Welcome to CapYear Academy’s Clinical Medical Assistant Training Program

Think You’re Too Busy to Get Certified?
Think Certification is Too Expensive?
Think Again. 

In as little as 9 weeks—and for thousands less than other programs—our comprehensive online curriculum will give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a nationally recognized Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. Capitalize on your gap year with CapYear.

What CapYear Academy Offers Students

National Certification for only $1,995

Our online program with hands-on externship option prepares you for the nationally recognized CCMA exam at a fraction of the cost of traditional programs.

Self paced, On demand learning

Convenient and flexible 24/7 access to study modules allows you to complete your training whenever and wherever works for you—scrubs not included.

Curriculum ties to the CCMA exam

Our program leverages the NHA's own curriculum, ensuring you’ll cover all certification exam topics in advance—no exam-day surprises.

Online doesn´t mean alone

Our experienced MD, PA, and RN instructors offer live sessions and are available to answer questions, provide insights, and give 1:1 feedback during your entire learning journey.

12 months Complete program access

One year of unlimited access to course materials means you can succeed on your time (or go back for refreshers if you finish early).

Optional Clinical Externship

Get hands-on training through our optional, 90-hour clinical externship.  We will help match you with a clinic where you work with real patients on the skills you learn in the program.

Online Learning. Hands On Training.

Gain in-person clinical experience as part of your training with our optional externship

Work with real patients 

Apply the skills you have learned in a real-world setting with the support of a clinical trainer

Externship Placement Support

Our externship coordination team will help you identify a clinical site for your training

Demonstrate you are job ready

Show future employers you have the knowledge, skills and experience to care for patients 

Why Choose CapYear Academy?

Lead Instructor Dr. Sami Shoucair on CapYear Academy's Innovative Medical Assistant Training Program

Write your awesome label here.
Faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional programs, CapYear Academy’s curriculum is mapped to the National Healthcareer Association's (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam.

CapYear Academy’s CCMA Program By the Numbers

  • 1:1 live instructor support when you need it
  • 5 expert, practicing instructors
  • 9 short weeks to complete training
  • 12-month total program access
  • 19 comprehensive, interactive clinical modules
  • 24/7 online access
  • $1,995 total cost 
  • 4 practice exams to prepare for certification
  • 2 payment plans to facilitate enrollment
  • 90 hour optional externship

Only $1,995 for Full, 12-Month Program Access

Payment Plans Available

  • $1000's less than traditional programs
  • 4 and 10-month payment options
  • A comprehensive refund policy so you can enroll with confidence
  • The cost of the NHA CCMA certification exam is included in the tuition

Go from Pre-Health Student to Practicing Professional in 4 Easy Steps

Prepare for the CCMA certification exam in as little as 9 weeks online, not 6, 9, or even 12 months
in-person, like traditional programs. Launch your healthcare career today. 

Sign Up for CapYear Academy

Our application takes 10 minutes to complete—faster than you can say “Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis*.”

Applicants must have a high school degree or equivalent and access to broadband internet to enroll. A quick verification process will confirm eligibility.

Complete Our Program in as Little as 9 Weeks

CapYear Academy’s 100% online program is completely self-paced. You can finish our 19 learning modules, quizzes, and a final assessment in just 9 weeks or take up to a full year—it’s up to you and your schedule. Personalized, one-on-one interactive support from our physician, physician assistant, and nurse instructors is available if and when you need it.

CapYear Academy partners with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the certifying body for the CCMA certification. Our program is mapped to the NHA guidelines and leverages NHA materials to ensure you build the skills you need to be prepared for the CCMA exam and be a medical assistant.

The graduation certificate you receive at the end of our program is your ticket to sit for the CCMA exam.

Sit for the CCMA certification exam

When you finish CapYear Academy’s training program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and be eligible to sit for the CCMA exam. We'll even help you reserve your spot!

Become a Certified Medical Assistant

After you pass the CCMA exam, you’ll be [drum roll, please!] a certified clinical medical assistant.

The CCMA certification is recognized in all 50 states and gives you a competitive edge in the job market. Surveys show 80% - 90% of employers require or strongly prefer medical assistants to be certified.

