Campus-based training and online hybrid formats both lead to the same national certification exam, but they get Chesapeake students there on very different timelines and budgets. With Sentara, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, and Bon Secours all hiring within the Hampton Roads market, medical assistant openings here rarely sit empty for long, and local wages hover near the $38,920 metro median.
The harder question is which training path actually fits your schedule and finances. Tuition, program length, and exam pass rates vary more than most first-time applicants expect.
This guide compares those variables using current federal education data alongside direct research into Centura College and Sentara College offerings, so you're weighing real numbers, not marketing copy.
Medical Assisting in Chesapeake: Local Employers, Hospitals, and Demand
Where do medical assistants actually get hired in Chesapeake, and what can you do on the job once you start? The short answer is that hiring is concentrated in the region's larger health systems, with demand spread across outpatient specialty offices and hospital-based clinics.
Where Chesapeake medical assistants are hired
Sentara Health has posted medical assistant roles in Chesapeake, including an on-site outpatient endocrinology position in Greenbrier.3 Bon Secours also lists certified medical assistant openings in Chesapeake and nearby Portsmouth.4 Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and Riverside Health are major local and regional employers, though current public job postings are less visible for MA-specific roles. Nearby pediatric and acute care employers, including Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, can add to demand for pediatric medical assistant roles across Hampton Roads. LinkedIn data from 2023 counted 109 medical assistant jobs in Chesapeake and 754 across the broader region, which suggests steady local opportunity rather than a single dominant employer.1
What Virginia allows medical assistants to do
Virginia does not define "medical assistant" in a separate licensing statute. Instead, MAs work under delegation rules tied to the supervising physician or podiatrist.2 Under that framework, a provider can delegate educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive tasks.2 Medical assistants cannot establish a final diagnosis, set the treatment plan, or prescribe medications.2 Supervision must be continuous, but the supervising provider does not have to be physically present in the room for every task.2 In practice that means MAs in Chesapeake often handle vitals, intake, administrative work, basic point-of-care testing, and patient education while the provider directs care.
Placement rates and externship pipelines
Public placement rates for Centura College's Chesapeake campus and Sentara College were not available in the sources reviewed. If a school does not publish this, ask admissions for the most recent graduating cohort's job placement rate, the employers that hire graduates, and how many externships convert to job offers. Because active Sentara and Bon Secours MA postings appear in Chesapeake, online medical assistant certificate and diploma programs with externship relationships at those systems can give students a direct hiring pipeline. An externship there often works like a working interview, but a job offer is never guaranteed.
Online Vs. Campus Medical Assistant Programs: What Chesapeake Students Should Know
Most online medical assistant programs still require in-person clinical hours at approved local sites, so online flexibility mostly applies to the classroom portion. Centura College Chesapeake may offer hybrid formats, and several national online programs accept Virginia students.
In-Person Medical Assistant Programs Within Commuting Distance of Chesapeake
Centura College advertises Medical Assistant Diploma training at its Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Newport News campuses, with day courses from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and night courses from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Campus Options Within Commuting Distance
From central Chesapeake (23320), the most practical in-person candidates are in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Newport News. Depending on bridge traffic, plan for roughly 15 to 45 minutes of driving. Suffolk did not surface a dedicated in-person medical assistant campus in the reviewed listings, so Norfolk or Virginia Beach may be the stronger commute for hands-on labs.
- Centura College: Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Newport News locations. Day and night blocks are available, but no weekend medical assistant sections were documented. Admission generally requires a high school diploma or GED, age 18, and government ID.
- Bryant & Stratton College, Virginia Beach: CAAHEP-accredited Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting with an internship and on-campus delivery.
- ECPI University, Virginia Beach: ABHES-accredited associate degree with an MA concentration. The 15-month accelerated path includes a 5-week externship and year-round schedule.
- Tidewater Community College, Norfolk: Clinical Medical Assistant certificate. Past schedules included daytime classes in Portsmouth and evening classes in Virginia Beach2, but confirm 2026 meeting times directly.
