How to Become a Medical Assistant in North Carolina
Greeting patients, scheduling appointments and completing administrative duties are all included in the responsibilities of a medical assistant. Medical assistants also support physicians as they examine and diagnose patients, helping them keep track of important medical information and ensuring patients understand their prescriptions. If you want to enter this career field, you can expect to work in a hands-on environment, from interacting with people to handling medical records.[Leer en español]
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in North Carolina
In North Carolina, a high school diploma or GED is a minimum requirement to find employment as a medical assistant. While earning certification and completing a post-secondary training program are not required by law, it is a good idea to take advantage of these options. This will amp up your resumé and show employers that you are serious about your craft.
Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in North Carolina
Enrolling in a training program for medical assistants is not required to practice in North Carolina. Even so, completing one of these programs will help establish your expertise and lay the foundation for a rewarding career as a medical assistant. Each program below is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- Alamance Community College is located in the city of Graham and offers a two-year degree program in medical assisting. Upon completion, students will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree.
- Brunswick Community College is located in the city of Bolivia. The school allows students to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in medical assisting, which will take two years of study to complete.
- Carteret Community College is located in Morehead City and offers a diploma program in medical assisting. The program can be completed in about one year.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in North Carolina
Four different certifications exist for medical assistants. Of these, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) are the two most common. Other options include the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certifications. Each certification exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
While each exam has its own set of prerequisites, completing a medical assistant training program accredited by either the ABHES or the CAAHEP will typically allow you to sit for any of these exams. In some cases, you may be able to substitute experience for education, or you may need a combination of both to sit for certain exams.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in North Carolina
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data presented in 2017 indicated that medical assistants in North Carolina earned $15.44 per hour on average, which is equivalent to $32,110 per year. The highest paid medical assistants in this state earned more than $40,000 annually according to the same data.
During 2016, BLS data also indicated that there were 16,310 medical assistants working in North Carolina. By 2026, it is projected that there will be 21,030 medical assistants working in this state. This indicates a 28.9 percent expansion in the job market during this 10-year period.
Working as a Medical Assistant in North Carolina
In North Carolina, cities like Pleasant Hill, Garysburg and Henrico are common places where medical assistants receive the highest compensation.
You can choose to work in a variety of medical facilities, including hospitals, private practices or urgent care offices. With great communication skills and an eye for detail, you can excel at this career and set yourself up for rapid advancement within the industry.
Popular Schools
College Listings
College | Address | Program Information |
---|---|---|
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 Victoria Rd Asheville North Carolina 28801 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,547, Out-of-State $8,691 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Haywood Community College | 185 Freedlander Drive Clyde North Carolina 28721 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,538, Out-of-State $8,682 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
South College-Asheville | 140 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville North Carolina 28803 | Associate Program |
Alamance Community College | 1247 Jimmie Kerr Road Graham North Carolina 27253 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,190, Out-of-State $8,070 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 401 Medical Park Drive Concord North Carolina 28025 | Associate Program Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition: $12,268 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Central Piedmont Community College | 1201 Elizabeth Avenue Charlotte North Carolina 28204 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,792, Out-of-State $8,936 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Gaston College | 201 Hwy 321 S Dallas North Carolina 28034 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,562, Out-of-State $8,708 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
King's College | 322 Lamar Avenue Charlotte North Carolina 28204 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $14,320 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
South Piedmont Community College | 680 Highway 74 West Polkton North Carolina 28135 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,873, Out-of-State $6,481 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Southeastern Institute-Charlotte | 5250 Seventy-Seven Center Drive Charlotte North Carolina 28217 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $16,784 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Durham Technical Community College | 1637 Lawson Street Durham North Carolina 27703 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,840, Out-of-State $6,388 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Piedmont Community College | 1715 College Dr Roxboro North Carolina 27573 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,547, Out-of-State $8,691 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville | 3725 Ramsey St. Fayetteville North Carolina 28311 | Associate Program Tuition: $10,692 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Wayne Community College | 3000 Wayne Memorial Dr Goldsboro North Carolina 27534 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,524, Out-of-State $8,668 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Guilford Technical Community College | 601 E. Main Street Jamestown North Carolina 27282 | Associate Program Tuition: In-District $2,176, In-State $2,328, Out-of-State $7,168 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Randolph Community College | 629 Industrial Park Ave Asheboro North Carolina 27205 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,912, Out-of-State $6,520 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Virginia College-Greensboro | 3740 South Holden Road Greensboro North Carolina 27406 | Associate Program Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition: $14,632 Program Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
