Medical Assistant in Iowa
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Iowa.
Jobs (IA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a medical assistant in Iowa
In Iowa, Medical Assistants are not licensed by the state. However, most employers require national certification, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Aspiring Medical Assistants typically complete an accredited training program, which can range from 4 months to 2 years, and then pass a national certification exam. They practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or physician assistant, who is responsible for ensuring their competence.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Iowa. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Iowa requirements
| Licensing body | Iowa does not have a state licensing body for Medical Assistants. |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assisting training program (often required by employers and for national certification). |
| Exam | National certification exams (e.g., CMA (AAMA), RMA, CCMA) are not state-mandated but are industry standard and often required by employers. ($170) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Medical assistants in Iowa are not licensed by the state and practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or physician assistant. The delegating practitioner is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Most employers require national certification. Minimum age of 18 and a clean background check are often prerequisites for training programs. CPR certification is also frequently required. |
Source: Iowa does not have a state licensing body for Medical Assistants.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
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