Medical assistant programs near Providence offer campus and hybrid training in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. You can compare evening courses, college certificates and diplomas, then check the clinical schedule and national certification route before choosing.
These local options include public colleges, adult education and private career schools with current or recurring intakes. The check line under each school names its program accreditation, institutional accreditation or authorization source; a school-level listing does not establish programmatic accreditation.
Next published day start: November 6, 2026. School lists "Accredited By" ACCSC and "Licensed By" Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure; graduates may seek RMA certification.
Next evening class: January 20, 2027, subject to enrollment. RIDE lists Medical Assistant under this provider's job skills training; this is not programmatic accreditation.
Lincoln, RI appears under the school's statement, "The following campuses are accredited by ACCSC". The program prepares you for AMT's Registered Medical Assistant exam.
Fall 2027 intake; applications accepted through July 1, 2027 while seats remain. Catalog states "accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs"; graduates may seek CMA (AAMA) certification.
$24 tuition plus $230 college fee per credit for Massachusetts and qualifying nearby RI residents; other students: $230 tuition plus $230 fee (college catalog, checked October 27, 2026).
School says it is "licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Occupational Licensure". Open enrollment with frequent starts; confirm dates for the full 554-hour track and its six-week externship.
College states "Massasoit Community College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education". Seven-week, 245-hour practicum; April 30 priority application deadline; graduates receive guidance on NHA or AMT exams.
2026-2027: $24 tuition plus $209 college fee per credit for MA residents; $230 tuition plus $209 fee for nonresidents. Allied Health courses add $20 per credit; other fees apply (college tuition page).
Next published start: January 11, 2027. School states it "is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)"; first national credentialing exam attempt is included.
Provider states it is "licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Occupational Licensure". The program includes a six-week physician-office externship; the national certification exam is not named.
Bristol's certificate prepares students for clinical and administrative work in ambulatory settings and requires a health sciences information session.
$24 tuition plus $230 college fee per credit for Massachusetts and qualifying nearby RI residents; other students: $230 tuition plus $230 fee (college catalog, checked October 27, 2026).
Massasoit teaches medical assisting at its Canton campus, including laboratory procedures, patient examinations, electronic records and office management.
2026-2027: $24 tuition plus $209 college fee per credit for MA residents; $230 tuition plus $209 fee for nonresidents. Allied Health courses add $20 per credit; other fees apply (college tuition page).
Health and Home Care Training of New England Brockton, MA
The Brockton location offers medical assistant training that includes classroom instruction, laboratory practice and an externship arranged by the school.
Compare the exam named by each school. Bristol prepares graduates for CMA (AAMA), while Lincoln Tech names AMT's Registered Medical Assistant exam.
2
Check the admission requirements
Bristol requires a high school credential, biology with lab, algebra, six college credits and a mandatory information session. Review each school's requirements before paying an application fee.
3
Map classes and clinicals
Lincoln Tech requires a daytime, full-time internship even for evening students. Ask for the complete clinical calendar and travel locations before you arrange work or child care.
4
Confirm the funding first
Meet an American Job Center/DLT Career Center job coach to check WIOA eligibility and training funding. Get the award decision and the school's full expense sheet before committing to a payment plan.
5
Finish training and test
Complete your school's coursework and clinical requirements, then follow its certification guidance. Massasoit directs graduates toward NHA or AMT credentials; a school certificate and a national credential involve separate requirements.
Medical assistant employment and wages in the metro
BLS reported 4,120 medical assistant jobs (SOC 31-9092) in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area in May 2025. The median wage was $22.61 per hour and $47,020 per year. See the exact BLS metro table; BLS's release index identifies May 2025 as the latest available annual estimates.
These figures describe the occupation across the metro, including experienced workers. They are not graduate starting salaries or a count of open jobs. BLS explains its wage and employment measures separately from job openings. When reviewing a position, ask about required credentials, patient duties, weekly hours and benefits.
Medical assistant tuition and funding options
Cranston Adult Education publishes $1,550 for tuition and books. MTTI lists $17,350 tuition, a $50 application fee and $100 for textbooks/supplies. Southeastern lists $6,000 in-district or $10,000 out-of-district tuition. These are published figures checked October 27, 2026; ask for a written total including clinical checks and exam fees.
MTTI's aid page explains FAFSA applications for eligible Pell and FSEOG grants. Rhode Island residents can ask an American Job Center/DLT Career Center about WIOA-funded training; Massachusetts residents can check with MassHire Bristol. Approval depends on your eligibility and the chosen program. Veterans can check the exact course in the VA GI Bill Comparison Tool. If an employer offers tuition help, ask about reimbursement timing and work commitments before relying on it.
Do medical assistants need a Rhode Island license?
Rhode Island does not license the medical assistant profession, according to 911Programs' course guidance. National certification is a separate credential that employers may request. Lincoln Tech prepares students for AMT's RMA exam, while Bristol names CMA (AAMA). Check the credential an employer wants and your exam eligibility before selecting a course.
Can I take medical assistant classes at night?
Cranston Adult Education lists Monday and Wednesday classes from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with a January 20, 2027 start subject to enrollment. Lincoln Tech offers evening coursework with some online instruction, but its internship takes place during daytime hours. Check every required module and clinical shift before assuming the entire course fits after work.
What is the difference between CMA, RMA and CCMA?
These names identify different national certification routes. Bristol identifies the American Association of Medical Assistants' CMA credential, and MTTI identifies AMT's RMA credential. CCRI prepares eligible graduates for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam. Ask which exam your course supports, whether you meet its eligibility rules, and whether the exam fee is included.
Is free medical assistant training currently open?
Availability changes by cohort. On October 27, 2026, CCRI marked recruitment closed for its August-December 2026 course, and Brown University Health said recruitment was closed with updates expected in 2027. Those closed intakes are excluded from the table. Check DLT training assistance for eligibility-based options before assuming a course will be free.
How long is medical assistant school near Providence?
The calendar depends on the course and your attendance pattern. Cranston describes approximately 15 weeks, and Porter and Chester lists 10 months. Massasoit lists a nine-month full-time day certificate with a seven-week practicum. Compare total clinical time and any admission prerequisites, as well as the number of months shown in a course listing.