This webpage offers general information for pre-applicants and those exploring the profession. Our office is available to advise UC Davis students and alumni who are exploring or pursuing allied health professions. For UC Davis students and alumni, allied health may be your calling and/or a way to build your experiences and competencies.
Allied health is comprised of a broad group of specialized health professions that diagnose, evaluate, treat, and prevent diseases as well as promote wellness, provide essential patient care services, and apply administration and management skills to support health systems in various healthcare settings.
Professions that are often listed as allied health include, but is not limited to: dental assistants, dental hygienists, medical assistants, scribes, licensed-vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, phlebotomists, veterinary technicians, pharmacy technicians, optician, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dental lab technicians, respiratory therapists, radiology technician, diagnostic sonographer, and more. Typically, allied health professions do not require a graduate-level or doctoral-level degree.
While allied health is an umbrella term for various professions, each allied health profession is unique with its program prerequisite requirements, program fees, program length, accreditation, certification/licensure process, and more. As a result, HPA recommends for students to research their career and programs of interest.
Of the factors that HPA mentioned above, a program’s accreditation status is one that is often overlooked. Accreditation status is a crucial component because it impacts the student’s (in)eligibility for certification/licensure and job opportunities. You can learn more about why accreditation is important by visiting CAAHEP: Why Accreditation is Important. You can often find more information about your program’s accreditation on their program’s website and who the accreditation commission is as well.
Please note that aside from the EMT Certification Program through UC Davis Fire Department, UC Davis does not offer programs for allied health careers.
- Pharmacy Technician
- A pharmacy technician works closely with the pharmacist to dispense and prepare medications, process insurance claims, pack and label prescriptions, and perform other administrative tasks. To learn more, click here to visit the National Pharmacy Technician Association.
Websites:
PTCB's Recognized Education/Training Program Directory
NPTA's Become A Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Registered Dental Assistant
- A registered dental assistant helps dentists with a variety of tasks, such as welcoming patients, scheduling appointments, preparing treatments and instruments, taking dental x-rays, patient education, and more. To learn more, click here to visit the Dental Assisting National Board: Become a Dental Assistant.
Websites:
Dental Board of CA's Approved Educational Programs and Courses
Dental Board of CA's How to Become a Registered Dental Assistant
Many dental clinics will require a Registered Dental Assistant License. However, there are a few that provide training to work towards becoming a Registered or Certified Dental Assistant. - Dental Hygienist
- A dental hygienist works with dentists to perform teeth cleanings and preventative dental care for patients. They perform procedures like taking medical history and vital signs, scaling and polishing teeth, dental x-rays, and oral disease screenings. To learn more, click here to visit the American Dental Hygienists' Association: Become a Dental Hygienist.
Websites:
CDHA's Dental Hygiene Schools
JCNDE's Certification Info about the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
Certification may not be required. Some medical offices only require a High School Diploma or GED and provide on-the-job training. - Dental Laboratory Technician
- A dental laboratory technician assists the dentist by creating and repairing dental devices like crowns, retainers, dentures, veneers, and other dental appliances.
Websites:
NBC's Recognized Educational Institution Directory
No certification required. - Phlebotomist
- A phlebotomist performs blood draws and collection for testing, donation, and transfusions. Tasks may include capillary puncture like heel pricks or finger pricks, venipuncture, and sending samples to the laboratory. To learn more, visit the National Healthcareer Association: Your Path to Phlebotomy Certification.
Websites:
CDPH's List of Approved Phlebotomy Training Schools
CDPH's Info about the Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certificate - Medical Assistant
- A medical assistant works closely with physicians or other health professionals to perform various clinical and administrative tasks, such as vital assessments, performing EKG, administering injections or medications, answering phone calls, and updating electronic health records (EHR). To learn more, visit the National Healthcareer Association: NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Websites:
CAAHEP's Find an Accredited Program
AAMA's Info about Certification
Certification may not be required. Some medical offices only require a High School Diploma or GED and provide on-the-job training. - Certified Nursing Assistant
- A certified nursing assistant works under the supervision of licensed nurses or other health professionals to enhance patient care and safety. Their responsibilities may include helping with patient hygiene and daily needs, taking vitals, and maintaining cleanliness throughout the workplace. To learn more, visit the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Websites:
CDPH's Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Training Programs
CDPH's Licensing and Certification Info for CNAs - Licensed Vocational Nurse
- A licensed vocational nurse works under the supervision of licensed nurses or other health professionals with a focus on medical care for patients. They perform similar duties as a CNA, but have a wider scope which includes specimen collection, medication administration, and assisting with basic diagnostic tests. To learn more, visit the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN).