* Did you know “Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,” a lung disease caused by inhalation of very fine silicate or quartz dust, is the longest word in most standard English dictionaries with 45 letters? 

Learn Valuable Clinical Skills from Medical Professionals

CapYear Academy’s CCMA training program is led by experienced, engaging medical professionals and supplemented by interactive videos and study guides.


Bonus: Real-world patient simulations allow you to practice and perform essential medical assistant tasks right from home.

Our comprehensive MA courses include:

Basic Science

Reinforce your knowledge of human anatomy and disease.

Medical law and ethics

Lessons on HIPAA, OSHA and other regulations to make sure you are up to speed on patient privacy and protection.

Medical terminology

Learn the language of healthcare to communicate effectively with patients and medical professionals.

Clinical Skill Building

Learn how to obtain vitals, prepare patients for examinations, and assist with procedures.

Patient communication 

Learn principles of patient-centered communication, how to obtain patient histories, and effective patient education.

Pharmacology & Medicine

Develop your pharmacology and medication administration knowledge to improve your patient care skills.
Our Instructors

Experienced.
Dedicated.
Professional.

CapYear’s instructors are highly qualified professionals widely acknowledged in their fields. Their goal? Your success.

Sami Shoucair, M.D.

Deborah Gutman, M.D.

Jacqueline Snyder, MSPAS, PA-C

Ashley Iacone, PA-C 

Lindsey Manos, DHSc, PA-C

Kristin Crawley, CRNP

David Roberts, PA-C

Questions? Answers.

Check out our FAQs below.
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Email us at academy@capyear.co

What is CapYear Academy?

CapYear Academy is a learning platform whose mission is to create more clinical opportunities for tomorrow's medical leaders by removing educational bottlenecks that make it hard for many pre-med and pre-health students to get the training they want and deserve. We’re invested in creating growth opportunities and upskilling our students to meet the increasing demands for top-notch entry-level clinical positions. CapYear Academy promotes a student-centered learning environment. Our faculty and staff are accessible and supportive of individual student needs. 

What will CapYear Academy’s Program Enable Me to Do?

Successful completion of CapYear Academy's medical assistant training program satisfies the minimum educational requirements for eligibility to take the NHA's CCMA exam for the next two years. When you pass the CCMA exam, you’ll be qualified to work as a certified medical assistant.

How Long is CapYear Academy’s Program?

Our program consists of 201 course hours across 19 clinical courses. Students can complete the self-paced program in as little as 9 weeks or take up to a full year—the choice is yours.

How do I Complete the Program and Graduate?

To complete the program, students must:

  • Complete 100% of the 201 hours of required program learning
  • Achieve a minimum passing score on all module quizzes and assessments

  • Score a minimum of 80% on the final program assessment
  • Pay for the program in full

When you complete our training, you’ll be awarded a certificate of completion and be eligible to sit for the CCMA exam.

Does CapYear Academy have Physical Locations?

All coursework is held asynchronously and online at CapYear Academy. Course content is available 24/7 online. CapYear Academy has physical office locations for our administrative staff in Baltimore, MD, and Newark, OH.

How Long do I Have to Complete CapYear Academy’s Program?

Students have up to 12 months to complete our program. There are no required hours per week as long as all the content is completed within 12 months. Due to the online asynchronous format, students can start at any time that works best for them. There are no set academic terms or set program start and end dates. There are minimum attendance and progress requirements to maintain enrollment. Please see our Student Catalog for more details.

What are CapYear Academy’s Hours of Operations?

CapYear Academy's program is 100% online and asynchronous, so enrolled students can access program materials 24/7.

CapYear Academy's technical and academic support is available Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.

CapYear Academy is closed for administrative, technical, and academic support on the following days:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving and the day after
Christmas Eve through New Year’s Eve

Access to the online program and content will be available, but administrative offices will be closed and instructor support will not be available during regular business hours during these days.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Enrollment in the Program?

To enroll in CapYear Academy’s medical assistant training program, a student must have a high school degree or equivalent. All CapYear Academy applicants will be asked to certify and provide verification that they have a high school degree or equivalent.

