ASBN - Medication Assistant (Certified) Arkansas Department of Health

ASBN - Medication Assistant (Certified)

Act 1423 of the 2005 Arkansas legislative session authorized the use of trained and certified medication assistants in nursing homes in Arkansas. In June 2021, the Rules were updated to authorize the use of Medication Assistants-Certified 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. Medication Assistants 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-C education program and pass a certification exam, before being allowed to function in the role of Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C) in a designated facility.

Approved MA-C Programs

Arkansas Northeastern College – Blytheville
2501 S. Division St.
PO Box 1109
Blytheville, AR 72316
Brenda Holifield, Dean
bholifield@smail.anc.edu
870-740-2908

Arkansas State University – Mountain Home
1600 So. College
Mtn. Home, AR 72653
Dr. Julia Gist, Dean
jgist@asumh.edu
870-508-6154

Arkansas State University – Newport
7648 Victory Blvd.
Newport, AR 72112
Judith Coggin, Instructor
Judith_coggin@asun.edu
870-512-7729

East Arkansas Community College – Forrest City
1700 New Castle Road
Forrest City, AR 72335
Dr. Terri Moody, Director
tmoody@eacc.edu
870-633-4480

University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College – North Little Rock
3000 West Scenic Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
Talayia Johnson, Director
tajohnson@uaptc.edu
501-812-2286

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.

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

This Application is for an individual that has completed Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C) training from an Arkansas MA-C program.
It is NOT an application for an Arkansas MA-C endorsement, 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 at www.arsbn.org.
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
  - For current fees go to https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arsbn-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 Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C) in Arkansas, the following must be submitted to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing:
  - Completion of an Arkansas approved medication assistant training program (a minimum of 100 classroom and clinical hours) or has completed a portion of a nursing education program equivalent to the Medication Assistant Training course;
    - 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
      - Is currently listed in good standing on the state's nurse aide registry;
      - Has maintained registration on the state's certified nurse aide registry continuously for a minimum of one (1) year;
      - Has completed at least one (1) continuous year of full-time experience as a certified nurse aide in this state;
      - Is currently employed at a designated facility;
      - Has a high school diploma or the equivalent;
      - Has successfully completed a literacy and reading comprehension screening process approved by the Board; and
      - Has successfully completed a medication assistant certified training course approved by the Board;
  - Passing scores from a medication assistant certification examination administered by the testing vendor D & S Diversified Technologies.
4. Registration for testing
  - Register for Medication Assistant – Certified testing by accessing D & S Diversified Technologies website at http://hdmaster.com and completing the Arkansas CMA Medication Assistant Exam.
  - The medication assistant certified training program that you completed should provide you with the school’s five-digit program code.

Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C) Endorsement Application (required for individuals that have completed Medication Assistant Certified training from another state and are applying for MA-C in Arkansas):

This Application is for an individual that has completed Medication Aide Certified (MA-C) training from another state and is making an application for MA-C in Arkansas.
It is NOT an application for an Arkansas MA-C renewal, Initial MA-C exam, or any type of nursing application.
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. Additional instructions are located within the online system as you progress through the application process.
Click here for additional information located on our website at www.arsbn.org.
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 by mail, please attach a cover page.
    - Click here for the cover page.
2. Fee Information
  - Click here for 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.
3. Qualifications
  In order to be certified as a Medication Assistant-Certified (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 100 classroom and clinical hours);
  - Pass a medication assistant certification examination substantially similar to the Arkansas exam.
4. Employer validation
  - Submit a notarized statement from your most recent nursing home employer validating that you:
    - Have maintained registration on the state's certified nurse aide registry for a minimum of one year and you are currently listed in good standing on the registry;
    - Have completed at least one (1) continuous year of full-time experience in a nursing home.
5. Verification Form
  - Submit the verification form (Click here to download form) to the certifying agency in the state where you were originally certified. Supply your full name, current address, and original certification number so that your records can be readily 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).
6. Open Book Test
  - Prior to being endorsed, persons seeking endorsement must score a minimum of 90% on an open book test related to the contents of the medication assistant chapter of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s Rules. If the applicant scores less than 90% on this test, the applicant may take the alternate form of the open book test. Failure of the alternate test will result in denial of endorsement. Contact ASBN regarding the Open Book Test.