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ASBN – Medication Assistant

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Medication Assistant Information

Act 1423 of the 2005 Arkansas legislative session authorized the use of trained Medication Assistants Certified (MA-Cs) in nursing homes in Arkansas. In June 2021, the Rules were updated to authorize the use of MA-Css in designated facilities in Arkansas. A designated facility is defined as any Board approved facility to include a nursing home or a facility operated as a local correctional facility as defined by ACA §12-41-107.  Additionally, Act 265 of the 2025 Arkansas legislative session expanded the MA-C scope of work to allow the administration of inhalation (oxygen) and subcutaneous injection of insulin. Effective August 1, 2025, any individuals who were previously titled as a Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C) may now choose to continue to use that title or use the title Certified Medication Assistant (CMA). Arkansas CMA/MA-C education programs began incorporating the expanded scope of work training in curriculum plans on September 1, 2025, with the additional testing over oxygen inhalation and subcutaneous injection of insulin beginning October 1, 2025.

All CMA/MA-Cs are required to successfully complete an education program and pass a certification exam; or complete a portion of a nursing education program equivalent to the MA-Cs education program and pass a certification exam, before being allowed to function in the role of a CMA/MA-C in a designated facility. All individuals must take the certification exam within 90 days of completing the program, with up to two retakes allowed within six months. In addition, those certified individuals will be required to obtain the minimum guideline training outline in the Inhalation and Insulin Training Guidelines to lawfully be able to administer oxygen inhalations and subcutaneous injections of insulin. Individuals seeking endorsement of certification from another state will be required to complete the additional training if proof of training on inhalation of oxygen and administration of subcutaneous insulin is not provided.

All guidelines for Certified Medication Assistants are under the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules (Title 17. Chapter XXII. Part 127. Certified Medication Assistant) or under Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-87-701 through § 17-87-708.

Approved CMA/MA-C Programs

Arkansas Health Care Association
School Code – 0016
1401 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 180
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 374-4422
AHCA MAC Program – [email protected]

Arkansas State University – Beebe
School Code – 0013
1800 East Moore Ave
Searcy, AR  72145
(501) 207-6255

Arkansas State University – Newport
School Code – 0007
7648 Victory Blvd.
Newport, AR  72112
870-512-7869

Arkansas Tech University – Ozark
School Code – 0014
1700 Helberg Lane
Ozark, AR 72949
479-508-8500, ext 6352

National Park College
School Code – 0001
101 College Drive
Hot Springs, AR 71914
501-760-4183

Northwest Technical Institute
School Code – 0010
709 South Old Missouri Road
Springdale, AR  72764
(479) 751-8824 ext 123

South Arkansas College
School Code –  0017
3696 East Main Street
El Dorado, AR  71730
870-864-8480

University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton
School Code – 0015
1537 University Blvd
Morrilton, AR 72110
501-977-2063

University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College
School Code – 0002
1700 New Castle Road
Forrest City, AR 72335
Telephone:870-633-4480, ext. 452, Fax: (870) 633-7222

University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College – North Little Rock
School Code – 0012
3000 West Scenic Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
501-812-2286

Medication Assistant Program Pass Rates

Certification

Welcome to Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN). The information contained herein is designed to assist you with the information you need to begin the application process. Read the instructions and provide all required documentation. ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

THE FIRST STEP in application submission is to create an account in the Arkansas Nurse Portal.

Click HERE to view the video for instructions on the CREATION OF AN ARKANSAS NURSE PORTAL ACCOUNT.

Once you have created your Nurse Portal account, sign in to your Nurse Portal account to submit an application.  

Once you have submitted an application, you may monitor the status of your application by accessing your Nurse Portal account and clicking on view status.

Click HERE to view the video for instructions on How to Check Application Status.

Certification Application Information

For more information about a specific application, click on the respective application name listed below.

Certified Medication Assistant//Medication Assistant-Certified Initial Application (required for individuals who have completed CMA/MA-C training from an approved Arkansas Medication Assistant program):

