How to Become a Certified Medication Aide in Your State

Certified medication aides — also known as certified medication technicians, registered medication aides, medtechs (also spelled med techs), and medaides — play an important role in patient care. Below we share an overview of what a certified medication aide does and what the different qualifications are to become a certified medication aide in specific states in the U.S.

What Is a Certified Medication Aide?

Certified medication aides, certified medication technicians, medtechs, and medaides are certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who have completed additional training that allows them to give medications to patients, or to support patient self-administration of medication. This may be done at a doctor’s or nurse’s request, or meds may be given on a set schedule.

Where Do Medication Aides Work?

Certified medication aides work in hospitals and health facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. In some states, medication aides perform the same patient care duties as CNAs, as well as give medications.

The metropolitan areas that employ the most nursing assistants such as medication aides are:

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Philadelphia
• Boston

If you’re a CNA and want to gain more experience so that you can become a certified medication aide, you can find great jobs for CNAs on IntelyCare.

What Does a Medication Aide Do*? 

Certified medication aide duties vary. Under the supervision of a registered nurse, medication aides are responsible for:

• Providing patients with medications.
• Ensuring that the correct medications are given at the right time.
• Ensuring that the correct dosage of each medication is given.
• Documenting each of the medications being administered and recording dosages and times given.
• Guiding patients on how to take medications properly.
• Reporting any patient changes or adverse reactions to the supervising RN or physician.

A medication aide also must make sure that medications are delivered the correct way — for example, with food or with water.

Outside of administering medications, certified medication aides, certified medication technicians, med techs, and medaides also play a vital role in medication management by collaborating with the pharmacy to ensure medication availability and by performing medication cart audits. Medication aides also monitor patients and communicate with providers, nurses, and leadership regarding any changes observed in patient condition. They may also gather patient samples for analysis.

As frontline team members, medaides may be invited to care plan and interdisciplinary meetings. Lastly, they may respond to patient incidents and (with proper certification) administer CPR and first aid if needed.

Extreme attention to detail, timeliness, communication, and astute observation skills are necessary to be a medication aide. Like every nursing professional, excellent interpersonal skills and a desire to help people are essential skills for success as a medaide.

*The job actions above are examples. Be sure to check with your state board of nursing/regulatory body for the full scope of practice for medication aides in your state. As always, be sure to check the specific job description in the location you plan to work for more details.

How to Get Medication Aide Certification in Your State

Every state in the U.S. has their own specific requirements for how to become a certified medication aide. In many states, you need to be a CNA or state tested nursing assistant (STNA) first, with a required number of months or years of experience stipulated by the respective state board of nursing.

How to Become a Certified Medication Aide: 3 Steps

To learn how to become a certified medication aide in your area, you’ll need to refer to the requirements in the state where you plan to work. Generally, CMAs need to complete these steps to practice:

Step 1: Compete a high school diploma or GED

Secondary education is required to practice in the medical field. This ensures you meet basic requirements for math, science, reading and language competency skills, and more.

Step 2: Compete minimum work hours as a CNA/STNA

Most states require that medication aides first have some experience as a nursing assistant or aide. This is not required in every state — some allow you to go straight to medication aide training without being a CNA first. Check with your state’s requirements in the list below to learn more.

Step 3: Go through a medication aide training program

You may be able to go through certified medication aide training online or in traditional classrooms. Programs are offered through technical institutes, community colleges, and private training institutions. Depending on the program and pacing, these typically take a few weeks to several months.

Step 4: Pass a state board exam

Once you complete a program, you’ll need to pass a competency exam before beginning work as a certified medication aide. Many states use the online MACE exam by the National Council for State Boards of Nursing. In most states, the board of nursing oversees the med tech certification and licensure process.

As mentioned, each state has slightly different requirements to become a certified medication aide. Not every state utilizes the CMA option in skilled nursing facilities. If your state is not listed below, the option for working as a CMA may not be utilized at this time.

Med Tech Certification Requirements by State** 

**Note: The links here are for convenience, however for the most accurate and current information, please contact your state board of nursing. 

Ready for a Certified Medication Aide Job That Fits Your Life?

Certified medication aides play a vital role on the frontlines of patient care, but are usually overworked and underpaid. Ready for a better job? Check out all the certified medication aide jobs and find the right ones that interest you and meet your needs.