What is the fastest medical certification you can get?
What is the fastest medical certification you can get?
Many people want to start a career in healthcare quickly without spending years in school. The good news is that several medical certifications can be completed in less than a year—some in just a few weeks—while still offering strong job stability and growth potential. These short-term certifications prepare students for essential entry-level healthcare roles in hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Here are the fastest medical certifications you can get in 2025, along with their training length, job duties, and average pay.
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A Certified Nursing Assistant program is one of the quickest ways to enter healthcare. Most CNA programs take 4 to 12 weeks to complete, depending on state requirements.
CNA students learn basic patient care skills such as measuring vital signs, assisting with mobility, feeding patients, and maintaining hygiene. After completing training, students must pass a state exam to earn certification.
CNAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities, often serving as the primary caregivers for elderly and disabled patients.
Training Time: 1 to 3 months
Average Salary: About $38,000 per year
Certification Body: State boards of nursing or health departments
2. Phlebotomy Technician
A Phlebotomy Technician collects blood samples for testing, transfusions, and donations. Training programs are among the shortest in healthcare, often lasting 4 to 8 weeks.
Students learn venipuncture techniques, lab safety, and patient communication. Many programs include hands-on clinical practice. After training, students can earn national certification through organizations such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Phlebotomy jobs are in high demand in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and blood donation centers.
Training Time: 1 to 2 months
Average Salary: $41,000 per year
Certification Options: NHA, ASCP, AMT
3. Medical Assistant
A Medical Assistant certification can be completed in 9 to 12 months, making it one of the fastest ways to start a full-time healthcare career.
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties, including taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, scheduling appointments, and assisting physicians with minor procedures. Many programs, such as those offered by the New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants (NYSMDA), include externships that allow students to gain experience in real medical offices before graduation.
After completing training, graduates can take certification exams such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).
Training Time: 9 to 12 months
Average Salary: $45,000 per year
Certification Options: AAMA, AMT, NHA
4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician is another fast path into medicine. EMT programs typically take 3 to 6 months to complete and prepare students to respond to medical emergencies, provide first aid, and transport patients to hospitals.
After completing coursework and clinical ride-alongs, students must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.
EMTs often work for ambulance services, fire departments, or hospitals. The role can also serve as a stepping stone to becoming a paramedic or firefighter.
Training Time: 3 to 6 months
Average Salary: $47,000 per year
Certification Body: NREMT
5. Pharmacy Technician
A Pharmacy Technician program typically takes 4 to 8 months, depending on whether it’s online or in-person.
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists by preparing prescriptions, measuring medications, and managing inventory. Many states require certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and mail-order drug companies.
Training Time: 4 to 8 months
Average Salary: $42,000 per year
Certification Options: PTCB, NHA
6. EKG Technician
An EKG Technician certification can be completed in 6 to 10 weeks. These professionals perform electrocardiogram tests to monitor heart activity. Training programs teach students how to use EKG equipment, prepare patients, and read test results.
EKG technicians often work in hospitals, cardiology clinics, or diagnostic centers. Many combine this certification with other skills, such as phlebotomy, to increase job opportunities.
Training Time: 1.5 to 2.5 months
Average Salary: $48,000 per year
Certification Options: NHA, NCCT
7. Dental Assistant
Dental assistant programs are among the fastest career-track options in healthcare. Most can be completed in 9 to 12 months, though accelerated options exist that finish in 6 to 8 months.
Dental assistants work chairside with dentists, prepare treatment rooms, take x-rays, sterilize instruments, and assist with dental procedures. They can become certified through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Training Time: 9 to 12 months
Average Salary: $48,000 per year
Certification Body: DANB
Fastest Overall Medical Certifications
If your goal is to start working in healthcare as quickly as possible, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Phlebotomy Technician programs are the fastest—both can be completed in under 2 months. However, if you want a career with higher pay, broader responsibilities, and long-term growth, programs such as Medical Assistant or Dental Assistant are worth the additional few months of training.
The Bottom Line
The fastest medical certifications in 2025 allow you to start earning a stable income and gain experience in healthcare in less than a year. Whether you choose to work in a hospital, dental office, pharmacy, or lab, these programs provide practical training and quick access to rewarding careers.
If you want to get into healthcare fast, certifications such as CNA, Phlebotomy Technician, or Medical Assistant offer the perfect combination of short training time and strong job security.
Sources
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
https://www.nhanow.com/
https://www.amt1.com/
https://www.danb.org/
https://www.nremt.org/
https://www.nysmda.com/
https://www.ptcb.org/
If you're searching for more than just a job, moreover, a career with stability, respect, and long-term potential; then becoming a licensed dental assistant could be your perfect path forward. Furthermore, it's not just a fast-track into the workforce; it's a gateway to a profession that’s always in demand, deeply trusted, and personally rewarding. When you're ready to take that next step, one school rises above the rest: The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants. Furthermore, with a reputation for hands-on training, dedicated instructors, and real-world readiness, it’s the smart choice for turning ambition into achievement. Lastly, The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants stands out as the premier institution in the state. It’s the smart choice for anyone ready to invest in a future in healthcare.
Contact NYSMDA today and get your career started!
