While not legally required in all states to practice medical assisting,
certification is highly recommended and often required by employers. Many employers prefer, or even mandate, candidates holding a nationally recognized certification such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential from the American Medical Technologists (AMT). These certifications demonstrate competency and professionalism.
Therefore, while not a legal requirement across the board, it's functionally a near-requirement for most employment opportunities as a medical assistant.