Under Kentucky law, the title "CMA" refers to Certified Medication Aides. CMAs are unlicensed professionals who work in long-term care facilities and help with medication administration. However, some institutions also offer a certification as Medical Assistants​. These roles are not the same. 

If you are considering either of these career paths, you should contact the educational institution to learn about the programs' differences. ​

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What are the roles of Certified Medication Aides?​

CMA I and CMA II credential holders may administer medications under the delegation of a nurse within the limits set forth in Kentucky Administrative Regulations, 201 KAR 20:700. 

CMA I can “administer oral or topical medication under the delegation of a nurse upon successful completion of a board approved examination that validates the competency of the topics covered by the CMA curriculum.” See, 201 KAR 20:700, Section 2(1)(b). 

The CMA II role includes the scope of practice of a CMA I (described above) additionally, they can “administer only insulin via preloaded insulin pen upon successful completion of a board approved program that validates the competency of administration of insulin via preloaded insulin pen.” See, 201 KAR 20:700, Section 2(2)(b).

• You may view 201 KAR 20:700 Medication aide training programs and credentialing of medication aides here. 
  
• You may view 201 KAR 20:400 Delegation of Nursing Tasks here.