Why Pre-Health Students Should Start Building Credentials Early
Healthcare certifications for pre-health students can help pre-health students stand out in today’s competitive admissions process.
While strong grades are important, professional schools also value applicants with hands-on experience, volunteer service, leadership, and other meaningful credentials.
In this guide, you’ll learn why building credentials early matters, which healthcare certifications can strengthen your application, and how to get started on the path to a successful healthcare career.
What Credentials Do Pre-Health Schools Look For?
While a strong GPA is important, admissions committees also look for evidence that you’ve explored the healthcare field and developed the skills needed to succeed. Here are some of the most valuable credentials:
Why You Should Start Building Credentials Early
Getting into healthcare programs isn’t just about earning good grades anymore. Admissions committees want applicants who have explored the field, gained clinical experience, and demonstrated a commitment to patient care.
More than 52,000 students apply to U.S. medical schools each year, making it important to stand out beyond academics, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Best Healthcare Certifications for Pre-Health Students
Healthcare occupations are projected to add more than 1.9 million job openings each year on average from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Healthcare certifications are one of the best ways to gain hands-on experience before applying to professional school.
Advanced eClinical Training offers online certification programs that help pre-health students develop job-ready skills and prepare for nationally recognized certification exams.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
Job Outlook: Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 15% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What you’ll learn: Patient care, vital signs, EKGs, injections, and medical office procedures.
Career opportunities: Clinical Medical Assistant in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices.
Best for: Students pursuing medicine, physician assistant studies, nursing, or other patient-facing healthcare careers.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
Job Outlook: Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 18,400 job openings each year on average.
What you’ll learn: Blood collection techniques, specimen handling, infection control, and patient communication.
Career opportunities: Phlebotomy Technician in hospitals, laboratories, and blood donation centers.
Best for: Students interested in medicine, nursing, or laboratory sciences.
Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT)
What you’ll learn: Direct patient care, vital signs, specimen collection, EKGs, and assisting with daily living activities.
Career opportunities: Patient Care Technician in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Best for: Students pursuing medicine, physician assistant studies, or nursing.
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Job Outlook: Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 49,000 job openings each year on average.
What you’ll learn: Medication preparation, pharmacy operations, prescription processing, and patient safety.
Career opportunities: Pharmacy Technician in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare systems.
Best for: Students planning to attend pharmacy school.
Certified Physical Therapy Technician (PTTC)
What you’ll learn: Rehabilitation support, therapeutic exercises, patient mobility, and physical therapy procedures.
Career opportunities: Physical Therapy Technician in rehabilitation clinics and outpatient practices.
Best for: Students interested in physical therapy, sports medicine, or rehabilitation sciences.
How to Choose the Right Healthcare Certification
Not every certification is the right fit for every student. Use the questions below to find the option that best matches your goals.
What healthcare career interests you most?
Medicine: CCMA or CPCT Physician Assistant: CCMA or CPCT Nursing: CCMA or CPCT Pharmacy: CPhT Physical Therapy: PTTC Medical Laboratory Science: CPT
Do you want direct patient care?
Are you interested in laboratory work?
Do you want to work while you’re in school?
Which skills do you want to develop?
Why Choose Advanced eClinical Training?
Choosing the right certification program is just as important as choosing the right certification. Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) helps pre-health students gain the skills, clinical experience, and support needed to prepare for professional school and future healthcare careers.
FAQs about Healthcare Certifications for Pre-Health Students
Some of the best healthcare certifications for pre-health students include the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), and Certified Physical Therapy Technician (PTTC).
Yes, healthcare certifications can strengthen your application by providing hands-on clinical experience, demonstrating your commitment to healthcare, and helping you develop practical skills. While certifications alone won’t guarantee admission, they can help distinguish you from applicants with similar academic backgrounds.
It’s best to start as early as your freshman or sophomore year of college. Beginning early gives you time to earn a certification, gain clinical experience, build relationships with mentors, and strengthen your application before applying to professional school.
For many pre-med students, the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) certifications provide the most direct patient care experience. Students interested in laboratory work may also benefit from becoming a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT).
Yes, many healthcare certifications qualify students for entry-level clinical positions that can be completed while attending college. Working in a healthcare setting allows you to earn income while gaining valuable patient care experience.
Yes, provided you choose a reputable program. Many online healthcare certification programs prepare students for nationally recognized certification exams while allowing them to complete coursework on a flexible schedule. Some programs, such as Advanced eClinical Training, also include externship opportunities and career support.
Program length varies by certification, but many healthcare certification programs can be completed in 8–12 weeks. Self-paced online programs allow students to complete training while balancing college coursework and other responsibilities.
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) certifications typically provide the most direct patient interaction. These roles involve taking vital signs, assisting with patient care, performing clinical procedures, and working closely with healthcare providers.
Ready to get hired?
Advanced eClinical Training combines accelerated online learning, real-world externships, and personalized job matching to help you stand out in today’s healthcare job market. Finish in 6-8 weeks!