You must be 18 years or older to enroll in CapYear Academy.  High school graduates under the age of 18 must get a parent or guardian's signature.  A student may enroll at any time.

No credit is granted for previous training or experience.

Criminal convictions may affect a student’s ability to be licensed, certified, or registered.

What Topics are Covered in the Course?

The curriculum is fully mapped to the guidelines provided by the NHA and the NHA CCMA test plan. 

Topics covered include:
☑Basic Science
☑Clinical Skill Building
☑Medical Law and Ethics
☑Patient Communication
☑Medical Terminology
☑Pharmacology and Medicine

How Does CapYear Academy’s Program Work?

All our program content is online and asynchronous and includes interactive videos, written materials and exercises, and interactive simulations.

Our training program comprises five primary knowledge areas: Healthcare Fundamentals, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Clinical Skills Building, and Administrative Skills Building. Each of these knowledge areas contains courses that relate to the knowledge area. Courses are divided into modules. After completing courses in the knowledge areas, students complete a study review and then have access to practice exams.

Students are assessed with quizzes after each completed module. Student must receive a passing grade on their quizzes for the module to be considered complete.

CapYear Academy's learning platform integrates a community page where participants can contact other course participants for support and questions. Instructors and administrative staff are available during office hours to help troubleshoot any issues accessing course material. Weekly instructor-led Zoom office hours help students navigate the course and its contents. Instructors are also available for one-on-one sessions to address any questions.

What does a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Do?

A medical assistant is a vital part of the patient care team usually found in outpatient clinical settings.  Duties can include:

  • Assisting physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other clinicians in patient care and administrative activities
  • Maintaining medical records and completing insurance billing forms
  • Obtaining and recording vital signs and medical histories
  • Performing EKG, phlebotomy, and injections
  • Performing laboratory and diagnostic tests
  • Aiding in customer service and appointment scheduling

What is the Job Outlook for Medical Assistants?

Medical assistant jobs are projected to grow 16% nationally from 2021 to 2031, faster than average for all occupations. About 123,000 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these openings result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force by retiring or other reasons.

What Happens if I Don't Pass an Assessment?

Students who do not achieve a passing score on a quiz or exam may retake the quiz or exam until they achieve a passing score. Please note this exception: The Final Practice Test only allows students one retake.

What is CapYear Academy’s Refund Policy?

If the student is not accepted into the training program, all monies paid by the student shall be refunded. Refunds for books, supplies, and consumable fees shall be made in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code section 3332-1-10.1. There is one (1) academic term for this program that is 201 clock hours in length. Refunds for tuition and refundable fees shall be made in accordance with the following provisions as established by Ohio Administrative Code section 3332-1-10:

(1) A student who withdraws before the first class and after the 5-day cancellation period shall be obligated for the registration fee.

(2) A student who starts class and withdraws before the academic term is 15% completed will be obligated for 25% of the tuition and refundable fees plus the registration fee.

(3) A student who starts class and withdraws after the academic term is 15% but before the academic term is 25% completed will be obligated for 50% of the tuition and refundable fees plus the registration fee.

(4) A student who starts class and withdraws after the academic term is 25% complete but before the academic term is 40% completed will be obligated for 75% of the tuition and refundable fees plus the registration fee.

(5) A student who starts class and withdraws after the academic term is 40% completed will not be entitled to a refund of the tuition and fees.

The School shall make the appropriate refund within thirty (30) days of the date the School is able to determine that a student has withdrawn or has been terminated from a program. Refunds shall be based upon the last date of a student’s attendance or participation in an academic school activity.

What If I Have a Complaint?

All student complaints should be first directed to the school personnel involved. If no resolution is forthcoming, a written complaint shall be submitted to the director of the school. Whether or not the problem or complaint has been resolved to his/her satisfaction by the school, the student may direct any problem or complaint to the Executive Director, State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, 30 East Broad Street, Suite 2481, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, Phone 614-466-2752; toll-free 877-275-4219.

In What States is the CCMA Certification Recognized?

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification is recognized in all 50 states