Are There Free Online Medical Assistant Certifications?

Updated on 9/17/2025

If you're thinking about becoming a medical assistant (MA), you may be curious about the kind of training you'll need. You're wondering, ''Are there any organizations offering medical assistant certification online for free?''

Keep reading as we explore this question in detail. We'll look at some free informational courses available online, talk about how to earn your MA certification affordably, and answer various questions you may be asking.

Are There Free Medical Assistant Certifications Online?

Some schools, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations offer free in-person medical assistant programs. These programs enable students to get trained and become certified medical assistants (CMAs) without paying tuition or other costs, often in exchange for working for the training provider or partnered organizations after completing the program.

However, as noted, these programs are typically available in-person; there are no fully online training programs for medical assistants that provide free tuition. The free courses that are available, which we'll discuss below, are for informational purposes only and do not lead to certification.

Low-Cost and Free Pathways To Medical Assistant Certification

Maybe you're still wondering whether it is possible to earn your medical assistant certification at little to no expense. Fortunately, there are several tips and tricks you can use to reduce or eliminate costs while completing your education.

Explore Free Online Courses

Some online platforms, such as Coursera and Alison, offer free CMA classes online. Remember, these courses are only for gathering background knowledge and confirming your interest in the field; a free online course will not provide the credentials you need to become a medical assistant.

That said, free online courses can be beneficial for anyone just beginning to explore this healthcare career path. They provide a great way to find out what all is involved in a medical assistant career before enrolling in a certification program.

Apply for Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are financial awards that, unlike student loans, do not have to be paid back. Schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations often provide scholarships for students in various academic programs.

Look for grants or scholarships specifically for aspiring medical assistants or allied health professionals. Here are some options to consider:

• Scholarship of Excellence from the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP)
• The Maxine Williams Scholarship Fund from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• Deborah L. White, CMA (AAMA) Scholarship from the South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants

Check for Employer Tuition Assistance

Many employers provide tuition assistance as a benefit to their employees. Companies like Amazon, Lowe's, Publix, and many more often cover some or all costs associated with higher education.

Each company provides different types and amounts of assistance, and medical assistant programs may or may not be covered. Always check with your employer to find out what specific tuition coverage benefits are available to you.

Take Advantage of Workforce Development Programs

As noted above, some organizations offer free in-person medical assistant programs in exchange for the student working for specific employers after graduation. These programs are called workforce development programs.

These programs may be offered by hospitals, career training organizations, and other nonprofits to encourage students to pursue career opportunities in high-demand fields, such as medical assisting. Some organizations known for offering free in-person MA workforce development programs include:

• Propel America
• Oregon Health and Science University
• Gundersen Health System

Find Apprenticeships and Work-Study Opportunities

Apprenticeships provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in their field. Work-study programs enable students to work entry-level jobs in various fields to cover some of their degree or certificate costs.

Some schools and organizations may offer these opportunities for medical assisting students. Paid apprenticeships and work-study programs can help you gain experience in your field while earning money toward your education.

Free Medical Assistant Courses Online (Non-Certifying)

If you're interested in free medical assistant programs or courses to learn more about the field, keep reading. Below, we'll talk about five platforms and courses that may provide just what you're looking for.

1. Medical Assisting Foundations

The Medical Assisting Foundations course is available on Coursera and is offered by MedCerts. Students can complete the course within six hours, making it possible for them to complete it for free if they do so within the first week of enrolling, though they may need to pay a fee to obtain a certificate.

Students in this course learn the basic skills and competencies they will need in the medical assisting and other patient care fields: medical terminology, basic anatomy, infection control, and more. Upon completing this course, students can earn a career certificate to add to their resume.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Six hours

2. Medical Administrative Assistants and the Healthcare Team

This is another course available from MedCerts through the Coursera platform. Learners can complete the course in five hours for free if they complete it within the first week of the enrollment period, and may earn a career certificate once they are finished.

