Kentucky Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

Students interested in a medical assisting career will find good job opportunities throughout Kentucky. The state’s urban areas offer many clinics, hospitals, and ambulatory centers that may provide job opportunities. The urban area with the best job opportunities include:

• Lexington
• Louisville
• Elizabethtown

There are several colleges to choose from for a medical assisting education in Kentucky. Be sure to meet with several schools to find one that meets your needs. Choosing a school accredited by the AAMA or RMA is preferred, as this allows you to become certified or registered as a medical assistant after graduation.

Kentucky Medical Assistant Certification Requirements

Kentucky does not have any laws which require medical assistants (MAs) to hold any kind of institutionally-recognized credential in order to practice. This contrasts sharply with other entry-level professions in the healthcare field such as practical nurses (LPNs), phlebotomy techs (CPTs), and more, who are required by law to hold formal certifications.

Although compulsory certifications for medical assistants (MAs) presently do not exist, there are two certifications widely recognized which can give those in the profession a competitive edge over their colleagues, increase their earning potential, and enhance their overall career prospects.

Those two certifications are:

1. The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
2. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

Credential 1: AMT’s Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Individuals must satisfy one of the following requirements before they can sit for the certification exam:

• Option I: Complete a college-level medical assistant program that:
  • Has no less than 880 total contact hours: 720 hours of theoretical instruction and 160 hours of supervised clinical training at a doctor’s office or healthcare facility
  • Maintains a regional or national accreditation by an agency which has been approved by one of the following institutions:
    • The US Department of Education
    • The Council for Higher Education Accreditation
    • AMT Board of Directions
  • Option II: Complete a medical assistant program through the US military that:
    • Has at least 880 total hours (like college-level programs): 720 hours of in-class/online theoretical instruction and 160 hours of hands-on clinical training which is supervised by a professional in the field
  • Option III: Prior work experience as a medical assistant
    • Be able to provide proof of having at least 5 years of work experience as a medical assistant, carrying out both clinical and administrative duties, in the last 7 years
  • Option IV: Prior work experience as a medical assistant instructor
    • Be able to provide proof of having at least 5 years of work experience as a medical assistant program instructor OR one year of instructing experience combined with three years of work experience

Credential 2: AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

In order to be eligible to sit for the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential examination, individuals must:

• Complete a medical assistant program which has been accredited by:
  • The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP)
• Medical assistant programs must consist of:
  • Two primary components: theoretical and clinical
  • Coursework that covers topics administrative and clinical topics including pharmacology, office practices, medication administration, clinical and diagnostic procedures, computer competency, medical law U& ethics, and patient relations, just to name a few
• Once certified, CMAs need to renew their credential every 60 months via:
  • Providing proof of having taken a specific number of continuing education credits OR
  • Pass a 200 question recertification exam

List of Kentucky Medical Assisting Programs

1. Bluegrass Community & Technical College

Locations: Lexington

BCTC offers a one-year Diploma in Medical Assisting. Students are admitted to the program after successfully completing an entrance exam and four course prerequisites. Once in the program, students learn a combination of clinical, administrative, laboratory, and limited radiology medical assisting skills. Students must complete the medical assistant program with a 2.0 grade point average or higher to graduate. Graduates are eligible to sit for the certified medical assistant exam through the AAMA after graduation. In addition, BCTC offers alternate certifications such as the Medical Office Clinical Assistant Certificate, Medical Office Administrative Assistant Certificate, and Medical Office Insurance Billing and Coding Certificate.

2. ATA College

Locations: Louisville

ATA College offers a 17-month occupational associate’s degree and a 10-month diploma program. The 17-month degree option also includes certification as a Phlebotomy Technician through the National Health Career Association (NHA). Both programs are available in the morning and evening. The school recommends students meet with a program counselor to discuss details of the program. The program includes a combination of basic and core medical assisting courses. Graduates of both medical assisting programs are eligible for Medical Assistant Certification through the American Association of Medical Assistant (AAMA).

3. Sullivan University

Location: Lexington, Louisville

Sullivan University offers an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting, which can be completed in about 18 months, with 108 credit hours. Prerequisites must be complete before entering the core medical assistant course. Students learn a combination of administrative support skills, clinical, laboratory, and patient care skills. Upon graduation, students may sit for the CMA exam through the AAMA.

4. Jefferson Community & Technical College

Location: Louisville

JCTC prepares students for direct entry employment in a physician’s office or clinical setting with a Diploma of Medical Assisting. The program accepts 20 students per year and encourages students to apply early. Students must meet with a program counselor to discuss specific entrance requirements prior to entry to the program. The program consists of core medical, clinical and administrative procedures. Graduates are eligible to sit for the AAMA certification exam.

5. American National University

Locations: Lexington, Louisville, Pikeville

Medical assistant students at American National University can earn an associate’s degree in the field. The college offers a blended program of clinical, lab, and administrative education. Students are required to complete a clinical externship in a physician’s office prior to graduation. Graduates are eligible to take the registered medical assistant exam (RMA) or the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam.

6. Henderson Community College

Location: Henderson

Henderson Community College offers both a Diploma and an Associate’s degree in Medical Assisting. Students learn standard medical assisting education, including clinical, administrative, and laboratory skills. Additionally, the college offers medical administration, medical insurance coding and billing, and phlebotomy certifications for graduates. Medical assistant graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam through the AAMA.

7. The Medical Institute of Kentucky

Location: Bowling Green

The Medical Institute of Kentucky offers a Clinical Medical Assistant program which can be completed in an in-class or hybrid online format. The program’s duration is 16 weeks and is composed of didactic lecture material, hands-on lab skills, and an 80-hour clinical externship. For those who opt to take the entire course in-class, class times are on Monday and Wednesday from either 8:00am to 12:00pm or from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

8. Kentucky School of Phlebotomy

Kentucky School of Phlebotomy is a medical career training institution that offers students an 11-week Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) program. Classes meet two times per week for four hours. At the end of the first 11 weeks, given that a student has an overall grade of a B or higher, he or she has the option to go on to a three-month clinical externship (CMX). Throughout the course, students are introduced to topics like anatomy and physiology, patient & exam room preparation, EKG administration, HIPAA & Patient’s rights, and much more. The CMA costs a total of $1,800 and the CMX costs $300.

9. Ross Medical Education Center

Location: Bowling Green, Erlanger, Hopkinsville, Owensboro

Ross Medical Education Center is a private, for-profit medical career training institution that offers a Medical Assistant training program. RMEC’s daytime program has a duration of 30 weeks, while its evening program can be completed in 36 weeks. Both programs are composed of six learning modules and a six-week clinical externship. During the program, students are introduced to topics like medical terminology, medical insurance and coding procedures, anatomy, physiology, medical office automation, and more.

Article Written by Rachel Dennis

Rachel Dennis works as both a professional writer and health care provider. She has been a licensed health care provider since 1998, with work experience as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician. She has been writing since 1994 and has been published both on-line and in print.