Top 11 Medical Certifications You Can Earn in a Year (or Less)

When you think about the medical field, the obvious occupations that come to mind are doctor or nurse. Not everyone has the desire or the means to seek out these careers, however. The good news is that the world of healthcare is ever-evolving, and the career options are nearly endless! This guide will provide you with information on eleven different healthcare certifications you can earn in a year or less. You’ll learn about different jobs and, most importantly, the salaries that come with them.

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1. Certified EKG Technician (CET)

The heart is one of the most important vessels we have, so it’s no surprise the ability to perform electrocardiograms can get people far. Those with the CET certification under their belt are in great shape to move on to rewarding, lucrative careers that are in high demand. Becoming a Certified EKG Technician can allow you to have a career in healthcare, working directly with patients, without dedicating years to school.

EKG Technician

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 8 months

Average salary: $63,020

What do the experts say? “EKG tech is popular with individuals who don’t want to have to draw blood or give shots. A lot of EKG Techs are people who want to get into patient care, but don’t want to do everything a medical assistant does.” –Daisy Manteris, Allied Health instructor and combat medic

Is this job in demand? Yes! This job is projected to have a 10% growth over the next decade.

Pros:

• Great salary
• Career advancement opportunities

Cons:

• Can be high stress
• Potential to work nights and weekends

Learn more: How to Become an EKG Technician: Salary & Career Guide

2. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

There are multiple careers you can seek when you earn a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification! Some careers pay more than others, but they all can give you valuable skills to take with you as you move through your healthcare career. In addition to becoming a medical office manager, a CMAA could also help you start a career as a medical administrative assistant. Some trainings may also prepare you to become a medical office manager by preparing you to earn additional certifications, such as CEHRS and CBCS, that are valuable to potential employers.

Medical Office Manager

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 8 months

Average salary: $52,257

What do the experts say? “The CMAA certification is a good option for those looking to work or manage the front office or administrative functions of a medical office. Many employers look for candidates to be certified to show proof of skills, competencies, and knowledge of the critical administrative functions of healthcare facilities, such as scheduling, managing patient medical records, inventory management, and billing.” –Jaime Nguyen, MD, MPH, MS, Director of Healthcare Programs at the Penn Foster Group

Is this job in demand? While its outlook isn’t the best on this list, this career can be a great way to get your foot in the door of the medical field.

Pros:

• Great salary
• Always in demand

Cons:

• Often requires experience and multiple certifications
• Can be high stress

Learn more: Medical Office Manager Certification Program

Medical Administrative Assistant

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 8 months

Average salary: $38,500

Is this job in demand? There are currently 682,630 positions in this field, offering opportunities to find an entry-level job.

Pros:

• Career advancement opportunities
• Exposure to different computer programs and systems, including EHR

Cons:

• May have to deal with upset clients at times
• Can be high stress

Learn more: Medical Administrative Assistant Certification Program Description

3. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

If you’re one who likes a busy work day, the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification might be for you! A great career to seek with this certification is that of a medical assistant, a job that’s high in both responsibility and reward.

Medical Assistant

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $38,270

Is this job in demand? Yes! This career has a great outlook with 14% growth over the next decade!

Pros:

• Well-rounded responsibilities (both clinical and administrative)
• CCMA certification pairs well with certifications for EKG technician (CET) and phlebotomy technician (CPT)

Cons:

• Can be high stress
• Potential to work nights and weekends

Read more: How to Become a Medical Assistant (Infographic)

4. Physical Therapy Technician Certification (PTTC)

The PTTC is a very specific certification. Those who seek out this certification are often very passionate about their work and the field they’re in. Becoming a physical therapy aide is a great way to get your foot in the door of the physical therapy world!

Physical Therapy Aide

Certifying organization: American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

Training timeframe: 8 months

Average salary: $57,240

Is this job in demand? Yes! This career is predicted to grow up to 19% by 2032!

Pros:

• Potential for flexible work hours
• Career advancement opportunities

Cons:

• License does not carry over state to state
• Can be physically demanding

Learn more: Physical Therapy Aide Program Description

5. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

The CEHRS is one of the most versatile healthcare certifications you can get! There are several jobs you can get with this one, and while some require multiple certifications, the CEHRS is a great place to start! Careers you can seek as a CEHRS are Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist and Medical Records Specialist.

Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $47,180

What do the experts say? “The CEHRS certification is an excellent choice for those looking to enter the healthcare field. Patient health records document information on diagnoses, lab tests, treatments, insurance information, and communication between the patient and provider. Understanding how to manage health records is critical to ensuring quality patient care. Having this certification shows employers you have the skills and knowledge to properly manage patient health records for healthcare facilities.” – Jaime Nguyen, MD, MPH, MS, Director of Healthcare Programs at the Penn Foster Group

Is this job in demand? Yes! The projected growth of this career is 8% over the next 8 years.

Pros:

• Plenty of work from home opportunities
• Job stability and demand

Cons:

• Must stay up to date with ever-changing medical standards
• No patient interaction

Learn more: Healthcare Documentation Specialist Certification Program Description

Medical Records Specialist

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 4 months

Average salary: $47,180

Is this job in demand? Yes! This job is predicted to grow about 8% by 2032!

Pros:

• Short training time
• Healthy work/life balance

Cons:

• Limited patient interaction
• Can be high stress

Learn more: Medical Records Specialist Program Description

In addition to these careers, the CEHRS can also help you get a job as a medical administrative assistant and a medical office manager.

6. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

The CPC certification is a great one to start out your career in the medical field! Careers that require this certification are often essential and jobs are in high demand. A great career to look into when getting the CPC certification is medical billing and coding professional!

Medical Billing and Coding Professional

Certifying organization: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

Training timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $47,180

What do the experts say? “Medical Billers and Coders love learning, puzzles, problem-solving, and winning the game. Having your certifications shows you are knowledgeable, thus making you qualified to handle the role in any medical facility.” – Diana Murphy, Healthcare Programs Instructor, MSM, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CCA

Is this job in demand? Yes! There’s an 8% projected growth for this career in the next 8 years!

Pros:

• Great introduction to the healthcare field
• Plenty of work from home opportunities

Cons:

• Work can be monotonous
• Must stay up to date with ever-changing medical standards

Learn more: Medical Billing and Coding Job Duties, Requirements, and Salaries

7. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

If you’ve ever been interested in working in a dental office, the CDA is the certification for you! Our teeth are very important to us, so the more people with the CDA certification on their resume, the better! You can work as a dental assistant without passing the CDA exam and becoming a Certified Dental Assistant, but becoming certified can help your application stand out in a competitive job market.

Dental Assistant

Certifying organization: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

Training timeframe: 12 months*

Average salary: $44,820

What do the experts say? “The CDA certification is one of the most common ways to earn a dental assisting certification. Since it is a national certification, many states recognize the CDA certification and CDAs may practice in any state that accepts the dental assisting certification, which makes this credential more transferable. To advance to becoming a registered dental assistant, some states require dental assistants to first become CDAs before they can pursue state licensure.” – Jaime Nguyen, MD, MPH, MS, Director of Healthcare Programs at the Penn Foster Group

Is this job in demand? Yes! The growth for this career is projected to be 7% over the next 8 years.

Note: training can be completed in less than a year; however, due to work experience hours involved, earning a CDA can take longer than a year.

Pros:

• Fast-paced environment
• Always in demand

Cons:

• Must stay up to date on tools and products
• Can be physically demanding

Learn more: Dental Assistant Program Outline

8. American Association of Psychiatric Technicians Level 1 (AAPT-Level 1)

Mental health may be more prioritized now than ever. The stigmas that used to surround mental health are slowly but surely being dismantled, which makes the AAPT-Level 1 a great certification if you envision yourself being part of that world. Becoming a mental health technician or a Behavioral and Psychiatric Health Technician are great options for those seeking this certification!

Mental Health Technician

Certifying organization: American Association of Psychiatric Technicians

Training timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $37,330

Is this job in demand? Yes! There’s a projected 9% growth in this career over the next 8 years!

Pros:

• Work environment flexibility
• Growing field

Cons:

• Potential to work nights and weekends
• Can be mentally draining

Learn more: Mental Health Technician Training Program Description

Behavioral and Psychiatric Health Technician

Certifying organization: American Association of Psychiatric Technicians

Training timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $37,330

Is this job in demand? Yes! This career is projected to grow 9% over the next 8 years!

Pros:

• Potential to work from home
• Growing field

Cons:

• Potential to work nights and weekends
• Can be physically demanding

Read more: Behavioral Health Technician Training Outline

9. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

The pharmaceutical industry is a stable one that’s always in demand. The CPhT is a great certification for those looking for a career in an essential field with a promising future, and becoming a pharmacy technician can be a great option!

Pharmacy Technician

Certifying organization: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

Training Timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $37,790

Is this job in demand? Yes! This career is predicted to grow about 6% by 2032.

Pros:

• Growing field
• Career advancement opportunities

Cons:

• Can be physically demanding
• Potential to work nights and weekends

Learn more: Pharmacy Technician Program Description

10. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

Bloodwork is one of the biggest ways to indicate health issues a person may have, so having people to draw blood is so important. If you don’t have a squeamish side, becoming a phlebotomy technician may be for you!

Phlebotomy Technician

Certifying organization: National Healthcareer Association

Training timeframe: 8 months

Average salary: $38,530

Is this job in demand? Yes! There is an 8% projected growth for this career.

Pros:

• Critical role in patient care
• High demand

Cons:

• Potential to work nights and weekends
• Can be emotionally draining

Read more: The Value of Soft Skills in Healthcare

11. Computer Technology Industry Association A+ (CompTIA A+)

The CompTIA A+ certification is an interesting one! While the other certifications we’ve listed are clearly related to the medical field, this one’s appearance on this list may seem like a bit of a headscratcher. It turns out there are some careers that combine the skills required in the healthcare field with the skills required in the Information Technology (IT) field, and that’s where the CompTIA A+ comes in! If both of these fields interest you, consider a career in healthcare IT.

Healthcare IT

Certifying organization: Computer Technology Industry Association

Training timeframe: 12 months

Average salary: $59,660

Is this job in demand? Yes! While not a large increase, this career is projected to grow about 5% over the next 8 years.

Pros:

• Great salary
• High demand

Cons:

• Potential to work nights and weekends
• Can be high stress

Learn more: Healthcare IT Certification Program Description

Pick the medical certification that’s right for you!

Any of these healthcare certifications can help you prepare to take the next steps toward a great career, and sometimes even multiple careers. While some pay more than others, they’re all rewarding in different ways. If career advancement is important to you, there are some great options on this list!

For those looking to start their career sooner rather than later, the good news is that the training for all of these certifications only take a year or less to complete! Learn more about CareerStep certifications to help you start a new career, earn a promotion, or earn more.