CMA Course
Certified Medication Aide 

Q1: Will periodic re-certification in medication administration be required for CMA’s?

A1: Yes. Every two years. Re-certification requirements can be found at N.J.A.C 8:36-9.2(d)

Q2: If a trainee completes the medication administration-training course but fails the statewide examination, can the examination be repeated?

A2: The examination may be taken three times. If the trainee fails to pass the examination on the third try, the training course must be repeated.

Q3: Can Person Care Assistants (PCAs) or Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) who are not Certified Medication Aides (CMAs) supervise the self-administration of medications by a resident?

A3: Yes. As long as that designated employee has been appropriately trained by the registered professional nurse, and the training is appropriately documented.

Q4: Can CMAs administer medications in Adult/Pediatric Day Care facilities?

A4: No. As of February 5, 2003, CMAs may only administer medications in Assisted Living Residences, Comprehensive Personal Care Homes, Assisted Living Programs, and Alternate Family Care Homes.

Q5: What is the minimum age for a CALA, CMA, CNA, HHHA, and PCA?
A5:
- Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA)- 21 
- Certified Medication Aide (CMA)- not specified
- Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A)- not specified
- Health Aide (HHHA)- not specified
- Personal Care assistant (PCA)- not specified

Q6: What happened if I lost my certificate of attendance for the Train-the-Trainer Workshop?

A6: DHSS does not keep copies of attendee’s certificates. Please make several photocopies of this certificate, in the event facilities or DHSS surveyors request it. Our database goes back to 1995 Train-the –Trainer Workshops. However, we have found that all names may not be entered, and therefore the Certification Program cannot always validate attendance. Instructors, who attended a Workshop more than 5 years ago, may want to attend a current Workshop, since regulations and the Trainer/Trainee Manuals have been updated since that time.

Q7: May CMAs or those having a designation such as a Medication Tech, reciprocated from other states?

A7: No. New Jersey law has no provision for CMA reciprocity. If the individual is a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A) from another state, the C.N.A would need to first complete the reciprocity process for C.N.A. in New Jersey (call PSI at 1-800-274-5984) to obtain a reciprocity package, which includes:

* Green fingerprint appointment form
* CBI application
* NNAAP Nurse Aide/Personal Care Assistant Exam Application
* Nurse Aide & Personal Care Assistant Candidate Handbook
* The aide must complete the Medication Aide course conducted by the registered professional nurse and pharmacist; successfully pass a competency evaluation (3-4 mediation pass observations by the registered professional nurse and/or pharmacist); and, successfully pass the Person VUE CMA written examination.

Q8: What if I fail the state test?

A8: If you fail the examination three (3) times, you will be required to retake a medication aide training program approved by the NJDHSS, schedule a new reservation for the exam and submit a new fee.