How much does it cost to become a medical assistant in Denver, and which programs actually lead to a job? In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro, medical assistants earn a median wage of $47,820, with total program costs ranging from about $4,500 to over $19,000 depending on format and credential.
The practical tension for most Denver candidates is not licensing (Colorado does not require state certification) but matching program length, accreditation, and externship placement to the credentials local employers actually prefer: CMA, RMA, or CCMA. On-ground seats in the metro are limited, which pushes many students toward hybrid and distance formats accredited for national exam eligibility.
Jump straight to the program list.
Denver Medical Assistant Employers and Job Demand
Whether you prefer the fast pace of a hospital outpatient department or the close patient relationships of a family practice, Denver's healthcare landscape offers medical assistants a wide range of settings and employers to match your goals.
Major Healthcare Systems Hiring MAs
Four large networks dominate medical assistant hiring across the metro area:
- Denver Health: The city's safety-net system operates a major hospital, urgent care sites, and community health centers. Posted pay ranges from $20.00 to $26.96 per hour.1
- UCHealth: This statewide network runs facilities from the Anschutz Medical Campus to Green Valley Ranch. Medical assistant hourly pay typically falls between $20.26 and $26.342, with positions requiring a CMA or RMA credential plus current BLS certification.6
- HCA HealthONE: With multiple hospitals including Rose, Swedish, and Sky Ridge, HealthONE advertises MA wages from $20.05 to $29.09 per hour.3
- Intermountain Health: After expanding into Colorado, Intermountain now hires medical assistants at Denver locations at $20.67 to $30.78 per hour.4
Typical Work Settings
Medical assistants in Denver find roles across hospital outpatient departments, primary care clinics, and clinical medical assistant positions in specialty practices such as cardiology or orthopedics, and ambulatory surgery centers. Float pool positions rotate among departments, offering variety and scheduling flexibility.
Why Demand Keeps Growing
Denver's population continues to expand, and an aging demographic means more patients seeking routine and specialty care. Health systems are adding clinics throughout Aurora, Lakewood, and surrounding suburbs, creating steady openings for medical assistants who complete a medical assistant training program.
Apprenticeship and Career Entry
Intermountain Health operates a Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program spanning 20 weeks of full-time, paid training.5 Open to both current Intermountain employees and external candidates, the program accepts cohorts year-round in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas. This pathway offers hands-on experience while earning a wage, a significant advantage for career changers or those who need income during training. While other systems hire graduates directly, no formal school partnership programs from Denver Health, UCHealth, or HealthONE were confirmed in available sources.
In-Person Medical Assistant Programs in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, and Boulder
An in-person medical assistant program combines scheduled classroom and lab time with a supervised clinical externship, so students practice rooming patients, taking vital signs, and managing records before working independently. In the Denver metro, the clearest verified 2026 options are concentrated in Denver and Aurora.
Strongest in-person options near Denver
- Community College of Denver: Medical Assistant program, about 12 months, Denver campus.
- Concorde Career College: Medical Assistant Diploma, as few as 9 months, Denver campus with monthly rolling starts.
- Denver Medical Assistant School: Medical Assistant Training, 18 weeks, Aurora campus1; an August 15, 2026 start date is listed.2
- Emily Griffith Technical College: Medical Assisting, 11 months full-time or 18 months part-time, Denver campus.3
- Pima Medical Institute: Medical Assistant, about 9 months, Denver campus.
This mix includes a public community college, technical college, and career-focused diploma programs. A shorter National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) option in Denver is also listed at about 8 months, though admission details are not published.
Start dates and schedule notes
As of August 2026, Denver Medical Assistant School lists an Aurora cohort starting August 15, 2026.2 Emily Griffith lists a part-time cohort starting August 25, 2026 and a full-time cohort starting January 5, 2027.3 Concorde uses monthly starts, so entry tends to be more flexible. Community College of Denver, Pima, and NIMAA do not publish specific upcoming start dates in the available listings, and all schedules can change, so confirm current dates directly with the campus.
Admission requirements to plan for
Denver Medical Assistant School requires proof of high school completion, such as a U.S. diploma, GED, or college transcript, and students must be at least 17; applicants under 18 need parental consent.1 Emily Griffith Technical College requires students to be 18 or older and hold a high school diploma or GED, plus a criminal background check, drug test, and immunizations including MMR, hepatitis B, TDap, TB, varicella, influenza, and COVID-19.3
Admission details for Concorde, Pima, Community College of Denver, and NIMAA are thinner in published listings. Do not assume every program uses the same background, drug screen, immunization, or placement testing steps. Ask each school about prerequisite coursework, entrance or placement exams, and clinical clearance timelines before you apply.