- T&D Phlebotomy Classes, Norfolk: CMA course Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admissions and Clinical Clearance
Most programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Clinical placement often adds CPR at the AHA BLS level, a background check, drug screen, and immunizations. Some schools treat these as admission requirements, while others require them before the externship. Heart to Heart Career Training Center, for example, also requires the ability to lift 50 pounds and screens for barrier crimes.1
Deadlines and Accreditation
Published 2026 application deadlines and start dates are not consistently available for medical assistant programs in Virginia, including Hampton Roads campuses. Several campuses appear to use rolling enrollment, but call admissions for the next cohort. CAAHEP and ABHES accreditation matter if you plan to sit for the CMA(AAMA) exam: Bryant & Stratton's Virginia Beach program is CAAHEP-accredited, and ECPI's Virginia Beach program is ABHES-accredited. For Centura and Tidewater, confirm current programmatic accreditation before enrolling.
Medical Assistant Salary in Chesapeake: Current Metro Pay Data
The most recent published federal wage estimates (2024) show medical assistants in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area earn a median of about $38,920 per year. Pay typically falls between $36,270 and $44,570 around the middle of the wage distribution. Use the table below to compare Chesapeake's home metro with other Virginia locations.
| Metro area | Employment | Mean annual wage | Median annual wage | 25th percentile wage | 75th percentile wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 3,460 | $40,030 | $38,920 | $36,270 | $44,570 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,740 | $40,900 | $39,550 | $37,350 | $44,030 |
| Roanoke, VA | 580 | $38,600 | $37,010 | $36,530 | $41,840 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 500 | $38,880 | $37,700 | $36,490 | $42,610 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 380 | $41,600 | $40,730 | $38,290 | $44,930 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 340 | $41,190 | $39,660 | $37,240 | $44,760 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 320 | $39,380 | $38,130 | $37,950 | $39,890 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 210 | $38,380 | $38,400 | $36,430 | $40,610 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 170 | $40,620 | $39,660 | $37,120 | $43,520 |
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Virginia: Certification Steps
Virginia does not license medical assistants, but certification is the standard that Chesapeake employers use when screening candidates. Most students complete a diploma or associate degree, finish a clinical externship, and sit for a national exam before applying.
Medical Assistant Program Costs and Financial Aid in Chesapeake
Below are published tuition, fees, and estimated total costs for medical assistant programs within commuting distance of Chesapeake. Because financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance can significantly reduce what students actually pay, net price after aid is often lower than the listed figures.
| Program | Tuition | Fees | Total Estimated Cost | Key Financial Aid Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentara College of Health Sciences: Certificate in Medical Assistant | Semester 1 $4,980.00; Semester 2 $4,316.00 | Semester 1: Technology Fee $500.00, Proctored Testing Fee $36.00, Skills Lab Fee $30.00, Skills Lab Supplies $60.00. Semester 2: Technology Fee $500.00, Proctored Testing Fee $36.00, Skills Lab Fee $30.00, Skills Lab Supplies $60.00, Certification Exam Fee $175.00 | Program cost as reported: $10,581.00 (excluding books and uniforms) plus estimated textbooks $1,500.00 | Sentara Guild tuition assistance can fully fund Medical Assistant tuition and fees for eligible Sentara employees. Internal scholarships are available, and Financial Aid Advisors help locate scholarships, veterans' benefits, and other support. Federal loans and grants are not available for this certificate program. |
| Centura College Chesapeake: Medical Assistant Diploma | $18,000.00 (36 credit hours at $500.00 per credit hour) | Total fees $551.00; Administrative Fee $100.00; Library Fee $12.00; exam-related and course-related fees including AMT MA Exam $120.00, CET MA Exam $117.00, CPT Exam $117.00, CPR/First Aid $10.00 | Tuition $18,000.00 plus Estimated Books $2,800.00 plus Total Fees $551.00 (excludes separate application, administrative, library, and exam fees listed elsewhere) | Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for federal grant and loan programs; financial aid available to those who qualify. Approved for military tuition assistance and veteran education benefits. Offers tuition payment plans, institutional scholarships, scholarship match program, and private non-federal loans. |
Certification Exam Pass Rates and Preparation Support at Chesapeake Programs
Earning a national credential after completing your medical assistant training strengthens your resume and opens doors with employers throughout the Chesapeake area. Understanding each program's exam pass rates and the preparation support they offer helps you choose a path that sets you up for success.
