According to California state law, medical assistants must receive the proper training before being allowed to work in the field. This means that students should choose carefully and select the best possible medical assistant training program to ensure the highest chances of success when pursuing a career.

Featured Schools And Programs

California’s Medical Assisting Employment Environment

Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations in the state of California. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists California as the number one state in the nation in terms of employment for qualified medical assistants. California’s medical assistants also enjoy some of the highest salaries in the field, earning an average of $33,750 a year.

The Future of Medical Assisting in California

As the demand for medical assisting services continues to rise in California, the number of new jobs being created in the field will also increase. This makes California one of the most promising states in the country in which to become a medical assistant. The rate of job growth is so promising, in fact, that the US Department of Labor expects thousands of new medical assisting jobs to become available in California each year for at least the next decade.

California is a clear leader in terms of employment, salary, and benefits in the field of medical assisting.

California Medical Assisting Programs

American Career College

Program Link: Medical Assistant Diploma
Description: American Career College has campuses available in Orange County, Ontario, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. Since its start 35 years ago, American Career College has provided a sound technical education to thousands of students. The school boasts exceptional service to students and offers help in securing everything from financial aid and career placement to child care and transportation.
Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Programs: diploma
Average Program Length: 9 months (6.5 month accelerated program available)
Tuition: $17,017 (total cost)
Clinical Experience: Externship
Job Placement Rate: 70%
Fun Fact: American Medical Colleges allows you to test drive the program. If you decide within the first seven days that it is not for you, you can get a full refund.

Cabrillo College

Program Link: Medical Assistant program
Description: Students of Cabrillo’s medical assisting program may choose to specialize in administrative medical assistant, insurance specialist, EKG technician, medical office receptionist, electronic health records, phlebotomy technician, or EKG technician. Students can mix and match fields of study to custom tailor an education that is just right. The program is open to any student who is at least 18 years old and who has a high school diploma or GED.
Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Programs: certificate; Associate degree
Average Program Length: certificate – 36.5 credits; A.S. – 60 credits
Tuition: $1,703
Clinical Experience: Externship
Job Placement Rate: 72%
Fun Fact: Students who graduate from this program are eligible to sit for the AAMA examination.

American College of Healthcare

Program Link: Medical Assistant Program
Description: American College of Healthcare has campuses in Huntington Park and Riverside and offers a quality medical assistant program that features all of the clinical and administrative aspects of the job. This school maintains an extensive network of local healthcare employers and offers ongoing career counseling and assistance to all graduates of the medical assistant program.
Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Programs: certificate
Average Program Length: 35 weeks
Tuition: $16,553
Clinical Experience: externship
Job Placement Rate: 79%
Fun Fact: ACH has a 96% retention rate.

Carrington College – California

Program Link: Medical Assisting program
Description: Carrington College has locations convenient to many California students. With campuses at Antioch, Citrus Heights, Pomona, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, and Stockton, they serve many of California’s aspiring medical assistants. The program offers a well-blended combination of clinical, administrative, and real-world training that will prepare you for your future career with a thriving healthcare provider. In addition, the four start dates throughout the year allow you to begin your program at a time that is convenient for you.
Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Programs: certificate; Associate’s Degree
Average Program Length: certificate – 36 weeks; Associate’s degree – 72 weeks
Tuition: certificate – $13,168-$17,792; degree – $26,060-$30,884
Clinical Experience: externship
Job Placement Rate: certificate – 56%; degree – 80%
Fun Fact: The Pomona campus has the lowest tuition rates.

Angeles College

Program Link: Medical Assistant diploma
Description: Angeles College was started in 2004 to provide a highly qualified healthcare workforce. The campuses in Garden Grove and Los Angeles provide convenient locations for students and cut down on travel time. The well-rounded program offers training in clinical and administrative tasks and prepares graduates to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination. The college provides a relaxed, professional environment for students that includes state-of-the-art facilities, a library, a lounge area, and a full range of student support services. At Angeles, students can get the education they need at an affordable price.
Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Programs: Diploma
Average Program Length: 30 weeks
Tuition: $11,000
Clinical Experience: Externship
Job Placement Rate: 70%
Fun Fact: Angeles College has a medical assistant on-time completion rate of 100%.

Online Medical Assistant Programs

We Review the Best Medical Assistant Schools for You

Medical Assistant Programs and Schools in California