Websites:
DCA's Program Directory Search
BVNPT's LVNs Certification Info - Medical Scribe
- A medical scribe assists the physician by performing documentation in the electronic health records and gathering patient information during medical examinations.
Websites:
Certified Medical Scribe Professional (CMSP)
Certification may not be required. Some medical offices only require a High School Diploma or GED and provide on-the-job training. There are organizations that can help you get certification if you are interested in the certification. - Emergency Medical Technician
- An emergency medical technician provides emergency medical care outside of hospitals, including first aid, transportation, injury prevention, bleeding control, and more. To learn more, visit the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: EMT Certification.
Websites:
CA EMSA's EMT Information - Paramedic
- A paramedic is a first responder that performs emergency medical care and transports patients to hospitals. Compared to emergency medical technicians, they have a greater scope of care. Some tasks include drawing blood samples, maintaining IV fluids, CPR, EKGs, and administering medications. To learn more, visit the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: Paramedic Certification.
Website:
CA EMSA's Training Program Information - Diagnostic Sonographer
- A diagnostic sonographer assists physicians by utilizing imaging equipment and sound waves to produce sonographic (ultrasound) images to help with diagnosis and treatment. To learn more, visit the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): Sonography.
Websites:
CAAHEP's Find an Accredited Program
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers - Radiology Technician
- A radiology technician assists physicians by utilizing X-rays to produce images to help with diagnosis and treatment. To learn more, visit the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): What Do Radiologic Technologists Do?.
Websites:
CDPH's X-ray Schools and Training Programs
ARRT's What is AART Certification and Registration? - Registered Behavioral Technician
- A registered behavioral technician works with children and adults diagnosed with behavioral disorders, like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to enhance their social, communication, and behavioral skills through therapeutic treatment plans. To learn more, visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board: Registered Behavior Technician.
Websites:
BACB's Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Starting 2026, 40-hour training is required to take the RBT certification exam. (Find more information on page 3 and 4 of the RBT Handbook) - Physical Therapist Assistant
- A physical therapy assistant works under the supervision of a physical therapist to implement treatment plans, record patient progress, and perform modalities. To learn more, visit the American Physical Therapy Association: Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Websites:
APTA's Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant
APTA's PTA to PT Career Transition
CAPTE's Accredited PT & PTA Programs Directory - Physical Therapy Aide
- A physical therapy aide supports physical therapists and physical therapy assistants by handling administrative tasks, preparing equipment, cleaning treatment areas, and ensuring the clinic runs smoothly.
Certification may not be required. Most physical therapy offices only require a High School Diploma or GED and provide on-the-job training. - Occupational Therapist Assistant
- An occupational therapy assistant works under the supervision of an occupational therapist to prepare treatment, lead therapeutic activities, record patients’ progress, and perform administrative tasks. To learn more, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association: Become an Occupational Therapy Practitioner.
Websites:
AOTA's Become an occupational therapy practitioner (NOTE: this is combo info of OT and OTA)
CBOT's OTA Schools in California - Occupational Therapy Aide
- An occupational therapy aide provides support to an occupational therapist by supporting patients during appointments, transporting patients to treatment areas, and performing administrative tasks.
Certification may not be required. Most occupational therapy offices only require a High School Diploma or GED and provide on-the-job training. - Veterinarian Technician
- A veterinarian technician assists veterinarians by performing physical exams, collecting diagnostic samples, assisting with surgical procedures, and more. To learn more, visit the California Veterinary Medical Board: Registered Veterinary Technician Job Task Regulations.
Websites:
AVMA's Veterinary technology programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA
AAVSB's Preparing for a Veterinary Career
AAVSB's Veterinary Technician National Exam - Optician
- An optician assists optometrists in providing accurately prescribed eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other eyewear. To learn more, visit the OpticianEDU: How to Become an Optician in California.
Websites:
OpticianEDU's How to Become an Optician in California
ABO-NCLE's Certification Info