Healthcare Certifications Guide 2025: Credentials for Clinical & Allied Health Careers
Advance your career with the right healthcare certification.
In the fast-growing medical field, certifications prove your professional competence, qualify you for specialized roles, and can increase your salary potential.
This guide covers the most recognized clinical and allied health certifications for 2025, how to earn them, and which healthcare jobs require licensing.
Why Healthcare Certifications Matter
- Employability: Many employers require certification before hiring or promotion.
- Higher Pay: Certified healthcare professionals typically earn 10–20% more than non-certified peers.
- Credibility: Certification shows mastery of standardized, industry-accepted skills.
- Mobility: Nationally recognized credentials allow you to work in multiple states.
From patient care to diagnostic imaging, certifications help healthcare workers stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Top Certifications by Career Field
🩺 Medical Assistants
- Credential: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- Alternatives: Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – AMT, NCMA – NCCT
- Requirements: Graduate from an accredited program and pass a national exam.
- Renewal: Every 60 months with continuing education.
🧬 Phlebotomy Technicians
- Credential: Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) – National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Alternatives: RPT – AMT, ASCP Phlebotomy Technician – American Society for Clinical Pathology
- Focus: Blood draws, patient identification, infection control.
- Duration: 3–6 month training + clinical externship.
🏥 Nursing & Nursing Assistants
- Credential: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) via NCLEX exam.
- Assistants: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – state board certified.
- Requirements: Completion of approved training program and state licensure.
- Specializations: Critical care (CCRN), pediatrics, oncology, or nurse educator credentials.
💉 Radiologic & Imaging Technologists
- Credential: ARRT Certification – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
- Specialties: MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy.
- Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s in radiologic technology, exam, and ethics review.
- Renewal: Every 2 years with continuing education.
🧠 Occupational & Physical Therapy Assistants
- Credential: NBCOT Certification – National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy Assistants: Licensed via FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy).
- Requirements: Accredited program completion, clinical hours, and licensing exam.
👩⚕️ Respiratory Therapists
- Credential: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) – NBRC
- Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree + national exam.
- Renewal: Continuing education every 5 years.
🧫 Medical Laboratory Technicians & Technologists
- Credential: ASCP Board of Certification – American Society for Clinical Pathology
- Specialties: Hematology, microbiology, immunology, or molecular biology.
- Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree + clinical experience.
🩹 Allied Health & Administrative Roles
- Popular Credentials:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – NHA
- Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) – NHA
- Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) – NHA
- Ideal For: Students pursuing medical office, billing, or healthcare technology careers.
Licensing vs Certification
| Category | Certification | Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Voluntary credential showing professional competence | Legal requirement to practice in most states |
| Issuing Body | National professional organizations | State licensing boards |
| Examples | CMA, RMA, ARRT, NBCOT | RN, LPN, PTA, OTA |
| Portability | Usually valid nationwide | Varies by state |
| Renewal | Continuing education or re-exam | Renewal through state board |
💡 Many professionals hold both, a national certification and a state license, to demonstrate comprehensive qualifications.
How to Earn a Healthcare Certification
- Complete an accredited training program (associate, diploma, or certificate level).
- Apply for national exam eligibility through the certifying organization.
- Schedule your exam at an approved testing center or online proctoring site.
- Pass the exam and meet any state-level licensing requirements.
- Maintain certification through continuing education (CE) credits every renewal period.
Fastest-Growing Certified Healthcare Jobs (2025–2034)
| Occupation | Median Pay | Growth Rate | Typical Credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $43,000 | 14% | CMA, RMA, NCMA |
| Phlebotomy Technician | $40,000 | 8% | CPT, RPT, ASCP |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | $63,000 | 19% | FSBPT License |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,000 | 23% | NBCOT |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,000 | 13% | RRT, CRT |
| Radiologic Technologist | $70,000 | 6% | ARRT |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,000 | 7% | CBCS, CEHRS |
Renewal & Continuing Education
Most healthcare credentials require renewal every 2–5 years, often through CEUs (Continuing Education Units).
Failure to renew can result in certification lapse or additional testing.
Tips for staying current:
- Track your CE credits annually.
- Attend industry conferences or webinars.
- Subscribe to professional associations (e.g., AAMA, ARRT, ASCP).
Related Resources
- Top Healthcare Schools
- Healthcare & Medical Careers
- Certificates vs Degrees
- Accreditation Explained
- FAFSA Guide 2025
Certifications prove your commitment to patient care and professional excellence.
By earning nationally recognized credentials, you can advance your healthcare career, increase your earnings, and open new opportunities in clinical and allied health fields.
Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.