Medical Assistant in Georgia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$39,000
trending_down -11.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering
26,800

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Surging
+12.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$125

Licensing fees

schedule
9-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a medical assistant in Georgia

In Georgia, Medical Assistants are not licensed by the state, and there is no specific state licensing body. They practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, who is responsible for ensuring their competence. While not legally required, obtaining a national certification (such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is considered the industry standard and is often a prerequisite for employment by many healthcare providers. Certification typically requires completing an accredited medical assisting program and passing a national exam. Renewal of national certifications usually occurs every two years and requires continuing education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $31,130
25th percentile $36,280
50th (median) $39,000
75th percentile $46,200
90th (experienced) $48,950

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Georgia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing bodyGeorgia Composite Medical Board
State license Not required
EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent; accredited MA program often required by employers.
ExamNational certification (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) is not state-mandated but is the industry standard. ($125)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education30.0 hours per cycle
ReciprocityGeorgia does not license medical assistants; national certifications are recognized, but state laws vary.Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Georgia does not license medical assistants. National certifications are recognized across states, but individual state laws and employer requirements may vary.
NotesMedical assistants in Georgia are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician. The delegating physician is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. While not state-mandated, national certification (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) is the industry standard and often required by employers. Some training programs may have age requirements (e.g., over 18) and require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records.

Source: Georgia Composite Medical Board

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Georgia? See whether Georgia recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Medical Assistant license reciprocity guide.

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
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a medical assistant in Georgia? expand_more
Georgia requires medical assistants to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent; accredited MA program often required by employers.), and pass the National certification (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) is not state-mandated but is the industry standard..
Can I work as a medical assistant in Georgia without a license? expand_more
Georgia does not require a state license for medical assistants. Note: Medical assistants in Georgia are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician. The delegating physician is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. While not state-mandated, national certification (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) is the industry standard and often required by employers. Some training programs may have age requirements (e.g., over 18) and require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records.
What do medical assistants earn in Georgia? expand_more
In Georgia, the median pay for medical assistants comes to $39,000/year. — 12% under the $44,200 national average. New medical assistants start around $31,130; seasoned professionals can reach $48,950.
What's the total cost to get medical assistant certified in Georgia? expand_more
Costs include exam fee ($125). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.
How quickly can I become a medical assistant in Georgia? expand_more
Expect to spend 9-24 months from start to finish in Georgia — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
How many CE hours do medical assistants need in Georgia? expand_more
Yes — medical assistants in Georgia must complete 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.

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