Program Overview
The MA Apprenticeship is a U.S. Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship program designed to build internal workforce capacity and support Medical Assistant certification through structured, standardized training. This has been offered to our Nebraska health centers since July 2022. We now offer the apprenticeship to all interested healthcare organizations statewide!
This program provides a clear pathway for employees to earn the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential while continuing to work within your organization.
Program Benefits
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Retain and grow your existing workforce. Employees can earn MA certification while continuing to work full time, reducing turnover and minimizing staffing disruptions.
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Upskill non-traditional students. The goal of the apprenticeship is to provide career growth opportunities for employees that cannot complete a traditional classroom-based program, due to program distance, cost, family obligations, etc. Access barriers are especially relevant for our rural health centers: there are no Medical Assistant training programs in the western part of the state. HCAN’s apprenticeship allows your employees to obtain a national certification in a way that fits into their current work schedule, without the need for travel or relocation.
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Expand your hiring pipeline. You can recruit from your local community or select candidates with specific skills that may be difficult to find in the traditional MA applicant pool.
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Train to your standards. Apprentices are trained within your clinic environment, ensuring they learn your workflows, systems, and expectations from the start, eliminating the need for extensive retraining after hire. This allows you to ensure your Medical Assistants have the same baseline knowledge so that they can easily move across care delivery sites within your organization.
Testimonials
We are incredibly grateful for the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program, as it provides our employees with an opportunity to grow their careers and expand their knowledge within their everyday work environment. We have seen excellent results from participants in the program and fully intend to continue utilizing in the future. Additionally, this program has proven to be a valuable tool in recruiting and retaining dedicated staff.
[Organization] and surrounding clinics have been a part of the Health Center Association of Nebraska’s MA Program for almost two years. During this time, we have had 9 candidates complete the course work and pass the final exam on the first attempt. This partnership has allowed us to Grow Our Own and work to be fiscally and use of resources responsible. RNs are in demand and in short supply, so being able to use MAs have made it so we can fill those areas where previously we had not been able to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Medical Assistant (MA)?
Administrative Duties: They answer telephones, greet patients, update and file patient medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle correspondence, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handle billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical Duties: Includes taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. (Source: American Association of Medical Assistants)
Is the HCAN Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program legitimate, and how does it work?
Yes. HCAN’s Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a U.S. Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training, online learning, and structured skills validation to prepare participants for national certification. Training takes place at the apprentice’s workplace under a designated preceptor and replaces traditional clinical rotations with verified on-the-job competency tracking. Apprentices earn the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential upon completion, a nationally recognized certification. The on-the-job skills checklist was developed in consultation with Nebraska DHHS.
The program has been active since 2022, has served over 200 apprentices, and is used by 17 healthcare organizations across Nebraska. It is supported by federal apprenticeship standards and endorsed by the Nebraska Hospital Association.
Verification materials, including credentials, skills checklists, and curriculum documentation, are available upon request. For questions, please reach out to Daphne Calhoun at djc@hcanebraska.org.
How can my organization join?
Please submit our Inquiry Form for Organizations or reach out to Daphne Calhoun at djc@hcanebraska.org to start the onboarding process. This process includes completing required paperwork, signing partnership agreements, and participating in brief trainings on the platform.
Once all prerequisites are completed, your organization will be able to enroll apprentices in the next available cohort.
How often is the apprenticeship offered?
The apprenticeship is offered on a quarterly basis – starting at the beginning of every January, April, July, and October.
How much paperwork do I have to do?
When you enroll as an organization, there are a few agreements that must be signed. After enrollment, you will need to:
- Have your organization’s representative and the apprentice complete a form from the Department of Labor.
- Ensure apprentices complete their on-the-job skills checklist, which must be submitted to HCAN once finished.
How soon can I get my employees started?
The apprenticeship is offered on a quarterly basis (January, April, July, and October). Once your organization completes onboarding, your apprentices can begin with the next available cohort.
What do employers have to provide?
Participating organizations agree to:
- Designate a preceptor to support apprentices’ on-the-job training
- Provide opportunities for apprentices to complete required clinical competencies and verify their completion
- Support wage progression upon successful program completion, in accordance with apprenticeship standards
- Assist with exam scheduling and provide staff to administer and proctor the exam onsite
- Submit required documentation and information to ensure compliance with program standards
How much does it cost to join?
There is no cost for organizations to join the program. Fees apply only to the apprentices you enroll. These costs cover NHA materials, exam fees, and processing. As of April 2026, the cost is approximately $500 per enrolled Medical Assistant.
How does payment work?
When a cohort is ready to begin, HCAN will contact you to confirm your roster and complete apprentice registration. An invoice for the total number of enrolled apprentices will then be sent to your organization’s designated billing contact.
What comes with the program?
Program components include:
- 13 online training modules through the National Healthcareer Association aligned with CCMA exam content
- Practice exams that assess CCMA readiness and identify study gaps
- Physical CCMA study guide
- Progress tracking tools to monitor learner completion and performance
- CCMA exam voucher
- Option to proctor the CCMA exam onsite
- Structured on-the-job training competencies aligned with Department of Labor standards
Are there any prerequisites for apprentices to participate in the program?
To participate, individuals must:
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Age: 18+
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Be employed at a participating health center or organization
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Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or other equivalency)
Employers can choose to require qualifications above and beyond those listed above.
How long does it take for apprentices to complete the program?
The MA Apprenticeship Program typically takes 4–6 months to complete, but it is fully self-paced. There is no expiration or cutoff date for accessing the online materials, allowing participants to move through the program at a pace that works best for them.
Are there limits to the number of apprentices I can enroll per cohort?
There are no minimum or maximum enrollment requirements. Organizations may enroll as few or as many apprentices as they choose for each cohort.
I have more questions! Who can I talk to?
Please reach out to Daphne Calhoun at djc@hcanebraska.org with questions.