Pitt Community College | 1986 Pitt Tech Road Winterville North Carolina 28590 | <1 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,929, Out-of-State $6,537 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Western Piedmont Community College | 1001 Burkemont Ave Morganton North Carolina 28655 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,577, Out-of-State $8,721 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville | 1291 Hargett Street Jacksonville North Carolina 28540 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $10,560 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Carteret Community College | 3505 Arendell St Morehead City North Carolina 28557 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,847, Out-of-State $9,759 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
College of the Albemarle | 1208 N Road St Elizabeth City North Carolina 27906 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,227, Out-of-State $6,852 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Craven Community College | 800 College Ct New Bern North Carolina 28562 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,053, Out-of-State $6,661 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Martin Community College | 1161 Kehukee Pk Rd Williamston North Carolina 27892 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,862, Out-of-State $6,470 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Pamlico Community College | 5049 Hwy 306 South Grantsboro North Carolina 28529 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,867, Out-of-State $6,475 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Central Carolina Community College | 1105 Kelly Dr Sanford North Carolina 27330 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,544, Out-of-State $8,688 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
James Sprunt Community College | 133 James Sprunt Drive Kenansville North Carolina 28349 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,502, Out-of-State $8,646 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Lenoir Community College | 231 Highway 58 South Kinston North Carolina 28502 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,551, Out-of-State $8,695 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Vance-Granville Community College | 200 Community College Road Henderson North Carolina 27537 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $1,944, Out-of-State $6,552 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Johnston Community College | 245 College Road Smithfield North Carolina 27577 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,529, Out-of-State $8,673 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Miller-Motte College-Cary | 2205 Walnut Street Cary North Carolina 27518 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $10,584 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools **Not Currently Accepting Enrollments |
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh | 3901 Capital Blvd Ste 151 Raleigh North Carolina 27604 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $10,748 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Wake Technical Community College | 9101 Fayetteville Road Raleigh North Carolina 27603 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,768, Out-of-State $8,912 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Edgecombe Community College | 2009 W Wilson St Tarboro North Carolina 27886 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,504, Out-of-State $8,648 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Nash Community College | 522 N. Old Carriage Road Rocky Mount North Carolina 27804 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,632, Out-of-State $8,776 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Cleveland Community College | 137 S Post Rd Shelby North Carolina 28152 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,526, Out-of-State $8,670 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Davidson County Community College | 297 Davidson Community College Rd Thomasville North Carolina 27360 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,588, Out-of-State $8,732 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Mitchell Community College | 500 W Broad Street Statesville North Carolina 28677 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,631, Out-of-State $8,775 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Montgomery Community College | 1011 Page St Troy North Carolina 27371 | <1 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,537, Out-of-State $8,681 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Richmond Community College | 1042 W Hamlet Ave Hamlet North Carolina 28345 | <1 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,510, Out-of-State $8,654 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Stanly Community College | 141 College Drive Albemarle North Carolina 28001 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,661, Out-of-State $8,805 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Mayland Community College | 200 Mayland Drive Spruce Pine North Carolina 28777 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,430, Out-of-State $8,574 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Southwestern Community College | 447 College Dr Sylva North Carolina 28779 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,213, Out-of-State $7,589 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Surry Community College | 630 S. Main St. Dobson North Carolina 27017 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,540, Out-of-State $8,684 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Tri-County Community College | 21 Campus Circle Murphy North Carolina 28906 | <1 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,363, Out-of-State $8,507 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Wilkes Community College | 1328 South Collegiate Dr Wilkesboro North Carolina 28697 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,572, Out-of-State $8,716 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Miller-Motte College-Wilmington | 5000 Market Street Wilmington North Carolina 28405 | Associate Program Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition: $10,595 |
Forsyth Technical Community College | 2100 Silas Creek Pky Winston-Salem North Carolina 27103 | Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,056, Out-of-State $6,838 Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |