An applicant for a medical assistant-certified credential must meet the following requirements:

(1) Successful completion of one of the following medical assistant training programs:

(a) Postsecondary school or college program accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP);

(b) Postsecondary school or college accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which includes a minimum of 720 clock hours of training in medical assisting skills, including a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours;

(c) A registered apprenticeship program administered by a department of the state of Washington unless the secretary determines that the apprenticeship program training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state. The apprenticeship program shall ensure a participant who successfully completes the program is eligible to take one or more examinations identified in subsection (2) of this section;

(d) The secretary may approve an applicant who submits documentation that they completed postsecondary education with a minimum of 720 clock hours of training in medical assisting skills. The documentation must include proof of training in all of the duties identified in RCW 18.360.050(1) and a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours; or

(e) The secretary may approve an applicant who submits documentation that they completed a career and technical education program approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction with a minimum of 720 clock hours of training in medical assisting skills. The documentation must include proof of training in all of the duties identified in RCW 18.360.050(1) and a clinical externship of no less than 160 hours.

(2) Pass a medical assistant certification examination, approved by the secretary, within the preceding five years of submitting an initial application or currently hold a national medical assistant certification with a national examining organization approved by the secretary. A medical assistant certification examination approved by the secretary means an examination that:

(a) Is offered by a medical assistant program that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA); and

(b) Covers the clinical and administrative duties under RCW 18.360.050(1).