ApplyRequest Info

Medication Aide Licensing Boards

Following the successful completion of training, candidates for certification apply to the Alabama Board of Nursing to be certified through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The reciprocity process for the state of Alabama requires your employer to contact the State agency to have your name placed on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry.

No Medication Aide Job Title. A licensed prescriber, the prescriber's agent (RN/LPN), and persons who have successfully completed a medication administration course approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing may administer medications.

Requirements for Certified Medication Assistants in another state requesting CMA certification in Arizona, must request that the state registry where they're certified complete and send 'Verification of Medication Assistant Registration' directly to the Arizona Board of Nursing. State Contact Agencies - Medication Aide

In 2005, the Arkansas Act 1423 of the legislative session approved the use of medication assistants who were trained and certified in the state's nursing homes. Medication Assistants, also known as an MA-C, are first required to successfully finish an education program and pass a certification exam before being allowed to perform the responsibilities of a Medication Assistant Certified in a nursing home.

California does not have a job title for Medication Aide or a similar role.

The initial certification program consists of four components: Instruction in theory, laboratory practicum, written exam, and the on-site practicum.

For the process called reciprocity, an application and instructions can be obtained online by visiting the Delaware Nurse Aide Exam. You can also get a copy by calling the CNA Registry at (302) 421-7403.

For Certification by Reciprocity, the requirements are as follows (found in Section 464.203 of the Florida Statutes). You must:

  • currently be certified in another state AND
  • listed on that state's certified nursing assistant registry AND
  • not been found to have committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that state

(Reciprocity) The first thing to do is get in touch with your local State Nurse Aide Registry and request an “Application for Enrollment by Reciprocity.” As mentioned, most states have a reciprocity plan in place, which means you do not have to take a new state exam. Please note that this process is not identical state-to-state.

In Idaho, Medication Aides are called Medication Assistant Certified or MA-Cs for short. The MA-Cs cannot replace the licensed nurse's role in the administration of medications. In Idaho, the state requires that certain employers only hire medical assistants who have their national certification.

The Medication Aide Pilot Program was administered by IDFPR between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019. The Pilot has now ended. IDFPR is no longer accepting applications or issuing Medication Aide licenses. It is now issued through home.personvue.com/mace/il

The Qualified Medication Aide Certification Program ensures that individuals meet the requirements for a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) and are on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry. This program is administered by the Indiana State Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Education and Quality.

Iowa offers reciprocity to those who hold current active credentials in other states. Out-of-state applicants will use the registry application form.

Medication aides are allowed in nursing homes, which come under the definition of "adult care homes". They must first be certified nurse aides and undergo 60 hours of instruction.

Medication aides must be certified as nurse aides and always work under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Kentucky practices reciprocity.

In Louisiana, the reciprocity process allows an aide certified on a Nurse Aide Registry in one state to transfer the certification to another state.

An individual will not be eligible to endorse from out of state as a "medication technician". Individuals with "certified medicine aide" credentials, however, will be eligible for reciprocity.

The Massachusetts Medication Administration Program (MAP), jointly regulated by the Departments of Public Health, Mental Health, and Mental Retardation, allows CNAs to become certified medication aides in community programs.

The CNA must complete additional training and become certified through examination.

Some states have licensed and trained medication aides. Michigan is not on that list.

A Trained Medication Aide (TMA) Certificate is earned upon completion of the course and meeting all course guidelines. Please note: Individuals who wish to work as a TMA in a skilled nursing home or licensed boarding care facility must be on the Nursing Assistant Registry and have completed a Minnesota Department of Health-Approved Nursing Assistant program.

(Mississippi lets nurses administer medication). The MS Board of Nursing does not maintain a listing of specific medications acceptable for administration by registered nurses. When administering any medication, the licensed nurse should be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to the specific medication, including but not limited to, those of the FDA, DEA, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.

The nurse must determine which medication is appropriate to safely administer based on the nurse's education and competence, current standards of practice, and the facility's policies and procedures.

Those individuals meeting the requirement of the final exam must submit a written request to the DHSS to the address listed below. Each request must include a clear copy of the individual's social security card, return address, daytime telephone number, letter of endorsement, and a copy of their transcript.

The 2011 Montana Legislature enacted Chapter 392, Laws of 2011 (House Bill 377), an act providing for licensure of medication aides employed at long-term care facilities.

It is the opinion of the Nevada State Board of Nursing that a person who is certified as a nursing assistant in Nevada may deliver medications prepared and sealed in packages.

Required Training: A minimum of 50 hours of medication nursing assistant-related activities under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the 2 years immediately prior to the date of application. Continuing Education for MNA: 8 of the 24 required contact hours for LNA Licensure must be related to medication administration.

To be eligible for certification as a medication aide, you must be currently certified in New Jersey as a nurse aide, home health aide, or personal care assistant. In addition, you must comply with the following: If you do not pass the exam within six months of completing the training program, you will be required to retrain. New Jersey does NOT reciprocate with any other state's medication aide program.

The New York State Department of Health has contracted with Pearson VUE to administer the New York Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE). Pearson VUE & the NCSBN will report the results of the exam to the NY State Department of Health Home Care Worker Registry.

North Carolina does not list medication aides by reciprocity, endorsement, or transfer from other states. To be listed on the N.C. Medication Aide Registry, an out-of-state medication aide must pass a 24-hour N.C. Board of Nursing-approved medication aide training program and pass the state medication aide exam.

In North Dakota, a Medication Assistant starts off as a UAP, or Unlicensed Assistive Person. Registrants must have training and be listed on the North Dakota Aide Registry or be supervised by a properly licensed nurse.

The Board of Nursing regulates medication aide training programs in Ohio. This is a list of medication aide training programs approved by the Board.

In Oklahoma, a CMA is essentially a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who has completed additional hours of coursework to become licensed to dispense medication to patients, so long as they are under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Pennsylvania does not seem to have a true position of, or replicating that of Medication Aide. Medication Administration personnel are the closest found in the state of Pennsylvania.

A medication aide in Rhode Island can perform only those tasks and duties for which he/she has been trained and in which there is documentation of proficiency, as determined by the supervising licensed nurse.

A Medication Technician Certification program shall be initiated for selected unlicensed healthcare personnel (i.e., non-nursing staff) who provide medications to those receiving services in South Carolina.
Medication Technician Certification Overview

There are two parts to the Medication Aide competency test—a multiple-choice knowledge test and a skill test. Candidates must pass both parts of the test and meet all requirements of the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON) to be certified as a Medication Aide in Tennessee.

Military service members or veterans may have met some licensing requirements as a result of their military service or other training, knowledge, and experience.

* Vermont doesn't have an independent society for medical assistants, so you can learn more through the American Association for Medical Assistants

Becoming a Medication Aide in the state of Virginia The Virginia General Assembly passed a law in 2005 that required the Board of Nursing to regulate medication aides in Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) beginning July 2007.

A medication assistant certification offers you increased responsibility and a more significant role within your healthcare facility. Obtaining this certification gives you greater importance and alleviates pressure from the floor nurse, allowing them more time to assess clients, perform treatments, and document care.

In West Virginia, Medication Aides are known as 'Approved Medication Assistive Personnel' (AMAP).

Regulations allow unlicensed personnel to administer medications to nursing home residents if they have taken a Department of Health and Family Services approved medication administration program.

Despite repeated legislative efforts to create medication aides, Wyoming has failed thus far to officially recognize the position.