Medical Assistant Requirements in Texas
Is any prior education or training required?
Texas does not establish any education or training requirements. Many entry-level medical assistants are trained on the job. Yet most employers will prefer that a medical assistant complete an accredited education program. You can find a list of medical assisting program accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) on each website.
Are medical assistants required to be certified?
No, Texas law does not require medical assistants to be certified. You can, voluntarily, be nationally certified either as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), by American Medical Technologists (AMT), or as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
How can a medical assistant become certified by AMT?
American Medical Technologists requires the successful completion of a certification exam. AMT lists study resources to help prepare for the exam. To apply for certification by AMT, you must:
- Meet one of the five eligibility criteria.
- Fill out and mail the application, supporting documents, and $95 application fee.
- Schedule the certification exam once the application is processed.
How can a medical assistant become certified by AAMA?
The American Association of Medical Assistants requires the successful completion of a certification exam. AAMA lists study resources to help prepare for the exam. To apply for certification by AAMA, you must:
- Graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assisting program.
- Fill out and mail the application, supporting documents, and application fee.
- Schedule the certification exam once the application is processed.
Is continuing education necessary?
Yes, both AMT and AAMA require that medical assistants keep their membership current.
- AMT requests an annual fee to renew membership. Every three years, members are required to complete continuing education credits. You can read more about AMT’s continuing education program here.
- AAMA requires recertification every 60 months, by examination or continuing education. The current recertification requirements are listed on the AAMA website.
What tasks is a medical assistant legally allowed to perform?
Most medical assistants in Texas work in private medical offices under the supervision of a physician, nurse, or physician assistant. Administrative medical assistants perform office duties such as updating files and scheduling appointments. Clinical medical assistants perform limited medical tasks. They are allowed to take vital signs, draw blood, and administer medication, among other things. You can read a more detailed list of approved procedures at this link. Physicians are allowed to delegate to a medical assistant with adequate training any medical procedures that do not require professional judgment.
Additional Information
The Texas Society of Medical Assistants, a professional organization, provides additional resources.