Externships Explained: Do You Need One to Become a Medical Assistant?

Introduction: Training vs. Experience

Earning your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential prepares you with knowledge and skills, but many students ask: “Do I also need an externship to get hired?”

The answer depends on your goals and your program. While externships are not required to become certified, they are a powerful way to gain real-world experience and stand out to employers. At Clinical Skills Institute (CSI), externships are included as part of our student support system, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in actual clinical settings.

What is a Medical Assistant Externship?

An externship is a short-term, hands-on training placement at a healthcare facility where students:

• Shadow and assist working medical assistants.

• Practice taking vital signs, documenting patient histories, and preparing exam rooms.

• Build confidence working with patients and providers.

Externships usually last a few weeks and serve as a bridge between the classroom and the workplace.

Do You Need an Externship to Get Certified?

No—externships are not required to sit for or pass the NHA CCMA exam. You can become certified without one.

However, externships are highly recommended because they:

• Give you real-world experience that employers value.

• Help you network with potential future employers.

• Provide material for letters of recommendation or references.

• Can often lead directly to job offers.

CSI’s Externship Advantage

At CSI, we don’t just train you for the exam—we prepare you for your career. Our $900 tuition includes support to help students secure externships with:

• Clinics

• Urgent care centers

• Physician practices

• Outpatient facilities

This experience allows you to graduate with both certification and practical skills—a combination employers love.

How Externships Help Your Career Long-Term

• Boosts your resume: Employers know you’re not just trained, but practiced.

• Strengthens your confidence: Working with real patients eliminates first-day jitters.

• Opens career pathways: Externships let you explore specialties like pediatrics, OB/GYN, or cardiology.

Who Should Consider an Externship?

• New graduates who want hands-on practice before applying for jobs.

• Career changers transitioning into healthcare with no prior experience.

• Pre-med students seeking meaningful patient exposure before medical school.

Conclusion: Externships Can Be the Key to Standing Out

While not required for certification, externships are one of the smartest ways to gain experience, confidence, and job opportunities as a new medical assistant.

👉 With CSI’s affordable $900 CCMA program, you’ll not only get nationally recognized certification but also externship support to help you launch your career with confidence.

Enroll today at Clinical Skills Institute and start your journey from training to real-world healthcare experience.