Published Pass Rates
Sentara College of Health Sciences reported a 100% certification and licensure rate for its Medical Assistant program during the 2022 to 2023 reporting period.1 This aggregate figure reflects all graduates who pursued a national credential, though the college does not break down results by specific exam type (CMA, RMA, or CCMA).
Centura College Chesapeake lists pass rate data as not available for both its Associate of Occupational Science Degree and Medical Assistant Diploma programs in its most recent consumer disclosures.2 If you are considering Centura, ask the admissions office directly about their current pass rate tracking and how they support students preparing for certification.
Questions to Ask Admissions
When programs do not publish detailed exam outcomes, prospective students should request specific information:
- Pass rate by credential: Does the school track CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or other exam results separately?
- First-time vs. overall rates: Are reported figures for first-attempt test takers or all attempts?
- Recent data: What are outcomes for the most recent graduating class?
Exam Preparation Support
Programs vary in how they prepare students for certification exams. When evaluating schools, ask whether the curriculum includes practice exams, review courses, or dedicated study sessions before you sit for the test. Also confirm whether the cost of the certification exam fee is included in tuition or if you will pay separately.
Credentials Offered
Sentara's program prepares graduates for national certification, which is required for employment at Sentara health facilities. Chesapeake College's Clinical Medical Assistant program aligns with the NHA CCMA exam.3 Centura College promotes eligibility for both the CMA and RMA credentials. Confirming which credentials your target employers prefer helps you select the right program and exam pathway.
Clinical Externships: Sites, Hours, and What to Expect in Chesapeake
Chesapeake College's Clinical Medical Assistant program requires a 100-hour clinical externship after students pass CMA I, CMA II, and the NHA CCMA exam. That requirement is a useful anchor, but externship structures in Chesapeake vary by school, so check the final-term plan for the program you are considering.
Where Chesapeake Students Complete Clinical Hours
Sentara College of Health Sciences' medical assistant program builds 450 hands-on hours into its 12-month program. Those hours include skills labs, simulation, and precepted clinical rotations at area facilities in Hampton Roads, with day-shift scheduling. The college does not publish a separate externship hour count or a fixed list of host sites, so students should confirm current placement details.
Centura College's medical assistant program, offered in Chesapeake, Newport News, and Norfolk, includes an externship of about a month and a half at a healthcare facility.1 Centura does not give an exact hour total, and the school does not name specific clinic or hospital partners in its published materials.
In this region, clinical settings often include primary care clinics, urgent care centers, and hospital-affiliated practices. Sentara hospitals and Chesapeake Regional are among the large health systems in the area, but no program in this guide publishes a guaranteed roster of externship sites. Specific hosts can change by cohort and availability.
Placement, Screening, and Scheduling
Most Chesapeake-area programs schedule the externship in the final term, and the rotation is unpaid. Placement may be school-arranged or student-initiated depending on the program. Before starting, students should expect an affiliation agreement, a background check, a drug screening, and HIPAA training. These steps are standard even when a school coordinates the site. Because the externship is unpaid, plan for travel and any required supplies, especially if day-shift hours are part of the rotation.
Comparing Externship Hours
Hour totals are not uniform, so use them as a comparison point. Chesapeake College requires 100 clinical hours as a specific course. Centura's externship blocks about six weeks without an hour total. Sentara's 450 hands-on hours include labs and simulation, not a standalone externship. Ask whether the program counts clinical hours separately or bundles them with classroom skill practice.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Under supervision, you may room patients, record vital signs, assist with exams, update electronic health records, and perform point-of-care tests. Because the externship is usually the final step before certification and job applications, treat it as an extended working interview at a real clinical site, and keep your medical assistant resume guide current.
Top Medical Assistant Programs for Chesapeake Students
Below are the top medical assistant programs serving Chesapeake students, ranked by local relevance, accreditation, and student outcomes. The list highlights in-state tuition, delivery format, commuting distance, and recent graduation or earnings data where available.
