Medical assistants are licensed.

• A. True
• B. Sometimes licensed
• C. Not licensed; they perform clinical procedures under physician supervision
• D. They are licensed but don't need supervision

Answer: (C)

Medical assistants are not licensed professionals; licensure is reserved for certain regulated health occupations that practice with independent authority. They complete training and may pursue voluntary certification, but that certification is not the same as licensure. Their duties include a mix of administrative tasks and basic clinical tasks, and they work under the supervision of a licensed clinician such as a physician or nurse. The exact scope depends on state laws and employer policies, so they typically cannot perform many procedures independently. That’s why the statement that medical assistants are licensed isn’t accurate: they’re not licensed, and they operate under supervision, though they may be certified.