Medical Assistant in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
Median annual salary
$45,440
trending_up
+2.8% vs. national
BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.
engineering
23,300
Jobs (AZ)
monitoring
Surging
+12.5%
10-yr job growth
payments
$120
Licensing fees
schedule
7-24 months (depending on program type)
Time to complete
route How to become a medical assistant in Arizona
To become a Medical Assistant in Arizona, individuals must complete an approved training program. While the Arizona Medical Board oversees the rules for Medical Assistants, it does not issue state licenses. National certifications, such as the CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA), are not state-mandated but are highly valued by employers and recognized by the Board. Some training programs may require applicants to be at least 18 years old and pass a background check.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
10th percentile (entry)
$37,840
25th percentile
$39,740
50th (median)
$45,440
75th percentile
$48,140
90th (experienced)
$50,580
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Arizona requirements
| Licensing body | Arizona Medical Board (for oversight of MA rules, but does not license MAs) |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | Completion of an approved training program accredited by CAAHEP, ABHES, or a program accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a medical assisting program designed and offered by a licensed allopathic physician that meets or exceeds these accreditation standards. Exceptions exist for those who completed unapproved training prior to February 2000 and were employed as an MA since, or worked at least 2000 hours as an MA for the same physician/group prior to February 2000. |
| Exam | National certification exams (e.g., CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA)) are not state-mandated but are industry standard and recognized by the Arizona Medical Board. ($120) |
| Notes | Arizona does not license medical assistants. However, state statute A.R.S. § 32-1456 outlines specific education and training requirements for medical assistants to perform certain procedures under physician supervision. National certification is strongly preferred by employers. Minimum age for some programs is 18 (or 17 with guardian consent). Some programs require a background check and CPR/BLS certification. |
Source: Arizona Medical Board (for oversight of MA rules, but does not license MAs)
work_outline Job outlook
10-year growth
+12.5%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
112,300
Nationwide per year
Total employment
811,000
Nationwide
neurology
AI & tech impact
verified
Low exposure
0.15/1.00
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
hub
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.5%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
arrow_forward
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Frequently asked questions
What's required to work as a medical assistant in Arizona? expand_more
In Arizona, becoming a medical assistant requires you to complete the required education (Completion of an approved training program accredited by CAAHEP, ABHES, or a program accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a medical assisting program designed and offered by a licensed allopathic physician that meets or exceeds these accreditation standards. Exceptions exist for those who completed unapproved training prior to February 2000 and were employed as an MA since, or worked at least 2000 hours as an MA for the same physician/group prior to February 2000.), and pass the National certification exams (e.g., CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA)) are not state-mandated but are industry standard and recognized by the Arizona Medical Board..
Can I work as a medical assistant in Arizona without a license? expand_more
medical assistants in Arizona are not required to hold a state license. Note: Arizona does not license medical assistants. However, state statute A.R.S. § 32-1456 outlines specific education and training requirements for medical assistants to perform certain procedures under physician supervision. National certification is strongly preferred by employers. Minimum age for some programs is 18 (or 17 with guardian consent). Some programs require a background check and CPR/BLS certification.
What do medical assistants earn in Arizona? expand_more
Arizona medical assistants bring home a median salary of $45,440. This is close to the national median of $44,200. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,840, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $50,580.
How expensive is medical assistant licensing in Arizona? expand_more
Between exam fee ($120), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How many months or years does medical assistant certification take in Arizona? expand_more
In Arizona, becoming a medical assistant generally takes 7-24 months (depending on program type), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
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