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Medical Assisting

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SPRING 2026 Program Information

Online Informational Meeting (not required, but highly recommended):

       Tuesday, November 4th at 10:00am - Click ZOOM to attend 

       Meeting ID:  891 8934 5333               Password: 10221260

Documents being reviewed at this meeting will be posted at the bottom of this page.

Application will be posted the morning of the Zoom meeting

PROGRAM INFORMATION: You must be age 18 or older to enroll in the program, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

College of the Redwoods Adult & Community Education offers training to become a Certified Medical Assistant. This is an intensive noncredit program that meets online and in-person, and also includes a 144 hour, unpaid clinical externship at a local healthcare provider’s office. 

The College of the Redwoods Medical Assisting program includes:

  • CPR (BLS) Certification
  • Clinical Experience at a Local Healthcare Facility
  • First Aid
  • Front and Back Office Procedures
  • Principles of Pharmacology
  • Job Preparation Skills
  • Medical Terminology
  • Performing finger-stick lab tests and urinalysis
  • Injections and venipuncture certification
  • National Certified Medical Assistant Exam

Program & Externship Dates: January 20 - May 11, 2026

168 hours lecture, 84 hours lab and 144 hours clinical externship required.

  • Lecture: online, via Zoom; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9a-10a
  • Labs: in person, Mondays and Wednesdays from 9a-5p. Includes some lecture hours

*Although minimal, the class requirements and schedule are subject to change

Next steps after Zoom meeting  (Application packet process) 

Application period is November 4 , 2025 -  December 4, 2025 at 5:00 pm:

  1. Apply to become a College of the Redwoods student (Admissions > Apply (redwoods.edu) If you are currently taking classes, this step is not applicable.
  2. Read / Review Medical Assisting Program Handb0ok (available below)
  3. Complete Medical Assisting Program Application.  ***Application will be posted at the bottom of this page after the Zoom meeting. **
  4. Background check thru CastleBranch (instructions below under “documents to download”). Background checks can take up to 2 weeks to complete. We suggest starting this process as soon as you can.
  5. A copy of your high school diploma, transcripts or GED/HiSET. Graduation/Completion date must be listed.
  6. Gather your immunization records! These are strict requirements for this program, the clinical externship and for employment in the healthcare field. We can go over your records with you at any time; This way, you will know what is still needed.  The list of required immunizations is available below.
  7. After application period closes:
    • All potential program participants that have submitted completed application packets will be entered into the random lottery drawing, to be held December 5, 2025
    • Acceptance information will be emailed to the first 16 names drawn.
    • Waitlisted information will be emailed to everyone else. You will be assigned a waitlist # in your letter (2 of 25, 6 of 25, etc.) The waitlist is for the Spring 2026 program only. 

Application packet:

All 3 items must be submitted at the same time. Incomplete packets will be rejected.

1. Completed application

2. Background check (completed/pass) - "processed" or proof of purchase, is not acceptable

3. Copy of high school diploma, transcripts (must show graduation date) GED/HiSET or equivalent

Documents for download