Medical Assistant / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Medical Assistant License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Performs clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices.

What the Washington data shows for Medical Assistants

Washington's path to medical assistant licensure runs through 1,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Washington folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Certificate/Degree".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Washington, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Washington handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Medical Assistant · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Certificate/Degree
1,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Medical Assistant All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Medical Assistant in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 1000 hours of education or training, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Medical Assistant in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed medical assistant in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements including 1000 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Medical Assistant license to Washington from another state? ▼
Washington evaluates out-of-state medical assistant licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the Washington licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Washington require a background check for Medical Assistant licensing? ▼
Yes, Washington requires a criminal background check as part of the medical assistant licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this medical assistant license

Medical Assistant in Washington is one requirement row in a medical assistant-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.