Sentara College of Health Sciences
#1Chesapeake, VA
Best for: Chesapeake students needing hands-on clinicals
Sentara College of Health Sciences operates its Medical Assistant certificate on a Chesapeake campus, blending online coursework with in-person labs. Clinical rotations are completed at Hampton Roads facilities, including Sentara Healthcare sites, with 450 hours of hands-on experience. The one-year program reports a 100% certification pass rate, and recent earnings data show graduates earning around $77,800 ten years after entry. In-state tuition is about $420 per credit hour before fees.
- One-year hybrid certificate with Chesapeake campus labs
- 450 hours of clinical experience in Hampton Roads facilities
- Prepares for National Healthcareer Association certification exam
- Sentara employee tuition assistance available
- 100% licensure pass rate reported
Centura College-Chesapeake
#2Chesapeake, VA · $25,000 – $30,000/yr
Best for: Local career changers wanting online flexibility
Centura College-Chesapeake offers an online Associate of Occupational Science in Medical Assisting through its Chesapeake campus on Ventures Way. The 15-month, 60-credit program combines online flexibility with access to a large local campus for labs and student support. Current completion data show a 77.8% graduation rate, and tuition runs about $16,500 before fees. Median earnings for attendees are around $25,930.
- Fully online 15-month associate degree with Chesapeake campus support
- 60 credit hours covering clinical and administrative skills
- No prior experience required
- Financial aid available for qualified students
Tidewater Community College
#3Norfolk, VA · $12,000/yr
Best for: Budget-conscious learners seeking affordable CCMA prep
Tidewater Community College, in nearby Norfolk, offers a Clinical Medical Assisting certificate with a total tuition of $3,240. The Workforce Credential Grant reduces the upfront cost to roughly $1,080, and additional aid may cover up to 90% of the remainder. The program includes 120 clinical hours and prepares students for the CCMA exam, with day and evening sections available. Median earnings for graduates are around $38,300, though the completion rate is 31.7%.
- $3,240 total tuition, reduced to $1,080 upfront by grant
- 120 clinical hours in local healthcare settings
- Prepares for Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam
- Daytime and evening sections available
- Additional aid may cover up to 90% of remaining cost
ECPI University
#4Virginia Beach, VA · $23,000/yr (net price)
ECPI University in Virginia Beach, about 15 miles from Chesapeake, provides both an 11-month Medical Assisting Diploma and a 15-month Associate of Applied Science in Health Science with a Medical Assisting concentration. Both are ABHES accredited, campus-based programs with a five-week externship, and tuition is roughly $17,424 per year before fees. Median earnings for attendees are around $42,800, with a 42.5% graduation rate.
- 15-month accelerated associate degree with 61 credits
- Includes a 5-week externship
- ABHES accredited
- Prepares for CMA, RMA, CPT, and EKG certifications
- 11-month diploma program with 46 credits
- Includes a 5-week externship
- Prepares for CMA, RMA, CPT, and EKG certifications
- Full-time year-round accelerated schedule
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
#5Virginia Beach, VA · $12,000/yr
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach offers a campus-based Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting that can be completed in under two years. The 62-credit program includes an internship and prepares students for CMA or RMA certification. Tuition is about $18,062 per year, and median earnings for attendees are roughly $32,600. The school reports a 24.5% graduation rate.
- 62-credit associate degree completed in under two years
- Campus-based in Virginia Beach with internship experience
- CAAHEP accredited
- Prepares for CMA or RMA certification
Centura College-Norfolk
#6Norfolk, VA · $31,000/yr (net price)
Centura College-Norfolk, part of the Hampton Roads Centura network, offers both an online Associate of Occupational Science in Medical Assisting and a campus-based Medical Assistant Diploma. The associate degree can be completed in 15 months with 60 credits, while the diploma is a 12-month, 36-credit option. Tuition for both is around $16,500, and median earnings are about $25,930. The Norfolk campus is roughly 15 miles from Chesapeake.
