Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for PA
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, Medical Assistants are not licensed by the state. The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine provides oversight regarding the scope of practice and delegation of tasks to medical assistants, who must work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. While not state-mandated, obtaining a national certification (such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is an industry standard and often a requirement for employment. Education prerequisites typically involve completing an accredited medical assistant program, which can range from 4 to 24 months depending on the program type.
Medical Assistant Requirements in Pennsylvania
| Detail | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (oversight, not licensing) |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent; accredited MA program often required by employers. |
| Exam | National certification (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) is the industry standard; not state-mandated. ($125) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 10.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Medical assistants in Pennsylvania are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician. The delegating physician is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. While not state-mandated, national certification is often required or preferred by employers. Background checks (PA State Police Criminal History, PA State Child Abuse, and DPW FBI Criminal History) and drug screenings may be required by employers or externship facilities. Minimum age is not specified by the state. |
Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (oversight, not licensing)
Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania
The median medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $42,810 per year, which is 3.1% below the national median of $44,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,720 |
| 25th | $37,780 |
| 50th (median) | $42,810 |
| 75th | $46,480 |
| 90th (experienced) | $49,890 |
Pennsylvania employs approximately 23,650 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 Pennsylvania Worth It?
Factors to consider: Pennsylvania's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.