For students searching specifically for Lakewood, Westminster, Centennial, or Boulder campuses, we did not find clearly verified current in-person programs in those cities in this update. Directory results may show Arvada or Westminster locations, but call the school to confirm the program is active and in-person.
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Denver Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
BLS data for the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro area reports a median annual wage of $47,820 for medical assistants, with typical wages ranging from $46,650 at the 25th percentile to $54,000 at the 75th percentile. This is an occupational wage for medical assistants, not a measure of earnings for graduates of any specific school. Colorado statewide and national median wages are not provided in the available data set, so the table focuses on the Denver metro and nearby Colorado metros.
| Area | Total Employment | Median Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 6450 | 47820 | 46650 | 54000 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 2540 | 44650 | 38010 | 48430 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 790 | 46560 | 42080 | 51960 |
| Boulder, CO | 770 | 48740 | 45120 | 53800 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 390 | 45330 | 38550 | 47250 |
| Greeley, CO | 380 | 47910 | 43400 | 50430 |
| Pueblo, CO | 340 | 43360 | 37180 | 47030 |
Colorado Medical Assistant Certification and Scope of Practice
Is state certification required?
Colorado does not require a state license, registration, or certification to work as a medical assistant. There is no statewide licensing board, state exam, or state-managed renewal cycle.1 In practice, however, many Denver-area employers set their own hiring standards and prefer or require a national credential such as the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT).
The usual path to CMA or RMA
The most direct route is to complete a medical assistant program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, then apply for and pass the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) exam. For Denver students, this means the credential conversation should start before choosing a program, because exam eligibility commonly depends on program accreditation.2
For the CMA, a pilot eligibility route is available through August 2029 for graduates of other accredited schools if the program includes 560 or more non-practicum contact hours and 160 or more practicum hours, or if you have 1,000 hours of post-program work experience.2 For the RMA, the usual route is graduation from an accredited program, with additional pathways including military service training or five years of qualifying work experience within the last seven years.2
Scope of practice in Colorado
Medical assistants in Colorado work under physician supervision.1 There is no separate state licensing law that lists permitted tasks, so your day-to-day duties will be shaped by the supervising physician's direction and employer policy. That makes clear communication about responsibilities especially important during training and onboarding.
Maintaining a credential
Because certification is optional under state law, Colorado does not manage a recertification cycle.1 If you earn CMA or RMA status, expect to follow the certifying body's continuing education and renewal requirements to keep the credential active.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid for Denver MA Programs
Total program costs in the Denver area range from roughly $4,500 to more than $19,000 before financial aid, so advertised prices should be compared with the net cost after grants and scholarships. The table below shows tuition and non-tuition charges where schools disclose them. Because books, uniforms, supplies, clinical requirements, and certification exam fees vary widely, request a full itemized cost breakdown from each program before enrolling.
| Program | Approx. Tuition | Fees (Books/Supplies/Testing) | Financial Aid Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Medical Institute - Denver Medical Assistant | $15,775 | Not itemized; total program cost $19,291 includes fees beyond tuition | Federal aid eligible; WIOA funding may be available depending on county workforce programs |
| Denver Medical Assistant School - Denver | Not itemized | $4,490 total program cost advertised as inclusive; line items not itemized | Does not participate in federal student aid; payment plans and external funding such as WIOA or community scholarships may be options |
| NIMAA - Medical Assistant focused program (national, accessible from Denver) | $6,798 | Books and materials $540; other costs $220; total non-tuition charges $760 | Limited institutional scholarships; external scholarships advised; federal aid participation not clearly indicated |
| Pickens Technical College - Medical Assistant (Aurora area) | $5,245 | $300 for books and supplies included in $6,670 total; other small fees may be embedded | Federal aid eligible; Pell Grants, loans, state aid, and possible WIOA or local workforce scholarships |
| Pueblo Community College - Medical Assistant Certificate (Colorado community college reference) | $5,700 (resident with COF) | Background check/drug screen $84.19; books approx $250+; computer approx $350+ | Federal aid eligible; Pell Grants, loans, WIOA possible, and COF state subsidy for residents |
Medical Assistant Program Rankings for Denver
Below are the top medical assistant programs serving Denver students, ranked by IPEDS completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. Because the Denver metro has limited on-ground medical assistant programs, this list reflects programs that prepare Colorado students for clinical and administrative medical assisting roles.
Trinidad State College
#1Trinidad, CO · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Best for: Colorado learners needing hands-on clinical practice
Trinidad State College is a public two-year college that offers the Medical Assistant Professional program with both an Associate of Applied Science and a certificate option. In-state tuition is $4,608 and net price is $10,772, while the institutional graduation rate is 54.5%. The on-campus program combines clinical skills such as blood draws, physician assistance during exams, and lab specimen processing with administrative training, and it prepares graduates for NHA certification. For Denver students, it provides a low-cost Colorado public option, though the campus is in southern Colorado rather than the Denver metro.
