7 Best PCT Schools in Fresno, CA

Fresno Adult School is a public adult education provider operated by Fresno Unified School District.

Its Certified Nursing Assistant program is one of the most direct and affordable ways for beginners to gain bedside patient-care experience in Fresno.

The program may be a good starting point for students who want to work in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, home health settings, or entry-level hospital support positions.

Students seeking broader PCT preparation can add phlebotomy and EKG training after completing the CNA course.

Programs Offered

The Certified Nursing Assistant program combines classroom lessons, hands-on skills practice, and supervised clinical training.

Students learn how to assist with bathing, grooming, feeding, mobility, vital signs, infection control, patient safety, confidentiality, and emotional support.

The course is designed to prepare students for California’s nursing assistant competency examination.

Medical terminology is recommended but is not always required before entering the program.

Applicants may need a physical examination, tuberculosis screening, immunization records, background clearance, and other healthcare documentation.

Tuition and Cost

The school does not consistently publish a current all-inclusive price.

Students should plan for approximately $800 to $1,500 when tuition, application fees, scrubs, equipment, health screenings, books, and state testing are included.

Workforce funding or sponsorship may be available to eligible students through local employment and training programs.

Program Length

The CNA program takes approximately 10 to 11 weeks.

Classes are generally offered on weekdays, with separate morning and afternoon schedules.

Fresno City College is a public community college located near central Fresno.

It offers a Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement that provides broader training than a basic CNA course.

This option may suit students who want an affordable college certificate, transferable credits, and clinical skills that can be used in medical offices, clinics, surgery centers, and some hospital departments.

Programs Offered

The 19-unit Clinical Medical Assistant certificate includes healthcare ethics, pharmacology, medical terminology, office laboratory procedures, diagnostic procedures, clinical skills, advanced clinical training, and work experience.

Students learn patient preparation, vital signs, specimen handling, basic laboratory testing, infection control, medical documentation, and assistance with examinations and treatments.

The final work-experience course allows students to practice in a healthcare setting.

This is not a dedicated PCT program, but the clinical content is relevant to patient-facing support positions.

Students interested in hospital PCT roles should ask whether they also need CNA certification, phlebotomy experience, EKG training, or Basic Life Support certification.

Tuition and Cost

California resident tuition is approximately $46 per unit.

Base tuition for the 19-unit certificate is therefore about $874.

After college fees, books, uniforms, equipment, health requirements, background screening, and transportation to the work-experience site, the total cost may be approximately $1,500 to $3,000.

Program Length

The certificate can usually be completed in two to three semesters.

Several core medical assisting courses are taken together during one semester, followed by a work-experience course.

CALRegional offers an accelerated Clinical Medical Assistant program through a Fresno-area partner location.

It is designed for beginners who want short-term healthcare training without committing to a traditional academic year.

The program includes online learning, instructor-led lessons, hands-on laboratory practice, and an externship.

Programs Offered

Students study medical terminology, anatomy, vital signs, patient preparation, infection control, specimen collection, medication procedures, basic laboratory testing, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, and medical office responsibilities.

The program includes 160 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction followed by a 160-hour externship.

Graduates may be prepared to pursue a national clinical medical assistant certification, provided they meet the certification organization’s requirements.

Although the program is focused on medical assisting, its phlebotomy, EKG, and direct patient-care components overlap with many PCT job duties.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $2,995 or less. Interest-free payment plans are generally available.

Students should confirm whether textbooks, scrubs, equipment, background screening, health requirements, and the certification examination are included in the advertised price.

Program Length

Classroom and laboratory training takes approximately eight to 10 weeks.

The 160-hour externship normally adds about four weeks of full-time clinical experience.

Day, evening, or weekend schedules may be available depending on the upcoming class.

Clovis Community College is a public college located northeast of Fresno.

Its Training Institute offers a focused phlebotomy program for students who want blood-drawing skills and supervised clinical experience.

The program can be useful for CNAs, medical assistants, or other healthcare workers who want to strengthen their qualifications for PCT-related positions.

Programs Offered

The phlebotomy program includes anatomy, infection control, laboratory safety, blood collection procedures, specimen handling, patient complications, and legal responsibilities.

Students complete 48 hours of theory and 120 hours of clinical training.

Clinical requirements include at least 100 successful venipunctures, 25 skin punctures, and two arterial observations.

Applicants need a high school diploma or GED for California phlebotomy licensure.

They must also complete CPR training, background screening, drug testing, and required health documentation.

Tuition and Cost

The registration fee is approximately $3,395.

Books, scrubs, CPR, liability insurance, background screening, drug testing, immunizations, laboratory tests, and certification expenses are paid separately.

The total cost may reach approximately $3,800 to $4,500.

Program Length

The complete program includes 168 hours.

The theory portion may be completed in six to eight weeks, followed by the clinical rotation.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private healthcare college with a Fresno campus.

Its Medical Assistant certificate provides extensive clinical training, including patient-care skills, phlebotomy, and a substantial externship.

It may be a good fit for students who want an intensive private-college program with frequent start dates and financial aid options for those who qualify.

Programs Offered

The curriculum covers medical terminology, patient education, anatomy, first aid, administrative procedures, clinical foundations, phlebotomy, laboratory skills, and back-office patient care.

Students complete 180 hours of clinical externship training.

The program also includes preparation for a national clinical medical assistant certification exam.

Medical assistant training is not identical to a PCT program.

Students planning to work in a hospital should check whether local employers require CNA registration, BLS certification, or previous inpatient experience.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition and program fees are approximately $14,328.

Books are estimated at $150, and a laptop fee may add about $450.

Transportation, housing, and ordinary living expenses are not part of the direct school price.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

The program takes approximately eight months, or 30 instructional weeks.

It includes about 949 total hours when classroom, laboratory, and externship training are combined.

Institute of Technology operates a campus in Clovis that serves students from Fresno and the surrounding area.

Its Professional Medical Assistant diploma is a longer career-school option offering both clinical and administrative training.

Programs Offered

Students learn anatomy, venipuncture, EKG procedures, injections, emergency procedures, medical documentation, insurance processing, medical office management, and patient communication.

The curriculum includes hands-on training and an externship.

Tuition also includes the fee for a clinical medical assistant certification exam.

The school lists Patient Care Technician as one possible related occupational path, but job requirements vary.

Hospital employers may still expect CNA certification or inpatient experience.

Tuition and Cost

The estimated total program cost is approximately $21,164.

Students should request an itemized quote covering tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies, uniforms, certification testing, and required technology.

Financial aid may be available for students who qualify.

Program Length

The program includes 860 hours and 47.5 quarter credits.

Classes meet Monday through Thursday for approximately 40 weeks, or about nine to 10 months.

UEI College is a private career college with a Fresno campus.

Its Medical Assistant diploma is designed for students seeking a structured hybrid program with laboratory practice and an externship.

Programs Offered

Training covers vital signs, patient preparation, medical terminology, infection control, laboratory procedures, diagnostic testing, medical records, administrative responsibilities, and assistance with clinical procedures.

Students complete hands-on laboratory training and a clinical externship in a healthcare facility.

The program provides useful patient-care experience, but it does not replace California CNA training when an employer specifically requires nursing assistant certification.

Tuition and Cost

Published tuition is approximately $20,900.

Students should verify whether textbooks, scrubs, laboratory supplies, technology, background screening, health documentation, and certification testing are included.

Financial aid and payment options may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

The Medical Assistant diploma includes approximately 810 hours and can be completed in as few as 10 months.

The program uses a hybrid format that combines online coursework with in-person laboratory instruction and an externship.