  • This Application is for an individual that has completed Medication Assistant training from an Arkansas CMA/MA-C program.
    It is NOT an application for an Arkansas CMA/MA-C endorsement, CMA/MA-C renewal, or any type of nursing application.
    The information contained herein is designed to assist you with what is needed to begin the application process. Read the instructions and provide all required documents. Additional instructions are located within the online system as you progress through the application process.
    Click here for additional information located on our website.
  • General Instructions
    The following 1- 4 is required:
    1. Application Information
      • ASBN Application
        • After completing all fields on a page click the “Save and Continue” button to proceed to the next page or click the “Save and Return to Home” button if you need to exit the application and return at a later time.
        • If you need to change information entered in an area, you are provided an opportunity to edit information prior to submitting the application.
        • No application is complete until submitted and all required documentation and fees are received. Completed applications are valid for one year from the date of submission.
        • If you are required to submit any documents, upload them through your Arkansas Nurse Portal.
    2. Fee Information
      • Current fees
      • The accepted method of payment is with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover).
      • Verify that the charges are correct before submitting an application.
      • ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
      • You will receive a payment receipt by email which should be printed as proof of payment.
      • An additional registration fee is paid to the testing vendor.
    3. ​Qualifications
      In order to be certified as a CMA/MA-C in Arkansas, the following must be submitted to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing:
      • Completion of an approved program is validated by submission of the Certificate of Completion form from the Program Director/Chairman. This form is certification from the Program Director or Chairman to verify a student’s qualifications and graduation status after they have completed the program. It includes that the individual
        • Successfully complete an ASBN-approved medication assistant training program with at least 115 combined classroom, clinical, and lab hours. Nursing students who have completed equivalent coursework are considered qualified.
        • Be listed in good standing on the Arkansas Certified Nurse Aide Registry.
        • Is currently employed at a designated facility.
        • Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
        • Successfully complete a literacy and reading comprehension screening approved by ASBN.
        • Pass the certification exam approved by the board.
        • Any CMA/MA-C that completed training prior to September 1,2025, and who wants to administer oxygen and subcutaneous insulin injections, must complete an additional 15 hours of training and submit evidence to the Board.
        • Passing scores from a medication assistant certification examination administered by the testing vendor D & S Diversified Technologies.
      • ​Registration for testing
        • Register for CMA/MA-C testing by accessing D & S Diversified Technologies website at http://hdmaster.com and completing the Arkansas CMA/MA-C Medication Assistant Exam.
        • The CMA/MA-C training program that you completed should provide you with the school’s five-digit program code.

Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) Endorsement Application 

(required for individuals who have completed medication assistant training from another state and are applying for CMA/MA-C in Arkansas):

  • Before applying for endorsement, contact the ASBN to ensure your previous training/certification matches requirements for endorsement.  All fees paid for endorsement are not refundable.
  • This Application is for an individual who has completed medication assistant training from another state and is making an application for CMA/MA-C in Arkansas.
  • It is NOT an application for an Arkansas CMA/MA-C renewal, an Initial CMA/MA-C exam, or any type of nursing application.
  • The information contained herein is designed to assist you with the information needed to begin the application process. Read the instructions and provide all required documentation. Additional instructions are located within the online system as you progress through the application process.
  • Click here for additional information located on our website.
  • General Instructions
    1. Application Information
      • ASBN Application
        • After completing all fields on a page click the “Save and Continue” button to proceed to the next page or click the “Save and Return to Home” button if you need to exit the application and return at a later time. 
        • If you need to change information entered in an area, you are provided an opportunity to edit information prior to submitting the application. 
        • No application is complete until submitted and all required documentation and fees are received. Completed applications are valid for one year from the date of submission.
        • If you are required to submit any documents, upload them through your Arkansas Nurse Portal.
    2. Verification Form
      1. Submit the verification form of the original certification to the certifying agency in the state where you were originally certified.  Supply your name, current address, and original certification number so you records can be easily located.  The certifying agency will complete the form and return it directly to the ASBN office (The certifying agency may charge a fee for this service).
    3. Fee Information
      • Current fees. 
      • The accepted method of payment is with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). 
      • Verify that the charges are correct before submitting an application. 
      • ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
      • You will receive a payment receipt by email which should be printed as proof of payment.
    4. Qualifications
      In order to be certified as a CMA/MA-C in Arkansas, you must submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing written evidence you:
      • Have a high-school diploma or equivalent;
      • Completion of a medication assistant training program substantially similar to Arkansas approved programs (a minimum of 115 classroom and clinical hours);
      • Pass a medication assistant certification examination substantially similar to the Arkansas exam.
    5. Employer Verification
      • Submit the Verification of Employment form to your most recent nursing home employer for completion. This form validates that you are currently listed in good standing on the state’s certified nurse aid registry. 
    6. Scope of Work course
      • Prior to being endorsed, persons seeking endorsement must complete the Board-approved CMA/MA-C Scope of Work course and score a minimum of 80% on a post-test related to the contents of the medication assistant chapter of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s Rules. Contact ASBN through the message center regarding the post-test.
    7. Inhalation and Insulin Training
      • Act 265 of the 2025 Arkansas legislative session expanded the CMA/MA-C scope of work to allow the administration of inhalation (oxygen) and subcutaneous injection of insulin. Any individual seeking CMA/MA-C endorsement whose initial certification program did not include inhalation and insulin specific training, may contact an approved Arkansas CMA/MA-C program to complete the additional training.  That CMA/MA-C program director or designee will submit the verification form of successful completion of the additional training to the ASBN.  Upon receipt of that verification form, the individual’s AR certification will be noted on the registry signifying the competency.

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