By skyforbes 
When I first looked into becoming a Medical Assistant, I wanted to know if Stepful was legit. A year later, not only did I complete the program, but I also earned back my tuition, and more. In this review, I’ll share my honest experience with Stepful’s CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) program: what worked, what didn’t, and how I ended up making nearly $5,000 back through their referral system.
Disclaimer: I do not work for Stepful. This is my personal review of my own experience. Everyone’s journey will be different.
Why I Chose Stepful
Back in 2024, I wanted to start my path toward becoming a PA (Physician Assistant). Since PA schools require clinical experience, I decided becoming a Medical Assistant was the best way in.
I came across Stepful through an Instagram ad. At the time, there wasn’t much information online but I took the plunge. The tuition was about $1,200 for a 4–5 month program.
How the Stepful Program Works
- Daily Assignments 👉 Critical for preparing for the NHA exam.
- Online Modules + Live Classes 👉 2x per week on Zoom, with group and individual projects.
- Instructors 👉 My instructor (shoutout Dr. R!) were engaging and supportive.
The NHA Exam (My Biggest Tip)
The program is designed to prepare you for the NHA exam. You can take it online or in person. My advice: take it in person. Online testing can be glitchy, a dropped internet connection can auto-submit your exam and then you’re SOL. (NOTE: You can retake the exam after 30 days but you’ll have to pay for the exam again).
Externships at Stepful
Stepful does offer externships, which are highly recommended even though they aren’t required. They help you get real clinical experience. You can do:
- 2 weeks full-time
- 4 weeks part-time
In my case, timing didn’t work out because I already had a full time job as a teacher, but many students successfully land externships through Stepful’s support.
The Cost (and How I Made $5,000 Back)
The tuition was around $1,200. But here’s where Stepful stands out: they give you a referral link.
Whenever someone signs up through your link and attends class, you receive a $300 Virtual Visa gift card (usable almost anywhere).
That alone has paid for the program 10x over. Between referrals and continued interest from people who ask me about Stepful, I’ve made nearly $5,000 back — long after I finished the program. Heck, with the virtual gift cards, I was able to buy two computers: one Mac Mini M4 and the very laptop (Macbook Air) that I’m writing this review on.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable compared to college programs
- Flexible online structure
- Strong exam prep with daily assignments
- Referral program can literally pay back your tuition
Cons:
- Limited hands-on skills (since it’s online)
- Externship availability depends on your location
- Online NHA exam is risky if your internet isn’t stable
Final Verdict: Is Stepful Worth It?
If you want to become a Medical Assistant and prefer online learning over community college, Stepful is a solid option. It’s affordable, accessible, and effective at getting you exam-ready.
For me, it was worth it not only for the training but also because the referral program turned it into a side hustle.
👉 Ready to try Stepful? Click here to enroll with my referral link and get started today.
Prefer watching instead of reading? Here’s my Stepful vlog where I explain how I made $5K back from the program:
Learn more about Stepful Review 2025: How I Made $5,000 Taking Their Medical Assistant Program