- 15-month online associate degree with 60 credits
- Clinical and administrative skills training
- No prior experience required
- Financial aid available
- 12-month campus diploma with 36 credits
- Includes externship for real-world experience
- Prepares for CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification
- Evening and day class options available
Centura College-Virginia Beach
#7Virginia Beach, VA · $17,000/yr
Centura College-Virginia Beach offers a fully online Associate of Occupational Science in Medical Assisting that mirrors the Chesapeake campus format. The 15-month, 60-credit degree includes hands-on training components and no prior experience requirement. Tuition is approximately $16,500, and median earnings for attendees are around $25,930. The Virginia Beach campus is about 20 miles from Chesapeake.
- 15-month online associate degree with 60 credits
- Hands-on training components included
- No prior experience required
- Career services support available
Old Dominion University
#8Norfolk, VA · $13,000 – $34,000/yr
Old Dominion University in Norfolk offers a non-credit Certified Medical Assistant program that combines online coursework with in-person clinical experience. The five-month hybrid program prepares students for three certifications: Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician. Median earnings for ODU attendees are around $54,900, though this reflects the university overall rather than only the certificate. In-state undergraduate tuition is about $7,800 per year, but this continuing education program is priced separately.
- Five-month hybrid continuing education program
- Online coursework plus in-person clinical experience
- Prepares for Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician certifications
- Non-credit format for fast workforce entry
Virginia Peninsula Community College
#9Hampton, VA · ~$7,000/yr (est.)
Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton offers both a Clinical Medical Assistant and a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant certificate. Both are non-credit, eligible for Fast Forward scholarship funding, and prepare for NHA certification exams. In-state tuition at the college is approximately $4,962 per year, and median earnings for attendees are around $38,000.
- Prepares for NHA CCMA certification
- Eligible for Fast Forward scholarship
- No prerequisite courses required
- Hands-on clinical training in outpatient settings
- Prepares for NHA CMAA certification
- Includes NHA exam voucher
- Eligible for Fast Forward scholarship and G3 tuition assistance
- Four-course, non-credit career program
Virginia Wesleyan University
#10Virginia Beach, VA · $20,000/yr (net price)
Virginia Wesleyan University offers a fully online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certificate through its continuing education division. The self-paced course includes a CCMA exam voucher and requires no prerequisites. Because it is online, Chesapeake students can enroll without commuting to the Virginia Beach campus. Median earnings for VWU attendees are about $50,100, and the university's undergraduate tuition is $36,550 per year, though the certificate is priced separately.
- 100% online certificate with no prerequisites
- Includes CCMA exam voucher
- Covers phlebotomy, EKG, and medical terminology
- Self-paced continuing education format
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How to Choose the Right Medical Assistant Program in Chesapeake
The hardest decision for many Chesapeake students is not whether to enter medical assisting. It is balancing cost, schedule, and program quality without knowing which factor will matter most in five years. The good news is that the strongest choices tend to look similar: accredited, reasonably priced, honest about outcomes, and specific about externships.
Verify accreditation before anything else
Start by confirming programmatic accreditation directly through CAAHEP or ABHES. A school may say it is accredited, but ask whether that accreditation is institutional or programmatic. For medical assisting, CAAHEP and ABHES are the credentials that matter most for certification eligibility. Also ask for current pass rates and job placement data. A program that shares recent numbers is usually more confident about its results than one that dodges the question.
Compare the full price, not just tuition
Request a total cost sheet that includes tuition, fees, scrubs, textbooks, background checks, drug screenings, and certification exam fees. Two programs with similar tuition can end up hundreds or thousands of dollars apart once those items are added. Then weigh length and format. A shorter online medical assistant program may work if you are disciplined, but a campus program with scheduled labs can be the better fit if you need structure.
Make the externship your tiebreaker
Externship support is where programs separate themselves. Ask where students are placed, how many hours are required, and whether the school coordinates the site or leaves the search to you. A program with established Chesapeake area clinical partnerships can smooth the path from classroom to job.
Final next step
Narrow your list to two or three accredited options and request program information side by side. If possible, schedule a campus visit, sit in on a class if allowed, and ask to speak with a current student or recent graduate. A good program will welcome those questions.
