Medical assistant programs in Virginia Beach include short clinical courses and associate degrees, with more campus options across Hampton Roads. You can compare published tuition, lab time and certification preparation before choosing medical assistant classes that fit your week.
Short hybrid courseTidewater Medical Training: 15 weeks
Associate degree lengthECPI: 15 months
State medical assistant licenseVirginia does not require one
Public adult training priceAdult Learning Center: $2,599
Medical assistant schools around Virginia Beach
These schools list clinical medical assistant training at local sites, including hybrid courses with in-person practice. Blank cells mean the cited page does not publish that detail; confirm the next cohort and a written total before you apply.
16 local programs listed
School
Program
Credential
Length
Schedule
Cost
Virginia Beach City Public Schools Adult Learning CenterVirginia Beach, VA
Fall 2026 catalog; screening and immunization costs extra. Confirm the NHA exam name with the school.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00 AM-12:30 PM or 6:00 PM-9:30 PM
$2,599; additional $12 course fee for non-Virginia Beach residents
Tidewater Community CollegeVirginia Beach, VA
Registration closes October 30, 2026. Includes textbook, NHA CCMA exam and practice exams, BLS, OSHA and HIPAA certifications; review the full cohort schedule.
Hampton cohort at Peninsula Workforce Development Center. Includes required textbook, workbook, study guide and one NHA CCMA exam voucher; mandatory orientation applies.
Medical Assistant with Limited Scope Radiologic Technology
Diploma
15 months
Day: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; night: 4:30 PM-11:30 PM
2023-24 chart: $27,840 tuition; $28,422 tuition and fees
Virginia Beach campuses first, then nearby cities. Details come from each school's website; costs and start dates change, so confirm with the school.
Medical assistant schools near Virginia Beach: campus details
Virginia Beach City Public Schools Adult Learning Center Virginia Beach, VA
The Adult Learning Center course covers patient preparation, laboratory procedures, phlebotomy and vital signs through classroom instruction and hands-on labs.
Program
Clinical Medical Assistant
Credential
Certification preparation
Length
140 classroom hours + 160-hour externship
Schedule
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00 AM-12:30 PM or 6:00 PM-9:30 PM
Published cost
$2,599; additional $12 course fee for non-Virginia Beach residents
The Chesapeake limited-scope radiology diploma combines medical assisting with radiation protection, image production and equipment operation coursework.
Program
Medical Assistant with Limited Scope Radiologic Technology
Credential
Diploma
Length
15 months
Schedule
Day: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; night: 4:30 PM-11:30 PM
Published cost
2023-24 chart: $27,840 tuition; $28,422 tuition and fees
Bryant & Stratton lists medical laboratory, pharmacology, electronic records and medical assisting internship courses in the degree offered at Hampton.
At Newport News, medical assistant students study electronic health records, telephone communication and client relationships as part of medical office procedures.
Program
Medical Assistant
Credential
Diploma
Length
12 months; 48 weeks
Schedule
Day: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; night: 4:30 PM-11:30 PM
Published cost
2023-24 chart: $20,880 tuition; $21,646 tuition and fees
The Newport News radiology track includes separate capstone courses for medical assistant certification preparation and Virginia radiologic technologist licensure preparation.
Program
Medical Assistant with Limited Scope Radiologic Technology
Credential
Diploma
Length
15 months
Schedule
Day: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; night: 4:30 PM-11:30 PM
Published cost
2023-24 chart: $27,840 tuition; $28,422 tuition and fees
Virginia does not require a medical assistant license or state certification. National exam credentials are separate; the College of Southern Nevada's state disclosure lists Virginia as not requiring licensure or certification.
2
Choose your course and exam
Match the training to the credential you want. ECPI names CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT), while Fortis Norfolk prepares students for NHA's CCMA exam.
3
Check the entry requirements
Review health and education requirements before paying a deposit. Sentara's certificate requires a high school diploma or GED, age 18 before classes, and algebra and biological science coursework.
4
Complete labs and clinical practice
Plan time for patient-care practice outside class. Fortis includes an unpaid externship during typical office hours, which can fall outside the morning classroom schedule.
5
Confirm testing and extra permissions
Check which exam fees your tuition covers. If you want X-ray duties, review Centura's limited-scope radiology track and its separate preparation for Virginia Board of Medicine radiologic technologist licensure.
Medical assistant jobs and pay in Hampton Roads
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 3,040 medical assistants employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area in May 2025. The median wage was $20.97 per hour or $43,620 per year, according to the BLS OEWS metro table. The annual mean wage was $42,400.
Use these regional figures when you compare training costs and job offers. Ask a school which clinical skills you will practice and which certification exams its course supports. When reviewing an offer, ask about paid hours, benefits, clinical duties and any required credentials before comparing the pay with these figures.
TCC describes grants covering up to two-thirds of eligible course costs, subject to funds. Bryant & Stratton uses FAFSA for federal aid eligibility and describes GI Bill benefits. The ALC catalog identifies WIOA support through Virginia Career Works Norfolk Center. Confirm eligibility and your full bill before paying.
Do medical assistants need a Virginia state license?
Virginia does not require a state medical assistant license or certification, according to the state-by-state disclosure from the College of Southern Nevada. You can still choose training that prepares you for a national credential. Ask the school and prospective employers which credential fits the role you want, especially if the job includes additional technical duties.
How long are local medical assistant programs?
The published lengths vary by award and course format. Quick Flow lists a 10-week, 120-hour course. Tidewater Medical Training lists a 15-week hybrid course, while ECPI lists a 15-month associate degree. Compare the clinical hours and exam preparation along with the calendar, and ask whether breaks or placement dates change your finish date.
What is the difference between CMA, RMA and CCMA preparation?
These are different national credential routes. ECPI names the Certified Medical Assistant exam through AAMA and Registered Medical Assistant exam through AMT. Fortis Norfolk names the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam through NHA. Ask which exam your specific program supports, when you become eligible and whether the school includes the application and testing fee.
Can I attend medical assistant school while working?
You have some daytime and evening choices. The Adult Learning Center catalog lists morning and evening classroom sections, and Centura lists day and night courses. Your clinical schedule may differ from classroom hours: Fortis says its externship runs during typical office hours. Get both schedules before deciding how much time you can keep at work.
Does medical assistant training cover limited-scope radiology?
Some programs do, but check the exact track. Centura's Medical Assistant with Limited Scope Radiologic Technology diploma adds X-ray coursework to medical assisting. The school says one capstone prepares students for medical assistant certification and another for radiologic technologist licensure with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Ask which exam, license and imaging duties the program prepares you for.