MEDICAL ASSISTING

Medical Assisting

Career and Technical Education Programs

Application Window: January 12, 2026 through May 11, 2026
Program Start: Fall 2026

Indian River State College offers a number of different degrees and certificates leading to professional licensure in the state of Florida.  Some professions require both a degree and the successful completion of additional criteria such as licensure exams, field placements, or clinical hours. Student eligibility to apply to sit for the Medical Assisting Certification in the State of Florida is defined in F.S., 458.3485 and also requires possession of a valid form of identification. Please visit the Florida Senate website to ensure your eligibility.

Completion of the Medical Assisting requirements makes you eligible to apply to take the Certified Medical Assisting (CMA) exam in Florida.

If you may reside outside of Florida after graduation, Indian River State College cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for professional licensure/certification in your state. Some states have requirements in addition to the program’s curriculum.  If you wish to take the Certified Medical Assisting (CMA) exam in another state, contact the regulator of professions and occupations in that state to determine whether this degree will meet their licensure requirements.

Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure Table for Medical Assistant

Turn Caring into Your Career
Get ready to join one of the fastest-growing careers in the healthcare field with our Medical Assisting program. This full-time, one-year (1300 clock-hour) certificate program will prepare you for specific clinical, laboratory and administrative roles as a Medical Assistant. You might work in a physician’s office, clinic or other health care setting.

Our program, which has a selective admissions process, combines classroom theory and clinical practice. You’ll learn to perform a wide range of tasks ranging from examination room techniques to assisting with minor surgery, administering medications, educating patients and performing diagnostic procedures including drawing blood and electrocardiography. You’ll also be prepared to schedule appointments, maintain patient files and complete insurance forms.

You will get hands-on experience to make you job-ready upon completion of the program. This includes a supervised, uncompensated internship in a physician’s office or other appropriate facility.

Students who enroll in the full-time day program attend classes Monday through Friday, approximately 6 to 8 hours a day. The 170-hour mandatory clinical rotation is held during daytime hours only.

At the end of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Certification Examination to earn the CMA (AAMA) credential. Our program boasts a higher-than-average pass rate, so you can be confident in the skills and knowledge you gain at the River.

Accreditation
The Indian River State College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Additional Program Information:

• Click Here to register for a Mandatory In-Person Info Session
• Medical Assisting Program Expenses
• Medical Assisting Program Graduate Outcomes
• Medical Assisting Program Student Handbook
• Occupational Risks
• Health Science Physical Examination and Immunization Form
• Background Check and Drug Screening Requirements
• Health Sciences Division Handbook
• Post Exposure Protocol
• CPR Training
• Report Accident (Incident) Form
• AG Student Accident Claim Form
• Liability/Accident Insurance Coverage
• Insurance Procedures
• Allied Health Program Overview