CertOutlook

Medical Assistant in Virginia

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

Median annual salary
$42,310
trending_down -4.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering
15,990

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Surging
+12.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$125

Licensing fees

schedule
9-24 months for programs; certification exam preparation may add additional time.

Time to complete

route How to become a medical assistant in Virginia

In Virginia, Medical Assistants are not licensed by the state and practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. While not legally required, national certification (such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is the industry standard and highly preferred by employers. Aspiring Medical Assistants typically need a high school diploma or GED and should complete an accredited training program to prepare for a national certification exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,040
25th percentile $37,380
50th (median) $42,310
75th percentile $46,060
90th (experienced) $48,510

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

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing bodyNo state licensing body; Medical Assistants practice under the supervision of a licensed physician.
State license Not required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program (CAAHEP or ABHES for CMA, or approved training program/one year experience for CCMA) is generally required by employers.
ExamNational certification exams (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) are not state-mandated but are industry standard and often required by employers. ($125)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesMedical assistants in Virginia are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician, who is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Most certification bodies require candidates to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs and employers may also require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is often a prerequisite for clinical training. Virginia allows delegation of tasks to unlicensed assisting personnel.

Source: No state licensing body; Medical Assistants practice under the supervision of a licensed physician.

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

How do you get certified as a medical assistant in Virginia? expand_more
To become a medical assistant in Virginia, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program (CAAHEP or ABHES for CMA, or approved training program/one year experience for CCMA) is generally required by employers.), and pass the National certification exams (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) are not state-mandated but are industry standard and often required by employers..
Is a state license required for medical assistants in Virginia? expand_more
medical assistants in Virginia are not required to hold a state license. Note: Medical assistants in Virginia are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician, who is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Most certification bodies require candidates to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs and employers may also require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is often a prerequisite for clinical training. Virginia allows delegation of tasks to unlicensed assisting personnel.
How much do medical assistants make in Virginia? expand_more
Virginia medical assistants bring home a median salary of $42,310. This is close to the national median of $44,200. New medical assistants start around $35,040; seasoned professionals can reach $48,510.
How expensive is medical assistant licensing in Virginia? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($125) and required training.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Virginia? expand_more
Most candidates in Virginia complete the process in 9-24 months for programs; certification exam preparation may add additional time., from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

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