The program helps students understand the administrative tasks medical assistants are responsible for, such as managing electronic health records (EHRs) and scheduling appointments. The course also provides a good overview of the medical assistant's roles as part of a healthcare team.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Five hours

3. American Medical Technologists Courses

American Medical Technologists (AMT) is a certifying organization for allied healthcare professionals. It offers a handful of short online courses for medical assistants, as follows:

• What Employers Look for When Hiring Medical Assistants
• Medical Assisting Curriculum During the Pandemic: Shifts and Continuity
• Resources for Engaging Future Medical Assistants: In-Person and Remote Environments

While these courses are generally designed for current healthcare professionals, those considering job opportunities as medical assistants can learn more about the field by enrolling in them. The courses can give prospective students ideas about what will be involved in their training and what employers are looking for in CMAs.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Varies

4. Wisc-Online Courses

Wisc-Online is a website that provides various interactive and educational games and courses. Various individual courses can help students learn more about the medical assisting profession, such as:

• Professionalism
• The Skeleton: Bones and Joints
• Taking Messages in a Medical Office

Courses are typically offered in the forms of videos, screencasts, and animated and interactive activities. Thanks to the wide range of courses, students can gain a broad, though introductory, understanding of what to expect as a medical assistant.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Varies

5. Alison Courses

Alison is a well-known provider of online courses on a wide range of subjects. It provides several options for learning about the medical assisting profession. Good courses to consider include:

• Medical and Clinical Administration
• Medical Secretary Training
• Medical Office Administration

Some of the available courses offer diplomas or certificates of completion, and students can access all of the course materials online for free. Taking multiple courses can help learners develop a well-rounded understanding of the CMA job title.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Varies

How We Rank Courses

We strive to provide only the best learning opportunities for students. We used the following selection criteria to choose the courses featured above:

• Course cost: All of the courses can be completed for free.
• Course value: Each course provides information about what medical assistants do and what to expect from an in-person or online medical assistant program.
• Course provider reputation: All of the course providers have strong reputations and are known for providing helpful online courses on a range of subjects.

Steps To Become a Certified Medical Assistant

If you've completed one or more of the free online courses above and have decided you want to pursue medical assistant certification, keep reading. Below, we'll talk about what it takes to become a CMA.

• Step 1: Enroll in an accredited program: Any training program you enroll in should be accredited by an organization such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Some schools may offer online classes for medical assistant training, while other programs must be completed in person.
• Step 2: Complete classroom and clinical requirements: Even if a program claims to be ''100% online,'' you will still need to complete in-person components of your training to gain real-world experience. These components may include practice in simulation labs and working clinical rotations.
• Step 3: Apply and sit for the certification exam: The most common medical assistant credentials are the CMA and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certifications, which are available through the AAMA and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), respectively. You will need to apply for your certification of choice, which you may then complete either online or in-person at a testing center.
• Step 4: Maintain certification with continuing education: Regardless of the certification you earn, you will need to complete continuing education on a regular basis to maintain your credentials. Check with your certifying body to find out how much and how often to complete this continuing education to maintain your specific certification.

How Much Does Medical Assistant Certification Really Cost?

The exact cost of becoming a medical assistant can vary widely depending on the type of program you enroll in and the organization providing the training. Most programs cost a few thousand dollars at least, though tuition can range from around $1,000 to more than $30,000.

You may encounter additional costs aside from tuition, such as uniforms, textbooks, and CPR certification costs. These can add up to several hundred dollars more onto your total amount.

Finally, it's important to consider certification costs. NHA certification, for example, costs around $155 for those hoping to take the CCMA certification exam. The CMA certification, may cost anywhere from $125 to $200, depending on AAMA membership status.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Certified Medical Assistant?

Different training programs run for different lengths of time. Certificate and diploma programs are often short, sometimes as little as six to nine months or less. Associate degree programs commonly last one to two years.

Part-time learners may take longer to complete their program of choice than full-time learners. Online or hybrid programs often provide flexible courses that allow students to study on whatever schedule works for them.

Discover Online Medical Assistant Training

If you're interested in pursuing medical assistant certification online or in person, explore the schools here on Learn.org. Contact any of the programs directly for more information and to choose the right option for you.