Scope of Practice and Certification and Licensure of Medical Assistants in the United States

INTRODUCTION: A medical assistant (MA) works under the supervision of physicians or nurses to perform standard clinical and administrative tasks in different health care settings. There is little consistency across the United States regarding the credentialing of MAs. This study examines MAs' perceptions of their training and certification process for MAs in a southwestern hospital. METHODS: Secondary data analyses were performed on survey data to examine for differences at pre- and post-training to assess MAs' perceived effectiveness of the certification on improving their clinical knowledge and skills. We triangulated by analyzing data from semistructured interviews to clarify our understanding the perception of MAs' needs for certification. RESULTS: Survey results of quantitative analyses revealed MA certification was viewed favorably, but its effectiveness in enhancing MAs' knowledge and skills remained debatable. In phase 2, participants expressed that certification was valuable, contributing to the MAs' willingness to engage in additional education. DISCUSSION: MAs' perceptions toward the certification were essential for professional growth, competence, and patient safety. Yet, they faced barriers such as test anxiety, limited time, and access challenges that impeded successful completion. Moreover, they believed that certification enhances confidence and career advancement; however, inconsistent skill gains and logistical difficulties highlight the need for flexible, well-supported, and balanced training approaches that integrate both online and in-person learning for sustainable professional development. Therefore, future research is warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of MA certification in enhancing health care delivery and health outcomes.