- Associate of Applied Science and certificate options
- Clinical and administrative training includes blood draws and lab specimen processing
- Trinidad and Valley campus locations
- Prepares for National Healthcare Association certification
- Articulation pathway to Public Health bachelor's at Adams State
Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Medical Assistant Programs
Costs, accreditation, and clinical training can look very different from one Denver medical assistant program to the next. These are the questions aspiring MAs ask most often, with what the available program information shows.
How much does medical assistant school cost in Denver?
Denver program costs vary widely. Denver Medical Assistant School lists a flat $4,490 total, while Emily Griffith Technical College totals $6,745 before supplies. NIMAA charges about $7,500 depending on cohort,1 and Pima Medical Institute's published total reaches about $19,291.2 Community College of Denver uses per-credit resident rates around $403.50, so total cost depends on credit load and financial aid.3
Which Denver medical assistant programs are accredited?
Several Denver-area schools are recognized through state or national approval, including Pima Medical Institute, Emily Griffith Technical College, Community College of Denver, Concorde Career College, and NIMAA. Denver Medical Assistant School is state approved, but its national accreditation status is less clear. Because exact accrediting bodies vary, ask each school whether it holds CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation if that matters for certification.
Do medical assistant programs in Denver include externships?
Yes, many Denver programs build in hands-on clinical training. NIMAA requires a 240-hour externship as part of its 960-hour program.1 Concorde Career College includes a non-paid externship, though placement is not guaranteed. Denver Medical Assistant School offers externship eligibility after week 8, with hours and placement support varying. Confirm the specific externship terms with each campus.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Denver?
Time to completion depends on the path. Community College of Denver lists a 12-month, 33-credit medical assistant program.4 NIMAA structures its training as 960 total hours, including the 240-hour externship.1 Certificate options often sit in that same approximate window, while part-time or associate degree tracks may take longer. Some employers or certification deadlines may also influence your timeline.
What are the admission requirements for medical assistant programs in Denver?
Admission requirements vary by Denver program, so there is no single standard list. Most schools expect a high school diploma or GED, and some may ask for health documentation or background checks. The research reviewed did not publish a uniform checklist, so check the program's current application page before you apply.
Online and Hybrid Medical Assistant Programs Serving Denver Students
Colorado students have at least ten distance-learning options for medical assistant training, ranging from a 6-week self-paced online course to an 18-month associate degree. Because national certification exams (CMA, RMA, CCMA, NCMA) tie eligibility to program accreditation, verify each school's accreditor with MAERB, CAAHEP, ABHES, or its regional accreditor before enrolling.
Fully Online Options
- US Career Institute: Self-paced online program advertised as completable in as little as 4 months (a minimum, not a guarantee). No local externship requirement is established in available research, which can affect eligibility for exams that require verified clinical hours.
- MSU Denver CCMA Training: Fully online, open-enrollment course designed to prepare students for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam. No fixed end date is published, and no local externship is indicated, so you would need to arrange clinical experience separately if your certifying body requires it.
- IntelliTec College (Online track): A 6-week, 100% online, self-paced option. The externship component is not clearly documented for this track, so ask admissions directly before assuming certification eligibility.1
Hybrid Programs with Local Labs and Externships
- Herzing University: Online didactic coursework in 8-week terms, paired with hands-on labs and a Colorado externship placement. Two credentials are offered: a 10-month diploma or a 16-month associate degree.
- Colorado Mountain College: Hybrid delivery with in-person labs at the Rifle campus and clinical training at local medical offices, running roughly 14 months.2
- Technical College of the Rockies: Hybrid, 33 credits across two semesters. Scheduling options include daytime in-seat classes in Delta or evening hybrid tracks (Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu) with online sessions.3
- Red Rocks Community College: Hybrid, scenario-based instruction totaling 28 credits (about 9 months), with a required 225-hour internship.
- Pueblo Medical Assistant School: 18-week hybrid with Saturday classes and roughly 4.5 hours of weekly hands-on practice in a working medical office.4
- Fort Collins Medical Assistant School: 18-week hybrid with required in-person lab and clinical training.5
- IntelliTec College (Hybrid track): 12 months with on-campus labs.1
- Concorde Career College: 9-month hybrid diploma or 18-month hybrid AAS, both with a mandatory externship.6
If you plan to sit for the CMA exam specifically, confirm CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation before you enroll: it is the single biggest factor in whether your training counts.
