Medical Assistants work on the frontline of medicine, performing clinical and administrative duties and making modern healthcare delivery personal and efficient.

Medical Assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings — physician offices, clinics, hospitals, specialty care facilities, nursing homes, etc.  Their duties can vary depending upon the type, location, specialty, and size of the facility.

Common duties of Medical Assistants can include:

•  Greeting patients and recording their medical histories and personal information
•  Measuring patients' vital signs – such as pulse and blood pressure
•  Assisting physicians with patient examinations and minor procedures
•  Entering patients' information into medical records
•  Giving patients injections or medications as directed by physicians (as permitted by state law)
•  Preparing blood and other patient samples for laboratory testing
•  Scheduling patient appointments and procedures

 
Additionally, as the shortage of US healthcare providers becomes greater, Medical Assistants are projected to be in even greater demand.  [The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 23% increase in jobs for Medical Assistants between 2018 and 2028.]

 
Medical Assistants are a vital component of modern healthcare delivery.

Graduating from a high-calibre Medical Assisting training course is just the first step — albeit an extremely important first step.

 
Certification by a recognized national board allows you to pursue…

 
Additionally… If you are an international healthcare professional, certification provides a US-based credential with which to seek employment in US healthcare.  This can be beneficial both financially and as a means of acquiring US clinical experience in support of another career goal.

 
Take the next step and… Get Certified !

The HCI^℠ Certification Examination for Medical Assistants is a 160-question computer-based exam (CBE).

The examination must be completed within three (3) testing-hours.

The examination is administered at HCI-authorized testing locations and online.

 
The breakdown of the subject areas tested is approximately:

• General Medical Assisting Knowledge:   40%
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Terminology
  • Medical Law, Ethics, and Regulatory Issues
  • Interpersonal Relations and Communication Skills
  • Professionalism
  • Safety and Risk Management
  • Patient Education
• Administrative Medical Assisting:   25%
  • Medical Reception
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Medical Business Practices
  • Medical Bookkeeping and Financial Management
  • Health Insurance
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Medical / Health Records
• Clinical Medical Assisting   35%
  • Infection Control
  • Documentation of Care
  • Patient Intake
  • Vital Signs
  • History Taking
  • Physical Examination
  • Instrumentation and Equipment
  • Collecting and Processing Medical Specimens
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Pharmacology
  • Nutrition
  • Therapeutic Procedures
  • Electrocardiography
  • Basic First Aid
  • Emergency Management

 
Passing Score:
In order to pass the examination, examinees must achieve a scaled score of at least 70 points.

Must Be a High-School Graduate

• Applicants must possess a high school diploma or the equivalent
• (or)
• Applicants must possess a post-secondary diploma or degree
   

Must Possess Training and/or Experience Specific and/or Relevant to Medical Assisting

• Must have graduated from an accredited, US-based Medical Assisting training program (or a program approved by the Healthcare Certification Institute) within the past three (3) years ^‡
• (or)
• Must have graduated from an official medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces within the past three (3) years ^‡
• (or)
• Must have worked (with supervision) as a Medical Assistant in the United States for a minimum of 2,000 hours within the past three (3) years ^‡‡
• (or)
• Must be a graduate of a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools or of an officially licensed/accredited school of nursing
   
• ‡ Note for Pre-Graduates: Those individuals who anticipate graduating from a qualifying program within the next six (6) months and who are otherwise eligible for certification, may take the certification examination prior to graduation; however, certification will not be issued until the graduation requirement is satisfied (which must be done within six (6) months of applying for certification).
   
• ‡‡ Note for International Applicants: International applicants may substitute non-US work experience.
   

Must Possess Active/Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Issued By the American Heart Association^® Within the United States

• ‡‡ Note For International Applicants: International applicants may substitute alternate, HCI-approved BLS certification.
   

Must Be Proficient In Written and Spoken English

• Must be able to document English language proficiency   Options

  Have a diploma, degree, or academic certificate from an accredited school, college, or university whose documented primary language of instruction is English
      (or)
  TOEFL iBT score of at least 79 (or the equivalent on an alternative TOEFL exam)
      (or)
  IELTS score of at least 6.5
      (or)
  OET score of at least 300 on all parts
   

If you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility, contact us.

Certification Application Fee:   $ 140.00  ^†

 
Certification Application Fee Includes:
Review of Your Eligibility Documents and Qualification of Eligibility
One (1) Standard Examination Administration at One of Our Standing Locations or Online

AND… Upon Confirmation of Eligibility and Passing the Examination:
HCI Medical Assistant Certification — Valid for Two (2) Years
Downloadable Certificate (suitable for printing)
One (1) Year Associate Membership in the AAIHCP

 
Alternatively… Would you like for one of our proctors to come to you?
For an additional convenience fee, we are happy to travel to you to administer the examination.
Contact us for more information.

 
Ready To Apply?

Contact Us

Wondering about state licensure requirements for Medical Assistants?
Check out our interactive map…

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information on this map is NOT AUTHORITATIVE and is subject to change.
You must always check with local authorities and state boards of professional licensure for current, authoritative information for the jurisdiction in which you work or plan to work.

 
^†  IMPORTANT NOTES:
a) You are not eligible for a refund (in whole or in part) if you fail to pass the examination.
b) If you are found to be ineligible to take the certification exam and/or if you wish to cancel your application, you can request a complete refund LESS a $25 administrative fee.  You must request cancellation at least three (3) days prior to your scheduled examination date.

¹  The Healthcare Certification Institute and DRN Education do not make any guarantees or assurances about employment opportunities or earning potential.