What is a Certified Medication Aide?

A Certified Medication Aide (CMA) is an employee of a long-term care facility who has successfully completed the required training and competency testing developed by the Department to administer medications to residents of long-term care facilities.

To enter the training program a CMA must be:

• A certified nurse aide (CNA) with a current certification.
• Currently employed by a long-term care facility.
• At least 18 years of age. 
• A high school graduate or holder of a general education development (GED) certification.

The CMA is:

• Authorized to administer medications in a long-term care facility provided they are under the supervision of an RN, LPN, nurse practitioner, or physician.  
• Authorized to administer prescription or non-prescription drugs via oral, sublingual, buccal, inhalation, spray on oral mucosa, topical, nasal, ocular, or otic routes.
• Prohibited from administering any narcotic drug.