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Medical office certificate (MOA)

Medical Office Assistant (MOA) Certificate

Facts checked 7 September 2026

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Part of the route toMedical Office Assistant·Certificate

A college certificate program teaching patient scheduling, medical records management, and billing for doctor clinics.

How long
5–8 months
Cost
About $2,500 to $13,600 for the whole program
Schools
7 in BC

Ways to get this paid for

Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.

Free adult upgrading

Free

Grade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.

Details

WorkBC training funding

Up to $7,500 tuition

If you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.

Details

Canada Training Credit

Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your life

Federal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.

Details

BC Access Grant

Up to $4,000 a year

For low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid BC.

Details

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (7 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 7

Grade 11

⏱ 1 school year
  • Math 11 (min C) or Business Math
  • Foundations of Math 11 (min C) or equivalent
2

Step 2 of 7

Grade 12

⏱ 1 school year
  • BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Douglas College, University of the Fraser Valley, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
  • English 12. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Douglas College, Camosun College, and 2 others). Strictest requirement: C+.
  • Grade 12 graduation or mature student status (19+)
3

Step 3 of 7

What you need to get in

  • Minimum keyboarding speed of 35 to 40 words per minute
  • Familiarity with standard computer software and operating systems
  • Keyboarding speed of minimum 35 to 40 wpm
  • Basic computer literacy in word processing and email
  • Keyboarding / typing speed minimum 30 wpm
4

Step 4 of 7

How to apply

  • Apply through EducationPlannerBC to an accredited public college (Vancouver Community College, Douglas, or BCIT)
  • Intakes offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring terms
  • Submit official transcripts and certified typing speed test result
  • Complete college English assessment if secondary schooling was outside BC
5

Step 5 of 7

Medical office certificate (MOA)

⏱ 5–8 months
  • 5 to 8 months of full-time training (or flexible part-time study)
  • Medical terminology, human body systems, clinical ethics, and privacy regulations
  • BC Medical Services Plan (Teleplan) billing codes and electronic medical record (EMR) software
  • Clinical scheduling, patient intake, triage assistance, and medical transcription
  • 2 to 4 week practicum placement in a physician clinic, hospital department, or medical facility
6

Step 6 of 7

Where to take it

⏱ 7 schools in BC
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology — 6–12 months (Tuition not yet verified)
  • Camosun College — 8 months (Tuition not yet verified)
  • Douglas College — 6 months (Tuition not yet verified)
  • University of the Fraser Valley — 5 months (About $6,800 for the whole program)
  • Vancouver Community College — 5 months (About $2,500 for the whole program)
  • Vancouver Career College — 36 weeks (About $13,600 for the whole program)
  • Western Community College — 24 weeks (About $7,000 for the whole program)
7

Step 7 of 7

Leads to: Medical Office Assistant

  • Explore Medical Office Assistant wages, job outlook, and career pathways

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(7 schools)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

🔬
Public College

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Burnaby Campus

Duration6–12 months
TuitionTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

DeliveryHybrid
“Flexible hybrid associate certificate covering medical transcription, clinical records, and medical office management software.”
🌊
Public College

Camosun College

Lansdowne Campus, Victoria

Duration8 months
TuitionTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

DeliveryIn-Person
“8-month public college certificate in Victoria covering medical billing, EMR software, and healthcare clinic administration.”
📚
Public College

Douglas College

New Westminster Campus

Duration6 months
TuitionTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Hospital unit clerk and private specialist practice administration skills with clinical computer simulations.”
🏛️
University

University of the Fraser Valley

Abbotsford Campus

Duration5 months
TuitionAbout $6,800 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Comprehensive public college certificate in Abbotsford covering MSP billing, clinic procedures, and medical transcription.”
🩺
Public College

Vancouver Community College

Vancouver (Downtown & Broadway)

Duration5 months
TuitionAbout $2,500 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Medical billing, electronic health records (EMR), pharmacology terminology, and patient scheduling for clinic employment.”
🎓
Private College

Vancouver Career College

Burnaby

Duration36 weeks
TuitionAbout $13,600 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Career college program in Burnaby with clinical practicum training in medical billing and clinic operations.”
🎓
Private College

Western Community College

Abbotsford & Surrey

Duration24 weeks
TuitionAbout $7,000 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“24-week career college certificate in Surrey and Abbotsford with hands-on medical office practicum placement.”

Official Sources

Last verified · September 2026