Medical Assistant in North Carolina

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

Median annual salary

$42,600

trending_down -3.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Carolina.

engineering

23,970

Jobs (NC)

monitoring Surging

+12.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$120

Licensing fees

schedule

4-24 months (depending on program type and pace)

Time to complete

route How to become a medical assistant in North Carolina

To become a Medical Assistant in North Carolina, individuals are not required to hold a state license; however, they practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or other authorized healthcare provider, with the North Carolina Medical Board regulating their scope of practice. While not state-mandated, national certification (such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is an industry standard and often a prerequisite for employment. Aspiring MAs typically need a high school diploma or GED and often complete an accredited medical assisting program, which can range from 4 to 24 months, before taking a national certification exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,920

25th percentile $37,350

50th (median) $42,600

75th percentile $46,340

90th (experienced) $51,720

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

checklist North Carolina requirements

Licensing body	North Carolina Medical Board (regulates scope of practice, but does not license MAs)
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or equivalent. Completion of an accredited Medical Assisting program is often required by employers and for national certification.
Exam	National certification exams (e.g., CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), NCMA (NCCT)) are not state-mandated but are industry standards and often required by employers. ($120)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Medical assistants in North Carolina are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician or other authorized healthcare provider, who is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are generally required for certification. Some programs may require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records.

Source: North Carolina Medical Board (regulates scope of practice, 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

Wondering if a medical assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a medical assistant in North Carolina? expand_more

To become a medical assistant in North Carolina, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent. Completion of an accredited Medical Assisting program is often required by employers and for national certification.), and pass the National certification exams (e.g., CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), NCMA (NCCT)) are not state-mandated but are industry standards and often required by employers..

Can I work as a medical assistant in North Carolina without a license? expand_more

North Carolina does not require a state license for medical assistants. Note: Medical assistants in North Carolina are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician or other authorized healthcare provider, who is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are generally required for certification. Some programs may require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records.

What is the average medical assistant salary in North Carolina? expand_more

The median medical assistant salary in North Carolina is $42,600 per year. This is close to the national median of $44,200. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $34,920, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $51,720.

What's the total cost to get medical assistant certified in North Carolina? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($120) plus your education and training.

How many months or years does medical assistant certification take in North Carolina? expand_more

Most candidates in North Carolina complete the process in 4-24 months (depending on program type and pace), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does North Carolina require continuing education for medical assistants? expand_more

License renewal in North Carolina requires completing 10.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.