Earn Your California Medical Office Specialist Diploma with Medical Billing & Coding Training (100% Online)
Ready for a healthcare career that doesn’t require patient care? National Career College’s Medical Office Specialist program prepares you for the essential behind-the-scenes work that keeps healthcare facilities running smoothly—in just 8 months. Master medical billing, coding, insurance processing, and electronic health records entirely online or with blended learning.
California medical office specialists earn competitive salaries with strong growth projected through 2034. It’s a stable, office-based healthcare career perfect for detail-oriented professionals who want to work in healthcare without clinical duties.
💡 Master medical billing, coding, and office administration in 8 months. Study 100% online, and complete your 205-hour externship at a local medical facility. Our graduates work in medical offices, billing departments, hospitals, and insurance companies.
California Medical Office Specialist Program at a Glance
| Credential | Diploma |
| Program Length | 8 months (includes 205-hour externship) |
| Location | 100% Online with local externship placement |
| Schedule | Daytime Live Virtual Class Sessions (Mon-Thur) Evening Live Virtual Class Sessions (Mon-Thur) |
| Total Credits | 37.5 semester credit hours |
| Accreditation | ABHES-accredited |
What You’ll Learn in NCC’s California Medical Office Specialist Program
Our comprehensive online curriculum covers everything you need for medical billing, coding, and office administration:
Medical Coding & Billing: | Medical Office Administration: |
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding | Medical Office Procedures & Management |
CPT Procedure Coding | Electronic Health Records (EHR) |
Medical Insurance Processing | HIPAA Compliance & Healthcare Law |
Electronic Medical Billing Systems (MOSS Software) | Medical Terminology (3 comprehensive modules covering all body systems) |
Claim Preparation & Submission | Anatomy & Physiology I, II, III |
Medical Office Finance | Computer Applications & Microsoft Office |
205-Hour Externship: Master real-world medical billing and coding with actual patient records and insurance claims | |
National Certification Eligibility: Upon graduation, you’re eligible to sit for:
✓ Nationally Certified Insurance & Coding Specialist (NCICS) – NCCT
✓ Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) – NCCT
👉 Want the complete curriculum breakdown? View our full Course Catalog
Why Choose NCC’s California Medical Office Specialist Program?
- 100% Online – Study from anywhere in California on your schedule
- 8-Month Timeline – Fast track to career entry in the healthcare field
- No Patient Care – Perfect for those who prefer office work over clinical duties
- In-Demand Skills – Master both medical billing AND coding
- Local Externship – 205 hours of hands-on experience at a medical facility near you
- Flexible Learning – Self-paced online coursework with instructor support
- Job Placement Support – Career services and employer connections
Many Students Secure Jobs During Their Externship Our Career Services team provides resume assistance, interview preparation, and job search support. Many students receive job offers from their externship sites or through our employer connections.
Admissions Requirements
Getting started at NCC’s online Medical Office Specialist program is straightforward:
You’ll Need:
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED/HiSET)
- California residency (required)
- Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) score of 12+ (50 questions, 12 minutes)
- Reliable internet connectivity
- Basic computer skills (assessed during enrollment)
- Webcam for online classes
- Personal interview and campus tour (virtual option available)
- $75 registration fee (non-refundable)
Ready to apply? Start Your Application
Program Cost & Financial Aid
| Tuition: | $14,550.00 |
| Materials & Supplies: | $1,065.00 |
| Books & Uniforms: | $660.00 |
| Registration Fee: | $75.00 |
| Estimated Total Cost: | $16,350.00 |
| Financial Aid Options for California Residents: | |
| Federal Pell Grants | Direct Parent PLUS Loans |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) | Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) |
| Cal Grants (California residents) | Private loans and scholarships |
💻Chromebook Provided: NCC provides a Chromebook to each student for distance education at no additional cost.
💵Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Our financial aid team helps you explore every funding option.
💰 Calculate your actual cost: Use our Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate based on students like you.
Distance Education & Technology Requirements
Online Learning Platform: All coursework is delivered through Canvas LMS with 24/7 technical support. You’ll have access to:
- Video lectures and demonstrations
- Interactive assignments and quizzes
- Discussion boards with classmates and instructors
- Live virtual class sessions
- Medical software simulations (MOSS)
- Electronic textbooks and resources
Externship Placement: Your 205-hour externship will be at a medical facility in California near you. NCC coordinates placement at approved sites, including medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and billing companies.
Ready to Start Your Medical Office Specialist Career?
The demand for skilled medical billing and coding professionals in California continues to grow. With NCC’s 8-month online program, you can be working in a medical office by this time next year, learning a stable income in an office-based healthcare career with no patient care required.
Our Campus:
National Career College 14355 Roscoe Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402
While the program is 100% online, you’re welcome to visit our campus.
We serve students throughout California.
Call us at 888-988-2301 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all coursework is delivered online through Canvas LMS. You'll complete a 205-hour externship at a medical facility near you in California, which NCC coordinates. The externship is the only in-person component and gives you valuable hands-on experience. No. The program includes three comprehensive medical terminology modules that teach you everything you need to know, starting from the basics and building to advanced terminology for all body systems. Medical coding involves reviewing patient records and assigning standardized diagnosis codes (ICD-10-CM) and procedure codes (CPT) to document what was done. Medical billing uses those codes to prepare and submit insurance claims for payment. You'll learn BOTH skills, making you more valuable to employers. You'll work at a real medical office, billing department, clinic, or hospital under supervision, applying your billing, coding, and office skills with actual patient records and insurance claims. This hands-on experience bridges classroom learning with real-world practice and often leads to job offers. Yes. Our Career Services team provides resume assistance, interview preparation, job search support, and employer connections. Many of our graduates receive job offers from their externship sites or through employers we work with throughout California. Is this program completely online?
Do I need to know medical terminology before starting?
What's the difference between medical billing and medical coding?
What happens during the 205-hour externship?
Will NCC help me find a job after graduation?
Learn More About Medical Office Specialist Careers
Explore our Medical Office Specialist blogs for salary guides, career pathways, skills development, and everything you need to know about building your medical office career in California.
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