Healthcare Certifications Guide 2026: Credentials for Clinical & Allied Health Careers

Updated January 10, 2026 Table of Contents

Healthcare certifications can support specific roles and specializations.
Depending on the occupation, certifications may be required, recommended, or used to demonstrate competency alongside state licensing.
This guide summarizes common clinical and allied health certifications for 2025, typical eligibility requirements, and how renewal often works.

Why Healthcare Certifications Matter

  • Employability: Many employers require certification before hiring or promotion.
  • 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

Tip: Many professionals hold both a national certification and a state license, depending on role and state requirements.

How to Earn a Healthcare Certification

  1. Complete an accredited training program (associate, diploma, or certificate level).
  2. Apply for national exam eligibility through the certifying organization.
  3. Schedule your exam at an approved testing center or online proctoring site.
  4. Pass the exam and meet any state-level licensing requirements.
  5. Maintain certification through continuing education (CE) credits every renewal period.

Fastest-Growing Certified Healthcare Jobs (2026–2034)

|————-|————-|————–|——————–| | 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).

Certifications prove your commitment to patient care and professional excellence.

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