Earn Your California Medical Assistant Diploma with Hands-On Training & Job Support
Ready to launch a rewarding healthcare career in less than a year? National Career College’s Medical Assistant program in California prepares you for a stable, in-demand profession in just 8 months. You’ll master both clinical and administrative skills, earn national certification eligibility, and graduate ready to work in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals across Los Angeles and beyond.
California medical assistants earn competitive salaries with strong job growth projected through 2034. It’s a versatile healthcare career where you can make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives while starting to earn sooner with our accelerated 8-month program.
💡 Get trained, certified, and working in California medical facilities in as little as 8 months. Our graduates are skilled in both front-office and back-office duties, making them highly valuable to employers.
California Medical Assistant Program at a Glance
| Credential | Diploma |
| Program Length | 8 months (includes 205-hour externship) |
| Location | On our campus in Panorama City, Los Angeles, CA |
| Schedule | Day classes (Mon-Thu) Afternoon Classes (Mon-Fri) Evening Hybrid Classes (Mon-Tue in-person, Wed-Thu online) |
| Total Credits | 34.0 semester credit hours |
| Accreditation | ABHES-accredited |
What You’ll Learn in NCC’s California Medical Assistant Program
Our California-approved curriculum prepares you for real medical office environments with comprehensive clinical and administrative training:
Clinical Skills: | Administrative Skills: |
Medical Terminology & Anatomy/Physiology | Medical Office Procedures |
Patient Vitals & Medical History Documentation | Patient Scheduling |
Phlebotomy & Injections | Electronic Health Records Management |
EKG & Cardiopulmonary Procedures | Medical Billing & Insurance Processing |
CLIA-Waived Laboratory Testing | ICD-10 & CPT Coding Basics |
Specimen Collection & Processing | HIPAA Compliance |
Medical Emergencies & First Aid | Patient Communication |
205-Hour Externship: Put your skills to the test in real medical offices with actual patients | |
National Certification Eligibility: Upon graduation, you’re eligible to sit for:
✓ Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through AAMA
✓ National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) through NCCT
👉 Want the complete curriculum breakdown? View our full Course Catalog
Why Choose NCC’s California Program?
- Graduate in 8 Months – Start earning faster with our accelerated timeline
- Dual-Skilled Training – Master both clinical AND administrative tasks
- Hands-On Experience – Practice in fully-equipped medical labs and real healthcare facilities
- 205-Hour Externship – Gain real clinical experience in actual medical offices
- Flexible Scheduling – Choose day or evening classes to fit your life
- National Certification Prep – Curriculum aligns with CMA and NCMA exam content
- Job Placement Support – Resume help, interview prep, and employer connections
- ABHES Accredited – Nationally-recognized, high-quality training
Many Students Receive Job Offers 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 before completing the program.
Admissions Requirements
Getting started at NCC 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)
- Personal interview and campus tour
- $75 registration fee (non-refundable)
Ready to apply? Start Your Application
Program Cost & Financial Aid
| Tuition: | $14,350.00 |
| Materials & Supplies: | $1,550.00 |
| Books & Uniforms: | $375.00 |
| 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 |
💵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.
Ready to Start Your Medical Assistant Career?
The demand for trained medical assistants in California continues to grow. With NCC’s 8-month program, you can be working in a medical office by this time next year—earning a stable income in a versatile healthcare career with strong growth potential.
Our Campus:
National Career College 14355 Roscoe Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402
Convenient location with accessible public transportation and ample parking.
We serve students throughout Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and Southern California.
Call us at 888-988-2301 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM)
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You can begin working immediately after completing your training. However, earning national certification (CMA or NCMA) is highly recommended and preferred by most employers. Our program prepares you for both certification exams. Yes! NCC offers flexible scheduling with day classes or evening classes to accommodate working students. Some medical assistants specialize in clinical tasks (patient care, lab work, injections) or administrative tasks (scheduling, billing, records). However, our program trains you in BOTH, making you more valuable and versatile to employers. You'll work in real medical offices or clinics under supervision, applying your clinical and administrative skills with actual patients. This hands-on experience is where many students receive job offers before graduation. The externship bridges classroom learning with real-world practice, building your confidence and professional network. 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 before even completing the program. Do I need a license or certification to work as a medical assistant in California?
Can I work while attending the program?
What's the difference between clinical and administrative medical assistants?
What happens during the 205-hour externship?
Will NCC help me find a job after graduation?
Learn More About Medical Assisting Careers
Explore our Medical Assistant blogs for salary guides, career insights, training tips, and everything you need to know about becoming a medical assistant in California.
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