Explain the key training, education, and certification preparation needed for medical assistants? The AAMA requires licensure for medical assistants in some states. It is optimal for a medical assistant to have training from an accredited school and have received a diploma, certificate, or degree in medical assisting. To be certified as a medical assistant, you must be trained using a standardized curriculum or set of courses. It doesn’t matter what type of program you enroll in, as long as you pass the medical assistant exams.