Medical Practice Act
• W. Va. 18 CSR 1 - Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners (eff. July 1, 2026)