Industry Recognized Credentials for Medical Assisting

Essential Safety IRC(s)

For this program area, students must (1) be prepared to take and (2) be provided with an opportunity to achieve at least one of the listed Essential Safety Credentials.

CertificationCertifying OrganizationPostsecondary
OSHA 10 Hour General Industry CertificationOSHA
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) CertificationAmerican Red Cross
First Aid CertificationAmerican Red Cross
Basic Life Support CertificationAmerican Red Cross
Basic Life Support CertificationAmerican Heart Association

Essential Industry IRC(s)

All programs must (1) prepare all students in the program to take, and (2) provide an opportunity for them to achieve, at least one essential credential.

    Credentials on the essential list are included based on the following criteria:
    1. The certification must have high-value currency in the market, which can be gained through various processes including transparency initiatives, general awareness, endorsements and validations, regulations, hiring policies and practices, and/or procedures that can be used to translate the credential into academic credit.
    2. Must lead to improved hiring outcomes and/or increased earnings for students who attain the credential.
    3. Credentials required for employment in program field must be included.
CertificationCertifying OrganizationPostsecondary
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)National Healthcareer Association

Supplemental IRC(s)

Programs may choose to differentiate and expand upon their program by offering additional credentials.

Credentials listed as Supplemental/Specialized may include:

  1. Credentials that are endorsed by local or regional industry associations or workforce boards.
  2. Must be attainable for students in the program who master the competencies outlined in the relevant Career Technical Education Framework such as an advanced/stacked credential above the essentials.
  3. May be equipment, tool, software or process specific if valued by industry.
CertificationCertifying OrganizationPostsecondary
Advanced Medical Life SupportNational Association Of Emergency Medical TechniciansX
Certified Alzheimer Caregiver (CAC)National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care
Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Anesthesia and Pain Management CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Billing and Coding SpecialistNational Healthcareer Association
Certified Cardiology CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Cardiovascular and Thoracic SurgeryAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Chiropractic Professional CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Clinical Hemodialysis TechnicianNephrology Nursing Certification CommissionX
Certified Clinical Transplant CoordinatorsOrganization for Transplant ProfessionalsX
Certified Coding AssociateAmerican Health Information Management AssociationX
Certified Coding SpecialistAmerican Health Information Management AssociationX
Certified Coding Specialist--Physician-basedAmerican Health Information Management AssociationX
Certified Colon Hydrotherapist - AdvancedInternational Association for Colon HydrotherapyX
Certified Colon Hydrotherapist - FoundationInternational Association for Colon HydrotherapyX
Certified Colon Hydrotherapist - IntermediateInternational Association for Colon HydrotherapyX
Certified Emergency Department CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified ENT CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Evaluation and Management CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Family Practice CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Gastroenterology CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified General Surgery CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Healthcare Access AssociateNational Association of Healthcare Access ManagementX
Certified Healthcare Access ManagerNational Association of Healthcare Access ManagementX
Certified Hematology and Oncology CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Internal Medicine CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Medical Administrative AssistantNational Healthcareer Association
Certified Medical AssistantAmerican Association of Medical AssistantsX
Certified Medical CoderPractice Management InstituteX
Certified Medical Compliance OfficerPractice Management InstituteX
Certified Medical Insurance SpecialistPractice Management InstituteX
Certified Medical Reimbursement SpecialistAmerican Medical Billing AssociationX
Certified Obstetrics Gynecology CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Ophthalmic AssistantJoint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in OphthalmologyX
Certified Orthopaedic Surgery CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Outpatient CodingAmerican Academy of Professional Coders
Certified Patient Care Technician/AssistantNational Healthcareer Association
Certified Pediatrics CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Procurement Transplant CoordinatorOrganization for Transplant ProfessionalsX
Certified Professional CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Professional Coder in DermatologyAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Radiology CoderRadiology Coding Certification BoardX
Certified Rheumatology CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Specialist in Trauma RegistriesAmerican Trauma SocietyX
Certified Urology CoderAmerican Academy of Professional CodersX
Certified Wound Care AssociateAmerican Board of Wound ManagementX
Clinical Medical Assistant CertificationAmerican Medical Certification AssociationX
Clinical Research AssistantAmerican Phlebotomy Association
Corporate Certified Ophthalmic AssistantJoint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in OphthalmologyX
EKG TechnicianAmerican Phlebotomy Association
Functional Training Specialty CertificationAmerican Council on ExerciseX
Home Care Clinical Specialist - OASISBoard of Medical Specialty Coding and ComplianceX
Home Care Coding Specialist - DiagnosisBoard of Medical Specialty Coding and ComplianceX
Home Care Coding Specialist - HospiceBoard of Medical Specialty Coding and ComplianceX
Medical Administrative SpecialistAmerican Medical TechnologistsX
Medical Assistant CertificationAmerican Education Certification AssociationX
Medical Assistant CertificationAmerican Medical Certification AssociationX
Medical Coder & Biller CertificationAmerican Medical Certification Association
Medical Laboratory AssistantAmerican Phlebotomy AssociationX
Medication Aide CertificationNational Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.X
Nationally Certified Insurance and Coding SpecialistNational Center for Competency TestingX
Nationally Certified Medical AssistantNational Center for Competency Testing
Nationally Certified Medical Office AssistantNational Center for Competency Testing
Nationally Certified Patient Care TechnicianNational Center for Competency Testing
Pathologist Assistant (PA)American Society for Clinical PathologyX
Patient Care TechnicianAmerican Phlebotomy Association
Phlebotomy TechnicianAmerican Phlebotomy Association
Registered Health Information TechnicianAmerican Health Information Management AssociationX
Registered Medical AssistantAmerican Phlebotomy Association