Medical Assistant in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Virginia
In Virginia, Medical Assistants are not licensed by the state and practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. While not legally required, national certification (such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is the industry standard and highly preferred by employers. Aspiring Medical Assistants typically need a high school diploma or GED and should complete an accredited training program to prepare for a national certification exam.
Medical Assistant Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | No state licensing body; Medical Assistants practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program (CAAHEP or ABHES for CMA, or approved training program/one year experience for CCMA) is generally required by employers. |
| Exam | National certification exams (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) are not state-mandated but are industry standard and often required by employers. ($125) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Medical assistants in Virginia are not licensed by the state. They practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician, who is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Most certification bodies require candidates to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs and employers may also require a clean background check, negative Hepatitis and TB tests, and immunization records. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is often a prerequisite for clinical training. Virginia allows delegation of tasks to unlicensed assisting personnel. |
Source: No state licensing body; Medical Assistants practice under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Medical Assistant Salary in Virginia
The median medical assistant salary in Virginia is $42,310 per year, which is 4.3% below the national median of $44,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,040 |
| 25th | $37,380 |
| 50th (median) | $42,310 |
| 75th | $46,060 |
| 90th (experienced) | $48,510 |
Virginia employs approximately 15,990 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 Virginia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.