Medical Assistant in Arkansas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Arkansas
To become a Medical Assistant in Arkansas, individuals are not required to obtain a state license from the Arkansas State Medical Board. However, employers strongly prefer and often require graduation from an accredited medical assisting program and national certification. Key steps include completing a high school diploma or GED, enrolling in an accredited medical assisting program (typically 4-24 months), and passing a national certification exam such as the CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA). While there is no state reciprocity for licensure, national certifications are widely recognized.
Medical Assistant Requirements in Arkansas
| Detail | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arkansas State Medical Board |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited medical assisting program is strongly preferred by employers and may be required for national certification. |
| Exam | National certification exams (e.g., CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA)) are not state-mandated but are industry standard. ($120) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Medical assistants in Arkansas are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician. Employers typically require graduation from an accredited program and national certification. Some programs may have age requirements (e.g., over 18), background checks, and health screenings. |
Source: Arkansas State Medical Board
Medical Assistant Salary in Arkansas
The median medical assistant salary in Arkansas is $37,150 per year, which is 16.0% below the national median of $44,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $30,620 |
| 25th | $34,910 |
| 50th (median) | $37,150 |
| 75th | $40,140 |
| 90th (experienced) | $45,750 |
Arkansas employs approximately 4,990 medical assistants.
Medical Assistant Job Outlook
AI Impact on Medical Assistants
Low AI Exposure (Score: 0.15/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Medical Assistant in Arkansas Worth It?
Factors to consider: Arkansas's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.