Medical assistant programs in Sacramento combine patient care skills with office training at local colleges, adult schools and career campuses. You can compare class formats, externship hours and published prices before choosing a program that fits your work schedule.
California licenseMedical assistants are unlicensed; required task training still applies.
Public college routeSierra: fall and spring coursework, then a 160-hour summer externship.
Short adult courseSan Juan: 15 weeks, excluding externship, starting March 1, 2027.
Local median pay$29.79/hour, Sacramento metro, BLS May 2025.
Medical assistant training around Sacramento
These local programs cover medical assisting, including tracks that add phlebotomy or limited X-ray training. The check line names institutional accreditation or a relevant CDPH or BPPE approval source; school statements are labeled, and certificate and degree routes have separate rows.
Prerequisites and a separate program application apply. College FAQ states: "The program does not hold individual programmatic accreditation"; ACCJC accreditation covers the college.
The degree adds general education and electives to medical assisting coursework. CRC states that its program does not hold individual programmatic accreditation.
CALRegional provides the course and national CMAC exam. CAJ lists a 40-hour externship; CALRegional lists 160 hours, so confirm the requirement for your cohort.
October 5, 2026 cohort listed. Requires separate unpaid medical assisting and phlebotomy externships of 160 and 40 hours. Campus also appears on CDPH's approved phlebotomy school list.
The current Sacramento blended curriculum includes a 180-hour externship. The 2026 catalog lists Sacramento among campuses offering this program to new students.
November 23, 2026 start listed; the catalog requires a 250-hour externship. BPPE approval through February 28, 2027 means compliance with state standards.
School statement describes Sacramento as one of the "accredited branches of the Fremont main campus" recognized by ACCSC. The program includes a supervised externship; starts are offered twice monthly.
Monthly starts; office provides current dates. The page lists a 160-hour externship and inconsistent overall hour totals, so request the full calendar. CTI does not accept FAFSA/Pell funding.
Mandatory orientation and entrance exam on February 5 precede admission. Externship placement is optional for students who qualify; a diploma or equivalent and other entry checks apply.
ACCET lists NCE as the Citrus Heights branch of Institute for Business & Technology, with accreditation expiring April 15, 2027. Includes a 160-hour externship and NCMA preparation.
CALRegional lists this cohort as hybrid; Roseville Adult School describes in-person delivery. Confirm the format and exam, since the two pages name different certifications.
October 19, 2026 cohort listed. Catalog completion dates conflict with the 39-week overview; externship references show both 160 and 180 hours. Request a written calendar.
CDPH lists the Roseville school for limited-permit X-ray training, list updated November 20, 2025. Supplement A lists a March 8, 2027 start and May 24, 2028 completion.
CMAC exam preparation and a 160-hour externship are included. The live enrollment calendar extends beyond the advertised 8-10 weeks; request the full training calendar.
Folsom Cordova Adult School / CALRegional Rancho Cordova, CA
CALRegional administers Rancho Cordova medical assistant training with Folsom Cordova Adult School, combining remote instruction with local practical work.
Decide which credential you want before choosing classes. AAMA lists several CMA exam eligibility routes, including accredited-program and alternative pathways; a school certificate alone does not settle eligibility.
2
Check the entry requirements
Compare prerequisites and admission steps. CRC's catalog requires prior coursework and a separate application, while Unitek's Sacramento page lists a diploma or GED, entrance assessments and an admissions meeting.
3
Review the whole calendar
Include the clinical placement in your plan. Sierra places its externship after fall and spring coursework; Campus includes a four-week unpaid externship in its published program lengths.
4
Complete required practical training
Finish the hands-on instruction needed for your assigned tasks. The Medical Board requires specific training before medical assistants perform procedures such as injections or blood draws under supervision.
Medical assistant jobs and wages in the Sacramento metro
BLS May 2025 OEWS data report 7,410 medical assistant jobs (SOC 31-9092) in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area. The median wage was $29.79 per hour, or $61,970 annually. The BLS tables page identifies May 2025 as the latest release.
These figures describe jobs across the metro, rather than entry-level offers from one clinic. BLS defines the median as the midpoint of workers' wages and counts employment separately from job openings. Use the regional pay figures when weighing tuition and time away from work. When you speak with an employer, ask about starting pay, weekly hours and the credential it accepts.
Published medical assistant tuition and funding
Published prices cover different items. San Juan's 2026/27 course costs $1,725 before books, scrubs, CPR and exam fees. EGACE lists $5,000 with supplies and one NCCT exam. Campus publishes $14,940 tuition and $16,680 with books and supplies. NCE's 2026 catalog lists $14,131 tuition and $14,458 total for starts on or after February 1. Request an itemized bill, including clinical screening costs.
Ask the financial aid office about FAFSA and Pell eligibility. NCE offers federal aid to qualifying students; EGACE's CTI program does not accept FAFSA/Pell funding. A Sacramento Works Job Center coach can check WIOA training eligibility before you commit. For military benefits, review GI Bill rules and the exact program's VA eligibility. You can also ask your healthcare employer about tuition assistance and request written terms.
California's Medical Board describes medical assistants as unlicensed workers who provide routine support under supervision. A state-issued medical assistant license is not required. You still need the training required for the tasks you perform, and the supervisor must be on the premises for technical support services. Ask employers which additional credentials they request.
How long are medical assistant programs in Sacramento?
The calendar depends on the course and its clinical placement. NCE lists as few as nine months, including a 160-hour externship. Sierra schedules fall and spring coursework followed by a summer externship. Short adult-school courses can list classroom time separately, so ask for the last externship date as well as the final class date.
Is a school certificate the same as CMA certification?
A completion certificate and a certification exam are separate steps. AAMA sets eligibility for its CMA credential, including an alternative pathway for qualifying education. Local schools also name other exams: Sierra identifies RMA, and Campus identifies NCMA. Ask which exam your course supports, what documents are needed and whether the fee is included.
Can I study medical assisting in the evening?
NCE's Citrus Heights program offers day and evening classes, Monday through Thursday, with in-classroom or hybrid delivery. EGACE also publishes an evening hybrid option. Before you choose an evening course, request the lab dates and the full externship schedule. A class label alone does not tell you when every required placement hour occurs.
Are lower-cost public programs available locally?
Yes. CRC's 2026-27 resident enrollment fee is $46 per unit, with other required charges. San Juan publishes a $1,725 course price that excludes textbooks, scrubs, CPR and test fees. Compare the complete bill and entry requirements before deciding. Per-unit tuition and a packaged course price include different items and cannot be compared as total program costs.